Snake Avoidance Training for Your Dog Using Reward-Based Methods

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From the perspective our dogs, snakes are interesting and worth exploring at close range. However, even though the above is a natural dog response, we must teach our dogs to refrain from approaching and investigating snakes. While this is an “expensive” behavior – meaning that our dog must be paid VERY well to make it worth their while to avoid a snake, we can rely on the Science of Animal Learning to teach our dogs reliable and safe behaviors around snakes.

In this in-depth course, we will establish protocols to teach the dogs to recognize the stimulus of a snake by visual, auditory, and scent cues AND to refrain from approaching while using only rewards for behaviors. No aversive such as a shock for investigation will be used.

The Details:

Participants are required to attend all sessions, purchase some props to practice between sessions, and submit 30 sec. videos of their training sessions on weeks one and two for feedback on our Zoom sessions.

Open to 4 handlers and their dogs ages 5 months and older. Dogs must be comfortable working around other dogs and people. No lunging or barking.

Dates:

Saturday, 13th, 20th, 27th, May 4th and May 11th, and May 18th  From 9 am- 10 am.

Note:  The People ONLY Orientation on April 6th  is from 9 am to 10:30 am.

Participants must purchase some props to practice between sessions and submit 30-second-1-minute videos of their training sessions on weeks one and two for feedback on our Zoom sessions.

Required Vaccinations: Dogs must be up-to-date on their DHLPP vaccinations OR provide proof of a current titer test.

Fees: $ 711.55 Santa Fe County tax included.

Visit CHACO’s Waiver, Payment, and Cancellation Policy for classes.

For new clients, you must complete the form on this page and submit the payment below before registering for this class. If you are a current client (or have taken a class/private training with Almudena) C.H.A.C.O. Dog Training & Behavior Consulting, LLC., please complete the form on this page here.

About your Trainer/Instructors:

Almudena Ortiz Cué:

Almudena Ortiz Cué (she/her) is a graduate of the renowned San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers (CTC), a Certified Professional Dog Trainer by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), Certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCC), a professional member of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and the owner of C.H.A.C.O. Dog Training & Behavior Consulting, LLC. located in Tesuque, the Santa Fe, New Mexico area. She is also a certified Tellington TTouch® Practitioner for Companion Animals. She is the author of two books. (See Chaco’s store for more info & purchase.)

As a staff trainer for two years at the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Walnut Creek, CA, she worked with under-socialized dogs who had experienced lengthy shelter stays or scored poorly on the SAFER test.  She utilized training designed both to improve the lives of the dogs while at the shelter and to prepare them for successful adoptions. She also designed and implemented the shelter’s first Dog Training Internship Program (Dog TIP). In addition to private dog training, she offers one-on-one consultations on behavior modification, canine fitness and group dog-training classes.  She is a Certified Canine Strength and Fitness Coach  (CSCC) by the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine.

Luren Bellucci:

After adopting  Elsa, her fearful  dog from the Santa Fe Animal Shelter in 2015, Luren  began training  in  Nose-work( K9NW) via classes and  workshops.  After six-years of working with Elsa, the team  participated in  Nose work  levels 1 (NW1) and Level 2 (NW 2) Trials with Elsa winning titles for Level 1 and 2. Not only did Elsa titled but she received the “Harry Award”, an  award given to the most outstanding rescue dog that demonstrates extraordinary ability and spirit in nose work at the NW1 level”. Currently Luren is the Program Coordinator for the K9NW Shelter Program at  the Santa Fe Animal Shelter,  bringing the benefits of Nose Work  to shelter dogs.