Program teaches dogs to avoid rattlesnakes

Training for dogs on how to avoid rattlesnakes will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Monday at Davis Creek Park.

Each dog will be scheduled an individual time for their training with live rattlesnakes.

The course is designed to teach pets how to avoid the sight, smell and sound of a rattlesnake. Dogs are kept on a leash at all times and are handed off to a professional trainer.

Remote controlled static training collars are used to precisely time and negatively reinforce the experience with the rattlesnake.

Most dogs learn to avoid the snakes quickly so minimal stimulus is needed.

Live Great Basin rattlesnakes, provided by John Potash of the Nevada Wildlife Rescue, are used in the training and have had their venom glands surgically severed. The snake trainer is present at all times to oversee the process.

The cost is $60 for the first dog, $50 for the second, and $40 for each dog after that.

All proceeds go to preserving Nevada's wildlife. To sign up, call Jon Tyler at 775-342-8316. Registration forms are available at www.nvwf.org.