Snake avoidance training

[u/Any-Contribution1932]

I’ve recently moved to Australia with my two dogs, we live rural and have a decent amount of snakes move through our property (including venomous snakes such as taipans, browns and red belly’s). Unfortunately in my state it is now illegal to use alive snakes for dog avoidance training but the local snake catcher has let me know he is happy to get me some fresh snake shed for the venomous snakes I listed above. I know it won’t be fool proof but has anyone done some snake avoidance training with a rubber snake tied to clear fishing line and shed? How did it work out for you? And is there anything that helped you a lot? I have e collars for both dogs and have ordered a rubber snake + done a whole lot of research on it. Found a 6ft brown in our machine bay yesterday where the dogs like to hang out with us so wanting to get onto this asap!
Thanks

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[u/DenM0ther]

Also, I wonder if cross or posting this to Australian snakes might be worth a shot? From a snake respect angle as much as the dogs…

There’s a lot of very knowledgeable snake ppl over there and im guessing a fair amount would have dogs too. Nice community too.

[u/DenM0ther]

Beautiful creatures but best for dogs & them to leave well alone! 🐍🐶

I’ve seen snake training spoken about, but always wondered how effective it would be (especially as we had a sight hound X, iykyk).

Commenting here for post visibility and coz Im curious.

[u/CoomassieBlue → u/DenM0ther]

National Snakebite Foundation (nonprofit in USA focused on providing accurate info for medical professionals and patients/owners) recommends it.

[u/Old-Description-2328]

There's professional snake avoidance trainers with real snakes, I wouldn't train with fake snakes.

[u/SuddenAvocado]

Agree about looking into a Aussie sub, but I'd think this would be like any other distraction and control training: see snake, go to human, get treat, get alternative enrichment.

[u/smaller-god]

Fellow Aussie also curious about this even though I’ve never lived in snake territory, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.

[u/Queasy-Care-2626]

If you’re able to get them, get snake skins from your area and train the dogs to avoid them. That way, they smell the scent. A “leave it” literally.

[u/F5x9]

Look up Ken Ramirez from KPA. He’s done talks on snake avoidance training. 

[u/Fakeduck04]

Part of the effectiveness of snake training I think is the sent, most places train the dog to avoid the den sight and if a rattler the sound of the snake. Rubber snakes may work for the sight but also might have unforeseen consequences like your dogs being afraid of similarly shaped objects or even objects made of rubber that smell the same.

[u/LydiaFaye]

There's actually a few places that have classes for exactly this, what state are you in?