Snake Safety and Awareness: What You Need to Know

As our dogs guardians, it is our duty and responsibility to keep them safe. This includes helping them to make decisions that keep them safe and away from harm.

Let’s talk snake safety and awareness. Most dogs are naturally drawn and curious to investigating critters and this includes snakes. While some dogs may have the natural ability to walk away, many others will need assistance with making good decisions in order to stay safe.

Firstly, there are different types of snakes depending on the area you live in. I encourage you to do some research to see what snakes may be native to you. In Colorado, we have many species of harmless and non-venomous snakes (Garter and Bull Snakes), but we also have Rattlesnakes, which can look very similar to Bull Snakes. Be sure to pay attention to signs too! You may be in an area that you didn't know was home to snakes.

Here are some general tips:

1. Stay on designated trails. Snakes may be on the trail, but they can be more easily spotted if they are. Many snakes like to hang out in long grass, shrubs, and rock outcroppings.

2. Keep your dog on a leash. I know we like to let our dogs adventure BUT using a leash will help to keep them on the trail and prevent them from running over to investigate a snake or an area where there may be a snake.

3. Don’t get close enough to try to identify the snake. Turn around to give the snake some time to move without your dog being too close.

4. Avoid letting your dog sniff the long grass, in holes, or underneath rocks. Especially in areas where you know there are harmful snakes.

5. Know the area you are walking/hiking in and what snake species may be present. Do the research.

   
   

What are some training skills you can work on?

1. You can consider attending a Snake Avoidance Class. I would highly encourage one that uses positive reinforcement methods vs. aversive methods like a shock collar.

2. Play the Observe and Report Game with your dog. This is where you teach your dog to “observe” things in their environment and then “report” to you so you can make the decision together about what to do next.

   
   

How to play:

You can start playing this game with things they don’t tend to care about (if your dog doesn’t care about other people when out on walks, start there). As your dog has more experience with the non-exciting things, you can start to add in the more exciting things. I like to use high value food rewards to play this. Name the object for them (person, dog, bike…whatever) and then give them a cookie. They will learn that this particular object = cookie. Eventually, they will start looking to you for guidance/cookie instead of interacting with the thing.

3. Play the Leave It Game.

How to play:

Similar to The Observe and Report Game, start out with low value items first and then move up to high value items. You can put the cookie/food reward item right in front of their nose/mouth as you walk by and say “leave it” (this is called a lure). As soon as they walk by the item, give them the cookie/food reward.

4. Teach them the value in moving AWAY from things.

How to play:

Similar to the Leave It Game, but instead of walking past the object, we are going to turn around and walk away from the object. You can use a lure with the cookie/food reward and can use the verbal cue “leave it” or “this way”. Whatever is easier for you and your dog responds to better. As soon as you turn away from the object, give them the cookie/food reward.

Go have fun and be safe!