Rattlesnake Avoidance Training
July 11–12, 2026
$110 per dog
Located at Beach City Dogs
321 Wilshire Rd., Oceanside, CA 92057
We’re proud to partner with Fred Presson of High On Kennels for this year’s clinic.
Fred has decades of experience helping dogs safely learn rattlesnake avoidance throughout Southern California.
If these dates don’t work, additional clinic dates can be found at HighOnKennels.com.
Rattlesnake Safety in Southern California
Every year, numerous dogs fall victim to rattlesnake bites, resulting in significant pain, trauma, illness, and sometimes death. Veterinary treatment can range from $1,500–$10,000, and affected dogs often require emergency anti-venom care.
While rattlesnake vaccines may help reduce the severity of a bite, they do not provide complete immunity, and affected dogs will still require anti-venom treatment.
Southern California’s beaches, foothills, mountains, canyon country, and desert areas are all considered rattlesnake habitats. As urban development continues, encounters between dogs and rattlesnakes have become increasingly common.
Rattlesnakes are naturally drawn to areas with rodents and small wildlife, making neighborhoods, gardens, hiking trails, and open spaces potential encounter zones.
Because we cannot eliminate rattlesnakes from our environment, teaching safe avoidance behaviors can help protect your dog.
What to expect
Dogs are introduced to the scent, sound, and sight of rattlesnakes using controlled training scenarios with safely neutralized live rattlesnakes.
Training includes:
• Exposure to rattlesnake scent and sound
• Guided avoidance exercises
• Repetition for reinforcement
Plan for an hour, but most appointments take less time..
If your dog needs additional repetitions, the trainer will continue working until the dog clearly understands avoidance behavior.
Choosing a Qualified Trainer
When selecting a rattlesnake avoidance trainer, consider:
- Experience working with dogs and rattlesnake avoidance specifically
- Safe, humane training practices
- Familiarity with live rattlesnake scenarios
- Licensing and insurance
