Rattlesnake Avoidance w/ Animal Experts

July Schedule for Rattlesnake Avoidance Training!
Sonoran Toad Aversion training is in full swing!

July 6th Saturday AM - Holy Cow Tack & Feed
Tanque Verde/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520-347-5452

July 11th Thursday PM - Bark Ave Dog Wash
Speedway/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520-546-2275

July 13th Saturday AM - Madera Vet
Valencia/Houghton, Rita Ranch, #520-574-370

July 14th Sunday AM - Shangri-La Dog Park
Tanque Verde/Houghton, E. Tucson, #520-343-0263

July 21st Sunday AM - Holy Cow Tack & Feed
Tanque Verde/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520-347-5452

July 26th Friday AM - Shangri-La Dog Park
Tanque Verde/Houghton, E. Tucson, #520-343-0263

July 27th, Saturday AM - Mountain View Vet
Mary Ann Cleveland/Colossal Cave Rd, Vail, #520-762-0455

Visit the main website for a full schedule of available classes; www.animalexpertsinc.com
Tucson, AZ

A wonderful Sunday at Holy Cow doing Rattlesnake Avoidance training! A great mixed batch of new trainings and retest dogs, who all passed their walk through!
We recommend doing a retest atleast once yearly, just to ensure your pup still remembers training and is avoiding. If they need a lil reminder, that’s okay too! Many dogs may not see a rattlesnake in the year after training, a walk by is an easy way to bring it back to the forefront of their brains!

Check out previous post for June class schedule!

Animal Experts Inc, Tucson AZ

What a great day at Goin' to Grandma's in Hereford; we had nearly 30 dogs come through for Rattlesnake Avoidance Training today!
From city slicker dogs who have ever seen a snake, to training bird dogs who need to stay in the field, these pups did great today!

Animal Experts Inc, Tucson AZ

What a great day at Goin' to Grandma's in Hereford; we had nearly 30 dogs come through for Rattlesnake Avoidance Training today!
From 6months to 10years, these dogs did great and will be better equipped for a real snake encounter now!

Animal Experts Inc, Tucson AZ

Call Locations directly to schedule, or DM with any questions! Help keep your pups safe before a real encounter happens!

June 1st, Saturday AM - Goin' to Grandmas
Hereford, AZ, (Far South!) #520.378.6000

June 2nd Sunday AM - Holy Cow Tack & Feed
Tanque Verde/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520-347-5452

June 3rd Monday PM - Mountain View Vet
Mary Ann Cleveland/Colossal Cave Rd, Vail, #520-762-0455

June 8th Saturday AM - Madera Vet
Valencia/Houghton, Rita Ranch, #520-574-370

June 13th Thursday PM - Bark Ave Dog Wash
Speedway/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520-546-2275

June 15th Saturday AM- Mountain View Vet
Mary Ann Cleveland/Colossal Cave Rd, Vail, #520-762-0455

June 16th, Sunday AM - Shangri-La Dog Park
Tanque Verde/Houghton, E. Tucson, #520-343-0263

June 23rd, Sunday AM - Holy Cow Tack & Feed
Tanque Verde/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520-347-5452

June 28th, Friday AM - Shangri-La Dog Park
Tanque Verde/Houghton, E. Tucson, #520-343-0263

Visit the main website for a full schedule of available classes; www.animalexpertsinc.com

Tucson, AZ

Our Snake Handler found a special guest during training at our Mountain View Clinic location this weekend, an adorable h***y toad lizard!

We have also added a weekday evening class at this location once a month; Monday June 3rd 4-7p, appointments are half way full already!

(520) 762-0455 Mountain View Vet, Vail AZ
Mountain View Animal Clinic and Pet Hotel

Star students this week at Rattlesnake Avoidance! 🤩

Several of these guys were Retests, they have been through training in the past and did a no e-collar walk by of our muzzled rattlesnakes to show us they remember training and they still know how to avoid those rattlers! They did fantastic! 🐕🚫🐍

Always love the variety of breeds who come through training, and even better knowing that they’ll be staying safe out there in our desert environment! 🐕🚫🐍

Rattlesnake Avoidance Training, Tucson AZ
https://www.animalexpertsinc.com/snake-avoidance-training-schedule/

Just a few of the wonderful pups who did great at with our Rattlesnake Avoidance training!
🐕🚫🐍 6mo is minimum age, all the way up to Senior pups!

May Avoidance Class Dates; Contact Locations to Schedule
DM with any questions!

May 9th, Thursday PM - Bark Ave Dog Wash
Speedway/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520-546-2275

May 11th, Sunday AM - Holy Cow Tack & Feed
Tanque Verde/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520-347-5452

May 12th, Sunday AM - Shangri-La Dog Park
Tanque Verde/Houghton, E. Tucson, #520-343-0263

May 18th, Saturday AM - Mountain View Vet
Mary Ann Cleveland/Colossal Cave Rd, Vail, #520-762-0455

May 19th, Sunday AM - Holy Cow Tack & Feed
Tanque Verde/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520-347-5452

May 25th, Saturday AM - Madera Vet
Valencia/Houghton, Rita Ranch, #520-574-370

May 31st, Friday AM - Shangri-La Dog Park
Tanque Verde/Houghton, E. Tucson, #520-343-0263

June 1st, Saturday AM - Goin' to Grandmas
Hereford, AZ, (Far South!) #520.378.6000

Visit the main Animal Experts website for a Full Schedule through all of the Greater Tucson area!
www.animalexpertsinc.com/snake-avoidance-training-schedule

Did you know that we offer At-Home, Private Avoidance Training as well? Do you have several dogs, maybe a lot of neighbors, or just want training done at home, we can come to you!
Interested? Send a message for details!
🐶🚫🐍

April Avoidance Class Dates; Contact Locations to Schedule
DM with any questions!

April 6th, Saturday AM - Sunsites, AZ (Far South!)
Contact GV Canine, #520-449-3754

April 7th, Sunday AM - Holy Cow Tack & Feed
Tanque Verde/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520-347-5452

April 11th, Thursday AM - Ajo Vet Clinic
Ajo/I10, Midtown, #520-623-5728

April 13th, Saturday AM - Madera Vet
Valencia/Houghton, Rita Ranch, #520-574-370

April 14th, Sunday AM - Shangri-La Dog Park
Tanque Verde/Houghton, E. Tucson, #520-343-0263

April 18th, Thursday PM - Bark Ave Dog Wash
Speedway/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520-546-2275

April 20th, Saturday AM *FULL* - Mountain View Vet
Mary Ann Cleveland/Colossal Cave Rd, Vail, #520-762-0455

April 21st, Sunday AM - Holy Cow Tack & Feed
Tanque Verde/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520-347-5452

April 26th, Friday AM - Shangri-La Dog Park
Tanque Verde/Houghton, E. Tucson, #520-343-0263

April 27th, Saturday AM - Goin' to Grandmas
Hereford, AZ, (Far South!) #520.378.6000

Visit the main Animal Experts website for a Full Schedule through all of the Greater Tucson area! www.animalexpertsinc.com/snake-avoidance-training-schedule

March Avoidance Class Dates; Contact Locations to Schedule
DM with any questions!

March 9th, Saturday AM - Holy Cow Tack & Feed
Tanque Verde/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520.347.5452

March 13th, Thursday PM - Bark Ave Dog Wash
Speedway/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520.546.2275

March 16th, Saturday AM - Mountain View Clinic
Mary Ann Cleveland/Colossal Cave Rd, Vail, #520.762.0455

March 23rd, Saturday AM - Goin' to Grandmas
Hereford, AZ, #520.378.6000

March 24th, Sunday AM - Holy Cow Tack & Feed
Tanque Verde/Pantano, E. Tucson, #520.347.5452

March 29th, Friday AM - Shangrila Dog Park
Tanque Verde/Houghton, E. Tucson, #520.343.0263

March 30th, Saturday AM - Madera Vet
Valencia/Houghton, Rita Ranch, #520.574.3700

Visit the main Animal Experts website for a Full Schedule through all of the Greater Tucson area! www.animalexpertsinc.com/snake-avoidance-training-schedule

Did you know Arizona is home to 13-15 species of rattlesnake? More so than any other singular state!
While we are used to seeing the common species in town, here's two that you'll likely never encounter!

Both of these species are legally protected, 1) Banded-rock rattlesnake, Crotalus klauberi & 2) Ridge-nosed rattlesnake, Crotalus willardi., also the AZ state snake!

Even though you won't be likely to encounter these snakes, your pups still need to stay safe and aware!
Visit the main website for class schedules!
www.animalexpertsinc.com

Looking forward to working more with Tangerine Clinic to provide Rattlesnake & Toad Avoidance Training!

This Tiger rattlesnake got stuck in the wire of the trap, a few wire snips later and I was able to pull them free, unharmed. This species is common in certain areas, including the foothills of Tucson.

While we commonly use diamondbacks for training, the avoidance training does work well with other species of rattlesnake. We occasionally use other species during class as well though! 🐍

This adult nightsnake is one of the most common species to be found inside of homes; mainly due to their small size and preference for tight dark spaces. They have a wide variety of diet, including lizards, frogs, other small snakes, and more.

Dogs that go through our Rattlesnake Avoidance Training have frequently shown us that they know the difference between a rattlesnake and a non-rattlesnake species, such as this lil guy, or commonly encountered species, like kings and gopher snakes.

Some dogs still show interest in nonvenomous snakes after training, some dogs avoid all together regardless. If you're dog shows intrest in other snakes, but you want peace of mind after training, you're welcome to bring your pup back through for a retest so they can show you those Avoidance skills when it comes to the rattlesnakes!

Sonoran toads helping with Avoidance training this afternoon! 🐸 This adult toad sits in a container with dirty toad water and waits for the next curious dog to approach for Avoidance Training.
No toads are ever harmed! They're well cared for and fed a hearty diet of bugs after putting in their hour of hard work. (Just look at that belly!)

Had a couple of beautiful snakes at class this afternoon, look at that rattle! While this guy gives off a loud buzz warning, not all do so, given several environmental factors.
That's where our 'silent snake' comes in, they have a wrap around their rattle so there's no sound. Dogs need to know, either way, it's a bad thing!

UPCOMING CLASS: July 8th at Tangerine Pet Clinic, Rattlesnake or Toad Avoidance Training, first time or retests welcome!
Call (520) 848-3644 to schedule; $125/dog

Th***ydale & Tangerine, Marana, Tucson AZ

*Check the pinned post at top of page for FAQ & Info!*

The Sonoran Toad!
Our largest native amphibians are also toxic to our dogs; How to ID them vs other toad species.

*We provide Sonoran T Avoidance Training for Dogs at any of our class locations. Snake and Toad trainings must be done in separate sessions.*

Sonoran toads will always be a shade of olive green, they also have blotchy orange spots on their backs, these tend to be more obvious on the younger juveniles and more faded as they turn into adults.
These toads also have distinct lil white dimples on either side of their mouth, that other toads are lacking. They also have prominent raised glands (parotoid) on either side of the neck and on their back legs; this is where their toxin actually comes out. It takes a great amount of stress (like a dogs mouth) for these gentle toads to push their toxin as a last ditch defense mechanism.
Also be aware of outside water sources that your dog or other critters use, if a Sonoran Toad has been using that water source, it could potentially still make them sick. So refresh those outside water dishes or pick them up in the evening!

The last few photos are of our other 2 most common toad species encountered, Red spotted and Spadefoots for comparison.

Next post; What to do if you're dog does get a toad and how to handle it.

⬇️ INFO & DETAILS: ⬇️ (See FAQ as well)

Training provided by Animal Experts Inc at various locations through Southern AZ or In-home private training available. www.animalexpertsinc.com

• New trainings - Most locations are $125/dog.
The Trainer works with each individual dog, while the Handler focuses on the snake or toad. Our multi-point course focuses on the Scent, Sight and Sound of the muzzled snakes / sonoran toads, using an e-collar and specialized techniques, dogs learn to associate those things with avoidance behavior. Training typically only requires 10-15 minutes.

• Rattlesnake and Sonoran Toad trainings must be done in different sessions, they can not be done in the same day. • Our training uses real, intact rattlesnakes, muzzled for safety. Most realistic and effective training available. • & Real adult Sonoran Toads.

• Most dogs qualify for training. All breeds / sizes welcome. 6 months of age minimum, older dogs 10year+ can be trained; senior dogs with hearing or vision issues are still welcome but training may not be as effective. If dog has seizures or heart conditions, speak with your vet.

• All dogs are individuals, some learn and associate better than others, in some cases they may need to come through training more than once, and that's okay. Our goal is to give them the best chance possible in a real situation, helping them to keep themselves safe.

• Private in-home training - starts at $500, for up to 5 dogs, more dogs welcome, $100/per. Less than 5 dogs is fine for private training, but price is still $500.

• Retest - (dogs previously done by any AE associated trainer), $20-50 varies by location.
Retest - A pass/fail walk-by test to see what your dog remembers from our previous training. No e-collar is used initially, most dogs pass, but sometimes they need a quick reminder. This is recommended to do 1x year for most dogs.

• Refresher - If you're dog approaches a rattlesnake or sonoran toad after training, refresh training is free. • Non-rattlesnake species / other toad species, do not count. Dead snake/toad also does not count, dead is different and not what they were trained on. Though we are still happy to do a retest for peace of mind if the dog goes up to an unknown species. This is specific training, dogs have shown us they know the difference, many times over.

• While training can not be guaranteed, due to animal behavior and environmental factors, Avoidance Training helps give your dog the knowledge to keep themselves safe in a real world situation and avoid the severe damage that comes with a failed rattlesnake or toad encounter.

• Any questions or concerns, you're welcome to contact us directly!
Trainer: Chelsea Richardson 520-909-1420
Marc Hammond, AE Owner: 520-272-1825
Jeff Carver, AE Owner: 520-850-4100

Wildlife Animal Control in Tucson, AZ | Animal Experts Inc. For wildlife animal control in Tucson AZ,choose Animal Experts! We are wildlife specialists with over 40 years of experience in the animal control business.

⬇️ FAQ: ⬇️ (See INFO Pinned post as well)

• How do we schedule an appointment? – Most classes will require you to call the individual location to schedule your appointment time. In some cases, such as private in-home training, you can schedule with the trainer. You’re welcome to reach out to me directly if you would like suggestions on what would be the closet / soonest classes to your location.

• How much is training? - Most class locations are $125 per dog for new trainings. Some locations or trainers may have a small price break for multiple dogs. – In-home private training is $500, more details in the other INFO pinned post.

• How long does training take? – Several minutes are spent speaking with each client before training, explaining the process, what to expect and different factors to keep in mind. On average, the course takes 10 minutes to complete; a lot can be learned in that time, no need to stress the dogs more than necessary.

• Do we have to do this again? - Dogs are individuals and some associate and learn, faster or better than others do. Large majority of dogs do great with training, and one time is enough, but if they need to come back and go through training a second time the following month or year, that is okay! Not all dogs can be a 10-min wonder; several factors can attribute to your dogs learning, such as breed traits, age, attention span, etc.

• How long will my dog remember this? – Many dogs remember this training for years; some dogs need a reminder after not seeing any for a year, some dogs had no known encounters for several years, but do great on testing, some dogs simply need to come back yearly for refresher training (small %). Retests are available to check your dog’s avoidance behavior, details in the other INFO pinned post. *Or, if you run into an excessive number of snakes, Q/A below.

• Why do you use an e-collar? – A negative association (the shock) is used to teach the dogs to avoid the specific scent, sight and sound of the R.snakes / S.toads through our multi-point course, paired with our specialized trainers looking for unique behavior ques. The e-collars are set as needed to suit each individual dog.

• What if my dog doesn’t notice a R.snake? – There are several environmental factors that go into your dog noticing and avoiding a R.snake. Several environmental factors attribute to the dog’s awareness and ability to smell/see/hear the snake. Wind speed/direction, temperature, humidity and camouflaged surroundings all play a role in daily life. But, dogs are smart and will keep themselves safe; when a R.snake is detected, they will remember, and know to avoid the situation, rather than being curious and getting too close. – Dogs present specific behaviors associated with avoidance, watching your dog during training will teach you what to look for afterwards. Recognizing their avoidance behaviors at home can keep you both safe.

• My dog went up to a dead snake? – This doesn’t mean training didn’t work, just that the snake is dead and therefor it is different in everyway than the living ones. The smell is different (dogs love dead stinky things, no matter what it is), it is not moving or making sound either. Simply put, we didn't train them to avoid dead snakes. – Do still keep dogs away and use a tool to move dead R.snakes, they can still envenomate accidentally after death.

• Does this work for all snake species or just Rattlesnakes? – This is R.snake specific training, they have a distinct scent profile to the dog, which their venom is a big part of, they also have a sound (usually), and a posture defense. These three things make R.snakes different than non-rattlesnake species to the dogs. They have shown us time and time again that they do in fact know the difference between R.snakes and non-R.snake species of snake. Dogs are individuals though, some may avoid non-R.snakes as well, while some dogs may still show curiosity towards our harmless species of snake when encountered.

• We encounter a lot of snakes, my dog stopped avoiding as well? – Desensitization; when R.snakes are encountered on a frequent basis (avid hikers, field dogs, etc.) dogs can become less fearful of them since nothing bad (the e-collar shock) is happening when encountered. If this is your situation, it is recommended to repeat the training yearly to help upkeep the dog’s avoidance behavior. Keep snakes a bad thing after training, do not stay in the area where a R.snake was spotted, move away before praising your dog for avoiding. Staying in the area of a known R.snake with your dog and acting like everything is fine, taking photos or giving your dog treats, are both ways of desensitizing them to the R.snakes.

• My dog was bitten in the past, do they still need training? – Yes! Getting bit does not teach them to avoid if another encounter happens. Bites are not only expensive, physically horrible but also stressful for both dog and owner. Sign them up for training before the next unexpected encounter goes wrong!

• What if my dog did this training with someone else in the past? – Avoidance training is not all equal, there are several methods of doing this from different trainers/businesses. If your dog was trained by any of our Animal Experts associated trainers/locations, retesting or refreshers will be accepted but if the original training was done by a completely different trainer/business, the training will be considered ‘new, first time’, as we can not speak for other trainers methods.

* See INFO pinned post for further details *

July 13th, start time 8a at Ajo Veterinary Clinic
Rattlesnake or Toad Avoidance Training, first time or retests welcome!

Call 520-623-5728 to schedule; $125/dog

Ajo & 12th, Tucson AZ

*Check the pinned post at top of page for FAQ & Info!*

July 8th at Tangerine Pet Clinic, Rattlesnake or Toad Avoidance Training, first time or retests welcome!
Call (520) 848-3644 to schedule; $125/dog

Th***ydale & Tangerine, Marana, Tucson AZ

*Check the pinned post at top of page for FAQ & Info!*

June 29th & July 14th, start time 7a @ Shangri-la Dog Park.
Rattlesnake or Toad Avoidance Training, first time or retests welcome!
Call 520-343-0263 to schedule, $125/dog

Tanque Verde / Houghton area, Tucson AZ

*Check the pinned post at top of page for FAQ & Info!*

June 23rd, 4-6:30p at Bark Avenue Dogwash, LLC is approaching! Rattlesnake or Toad Avoidance training, first time or retests welcome!
Call 520-546-2275 to schedule - $100per dog

Tucson AZ, Speedway / Pantano

*Check the pinned post at top of page for FAQ & Info!*