Snake School graduation day — dogs and their families after rattlesnake avoidance training Snake School graduation day — June 6, 2026 Snake School graduation day — June 6, 2026 Snake School graduation day — June 6, 2026
★★★★★
Recommended by dozens of dog owners

Live by the hills? Like hiking? Your dog will meet a rattlesnake. You can count on that. Make sure they run.

Our training team will teach your dog one-on-one to recognize and run away from rattlesnakes — potentially sparing unbelievable pain, saving their life, and also saving your pocket $3,000–$10,000.

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Southern Pacific rattlesnake — The Snake School rattlesnake avoidance training
Rattlesnake avoidance training — The Snake School Rattlesnake avoidance training — The Snake School Rattlesnake avoidance training — The Snake School

We offer the full 12-station version of Rattlesnake Avoidance Training for Dogs

Avoidance you can't get in a 10-minute park training.

Rattlesnake avoidance training — The Snake School Rattlesnake avoidance training — The Snake School Rattlesnake avoidance training — The Snake School
Premium Rattlesnake Aversion Training for Dogs
30 minutes.
Every sense.
3–4× course length.
See the full program →
Experience
20 yrs

Experience in venomous rattlesnake handling and K9 handling

Time per dog
30 min

Most trainers spend 10. We proof every station until it sticks.

Success rate
9/10

Dogs snake-safe after a single session

Location
Santa Clarita & Acton

Private ranches — in partnership with Cary Quashen Rattlesnake Wrangling

By the Numbers

The rattlesnake reality in Los Angeles County.

500,000
Rattlesnakes Around Santa Clarita
150,000+
Pets Bitten by Rattlesnakes a Year
90%+
Of Bitten Pets Are Dogs
$2,500+
Average Vet Bill Per Bite
The Snake School for Dogs The Snake School icon
We're Doing Our Part
1,000+
Dogs Trained
1,000+
Rattlesnake Removals From People's Homes
Zero
Bites in Our Class, Ever
The Most Thorough Rattlesnake Aversion Program Available

This is the premium rattlesnake avoidance training program for dogs.

The level of avoidance we teach cannot be trained in 10 minutes. We spend 30, one-on-one — with a dedicated K9 handler and rattlesnake expert working together on your dog at every station.

Two handlers working with one dog during rattlesnake avoidance training
2 Handlers Per Dog
1 Dog at a Time
Scott Quashen — rattlesnake handler
Scott Quashen
Rattlesnake Handler
Shane Armstrong — aversion trainer
Shane Armstrong
Aversion Trainer
Cary Quashen — rattlesnake wrangler
Cary Quashen
Rattlesnake Wrangler
01
6 Live Snake Encounters

Ends with an intense rattlesnake den encounter — to ensure avoidance is absolutely dialed in before your dog goes home.

02
Baby & Adult Snake Training

Baby and adult rattlesnakes — trained by sight, sound, and scent. Faint and full scent exposure, live rattle audio on speakers, and real snakes at every stage.

03
3× More Scent Training

Three times the scent exposure of most competitors — the single most powerful trigger for avoidance in the wild.

04
Sight-Only Stations

Muzzled non-venomous gopher snakes for adult and baby visual recognition — safe, effective, thorough.

05
Technology-Enhanced Sound Training

Bluetooth speakers play real baby and adult rattlesnake recordings at accurate volumes — no scent, no sight. Training the sound alone to stop your dog cold.

06
Dummy Stations

Treat stations that look like encounter stations — so your dog doesn't finish training afraid to go outside or pick up sticks.

07
Secure Containment Only

No muzzled rattlesnakes — they're not as safe as you think and offer no added benefit. Zero bites in class, ever.

Training cannot be done more thoroughly than this without traumatizing your dog. We truly maximize your dog's chances of successful avoidance in a real encounter. No other class is effectively more thorough.

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Did You Know?

Dogs can be trained to recognize and avoid rattlesnakes by scent, sound, and sight — in a single session.

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Zuko's First Day · Caught On Camera

A real avoidance response — in real time.

← Swipe or use the arrows →

This was Zuko's very first training session. After just 30 minutes with us, he was as snake-safe as a dog can possibly be. This is what an actual encounter will look like after your dog graduates.

Does the training work? See for yourself.

Yes — the training works. About 9 out of every 10 dogs are snake-safe after a single course.
You will watch your dog go from zero to snake hero.
About 1 in 10 dogs may show no clear avoidance during the course.
Most all dogs will show avoidance and recognition during their refresher training sessions.
Read Our Efficacy Report →
Rattlesnake avoidance training station — rocks terrain
Rocks
Rattlesnake avoidance training station — grass terrain
Grass
Rattlesnake avoidance training station — bush terrain
Bush
Rattlesnake avoidance training station — wood terrain
Wood
Rattlesnake avoidance training station — bricks terrain
Bricks
Rattlesnake avoidance training station — trail terrain
Trail
Rattlesnake avoidance training — full sensory exposure station
Full Exposure
Rattlesnake avoidance training — baby rattlesnake station
Baby
Rattlesnake avoidance training — diversion station
Diversion
Rattlesnake avoidance training — hidden snake station
Hidden
Rattlesnake avoidance training — hole terrain station
Hole
Rattlesnake avoidance training station — rocks terrain
Rocks
Rattlesnake avoidance training station — grass terrain
Grass
Rattlesnake avoidance training station — bush terrain
Bush
Rattlesnake avoidance training station — wood terrain
Wood
Rattlesnake avoidance training station — bricks terrain
Bricks
Rattlesnake avoidance training station — trail terrain
Trail
Rattlesnake avoidance training — full sensory exposure station
Full Exposure
Rattlesnake avoidance training — baby rattlesnake station
Baby
Rattlesnake avoidance training — diversion station
Diversion
Rattlesnake avoidance training — hidden snake station
Hidden
Rattlesnake avoidance training — hole terrain station
Hole
Professional Rattlesnake Avoidance Course

Trained for Every Terrain Your Dog Could Meet a Rattlesnake.

Each session moves your dog through realistic environments — rocks, brush, trails, hidden burrows — so the avoidance response holds wherever they encounter a rattlesnake.

Talk to Us →
How Dogs Are Trained to Recognize Rattlesnakes

Isolated Sensory Exposures and Live Snake Encounters

Rattlesnake scent avoidance training station — dog learns to identify rattlesnake odor
Step 01 — Scent
Scent Only

Your dog learns to identify the unmistakable scent of a rattlesnake — the first and most powerful trigger for avoidance in the wild.

Rattlesnake sound avoidance training station — dog trained to respond to rattle
Step 02 — Sound
Sound Only

The rattle is one of nature's most distinct warning sounds. We train your dog to recognize it and flee — before a strike is ever possible.

Rattlesnake sight avoidance training station — dog trained to visually recognize rattlesnake
Step 03 — Sight
Sight Only

Dogs are trained to visually recognize the shape and movement of a rattlesnake — reinforcing avoidance even at a distance.

Full sensory rattlesnake avoidance training — scent, sound, and sight combined for maximum avoidance
Step 04 — Combined
Full Sensory Exposure

All three sensory channels activated simultaneously — the final stage that locks in a complete, reliable avoidance response.

Rattlesnake avoidance training — The Snake School
Welcome to Snake School

We offer the complete 12-station version of rattlesnake avoidance training for dogs.

Training Day

Every Dog Goes Home Snake-Smart, or You Can Come Back for Free.

Each dog finishes the day with a graduation diploma, a happy family, and a behavior pattern that lasts.

Piper — Snake School graduate on graduation day
Angeline — Snake School graduate with diploma
Snake School graduate at the ranch — diploma in hand
Beth — Snake School graduate with diploma
Josanne — Snake School graduate with diploma
Maple — Snake School graduate with diploma
Zoe — Snake School graduate with diploma
The Snake School graduates with their dogs and diplomas on graduation day
Hemo — Snake School graduate on graduation day
Waylon — Snake School graduate on graduation day
Sonia — Snake School graduate on graduation day
Gracie — Snake School graduate on graduation day
Snake School graduate on graduation day — May 30, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — May 30, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — May 30, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — May 30, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — May 30, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — May 30, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — May 30, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — June 6, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — June 6, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — June 6, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — June 6, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — June 6, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — June 6, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — June 6, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — June 6, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — June 6, 2026
Snake School graduate on graduation day — June 6, 2026
Swipe to see more →
Graduate Reviews

What families say after Snake School.

Real feedback from dog owners who trained with us — recapped from their post-training debriefs.

"I'm so happy with Snake School! I'm confident that Maple will avoid snakes now. Thank you so much Scott, Cary, and Shane."
Kathy Champion Dog Trainer · Snake School Graduate
"My dog learned so much! This is a life saving training. Thank you both so much for what you do."
Michael Snake School Graduate
"My 2 dogs were a bit rambunctious and are still puppies but I think they learned a lot. This was a great course. I'm going to recommend my friends and neighbors!"
Francie Snake School Graduate
"My dog learned so much! He's snake safe now. I want to volunteer with you guys. Thank you so much."
Seth Snake School Graduate
"My dog didn't naturally avoid the snakes at first, but learned during the course. I'm feeling so much better, and really think he will stay away from snakes now! Thanks guys."
Josh Snake School Graduate
"Hey Scott! Thanks again for training Kitty. Wanted to see if you could train Cleo's two little dogs next. Proud puppy parents ahahah!"
Erika & Lorenzo Founder of Bug-A-Salt · Snake School Graduate
"This was my first session with the dog I have now, and after Snake School I feel confident taking him hunting with me. He'll be off leash and working the entire time — and now I know he'll avoid a rattlesnake if he comes across one."
Shane Snake School Graduate
"I brought 3 dogs. Two were naturally avoidant right away — the third needed more correction. They adjusted the training for each dog individually. My fourth one is coming next week."
Beth Snake School Graduate
"So Happy with The Snake School! After a close encounter with a rattlesnake on the trail near our home, we had been worried about our dog Barley's safety — also being off-leash much of the time. We are now confident that Barley is prepared to avoid a rattlesnake should an encounter happen in the future. Thank you Snake School :)"
Mark Kiner Google Review
"They were great with my dog she learned a lot ty"
Debbie Google Review
"Both Shane and Scott are two of the nicest guys imaginable. My dogs took to them right off and the training is exceptional. Both my dogs are older so their senses do not allow them to respond to all the stimuli right away but I was blown away by the way Shane and Scott adapted the training to give them the best protection possible. I can't recommend this training highly enough and it's an absolute pleasure to give them this five star review."
Josanne Google Review
"My dogs are trained hunting dogs — I was worried a standard course wouldn't cut it. They adapted the whole session around where my dogs specifically needed work. I left genuinely impressed. Honestly I'd volunteer here if I could."
Adolfo Snake School Graduate
"You can tell a lot of thought went into this. Good people running it — you feel that the moment you arrive."
Fred Snake School Graduate
"I came in nervous. Left feeling like my dog was actually safe. Night and day."
Angeline Snake School Graduate
"Very professional people who took good care of us and our dog. The course is laid out well with plenty of safe snake encounters to familiarize the dog with the sight, sound, and smell of rattlesnakes. So important in our area of SoCal."
Patti Sternau Google Review
"Better than I expected, honestly. My dog and I both had a great time. I know my dog will avoid snakes now."
Melanie Champion Dog Trainer · Snake School Graduate
"The snake school was a great experience for our 4 dogs. The handlers were gentle and calm, walking the dogs through the different stations and reworking the stations that they showed some signs of struggle with. All 4 dogs passed the course and it was clear they wanted to avoid the snakes!"
Sara Snake School Graduate

"Winston and I just took The Snake School for Dogs, and I think I said, 'This is the best money I've ever spent,' at least five times during the class LOL

Before signing up, I had heard so many amazing things about them from people at the dog park and online, so my expectations were high. Somehow, they still exceeded them.

I had recently moved to Santa Clarita and reached out to ask about their summer discount. They were kind enough to extend it to me, which meant Winston and I were able to take the class during our very first week living in rattlesnake country. That generosity alone meant a lot.

What really impressed me was how incredible Shane and Scott were with Winston. He's usually pretty timid around men, but he warmed up to both of them almost immediately. They were patient, encouraging, and made the whole experience feel comfortable and stress-free.

And the training works FAST!! I was honestly shocked. By the second station, Winston was already avoiding the snakes and their scent entirely. The results started before we had even finished the class. Watching him make those decisions on his own was amazing!

As a dog owner, there's nothing better than feeling like you've done everything you can to keep your pup safe, and that's exactly how I left feeling. Living in Santa Clarita, where rattlesnakes are a real concern, this class gave me so much peace of mind.

More than anything, it's obvious that Shane and Scott genuinely care about dogs and the people who love them. You can tell this isn't just a business to them. They truly want to keep dogs safe.

If you have a dog and live anywhere rattlesnakes are around, take the class!! 💓"

Destiny Google Review
"We trained at Get Rattled up North, and this program is on a whole other level. Way better!"
Bethany Snake School Graduate
"It's a really great thing to do for your dog."
Alyssa Snake School Graduate
"Glad we did this — I feel my dog is much safer now."
Stephanie Snake School Graduate
"We're really happy with the results and feel so much better now that Gatsby is trained."
Stephanie Snake School Graduate
"Shane and Scott did great work with my dog. He's a German Shepherd, which they say is one of the breeds that catches on really quickly. Whiskey, our Shepherd, caught on fast and did a great job avoiding the snakes after some corrections. My husband and I are glad we did this."
Madison Snake School Graduate
"My dogs did great and this training was above and beyond. So glad we did it!"
Lizbeth Snake School Graduate
"Chewie and Leia did great! We were impressed with the training and had a lot of fun. We recommend this course!"
Joanna Snake School Graduate
"I'm so happy that I did this class. I'm moving to Texas and needed the best training available because it's total snake country where I'll be. I booked my mom a session right after finishing the course."
Hailey Snake School Graduate
Meet Our Trainer

Shane Armstrong.

Lead trainer with over 1,000 dogs trained in rattlesnake avoidance — and 20 years of venomous snake handling experience.

Lead Trainer Shane Armstrong — rattlesnake avoidance training
Scott Quashen handling a gopher snake during rattlesnake avoidance training
What We Do

One-on-one, start to finish.

We train 20 dogs every Saturday and Sunday using our complete one-on-one 12-station version of rattlesnake avoidance training for dogs.

Rattlesnake Professionals

Built in association with Cary Quashen Rattlesnake Wrangling.

We've caught over 1,000 rattlesnakes at people's homes in Santa Clarita alone.

Cary Quashen using a rattlesnake catching tool — Cary Quashen Rattlesnake Wrangling
We Take Your Dog's Safety Seriously

Your dog can't get bit in our course.

One of the only 12-station rattlesnake aversion programs in California that uses secure containment for every snake — a full-effectiveness program that never puts a dog in striking distance of a live rattlesnake.

ZERO
Bites in Class. Ever.
Every rattlesnake stays inside a secure ¼-inch wire containment unit — full sensory experience, no muzzles, no bites in class. And in six years of running this course, zero of our trained dogs have been reported bitten post-training.
Safety Standards →
What Others Do
Muzzled Rattlesnakes Dangerous
Muzzles fail. Improperly applied muzzles loosen mid-session, snakes rub them off on rocks, and rattlesnake fangs are hinged — they can pivot out through gaps or pierce through the lower jaw. No muzzled rattlesnake is safe.
What Others Do
Loose Live Rattlesnakes Reckless
Some programs use unrestrained rattlesnakes with handlers nearby. One missed cue and a strike is on the dog before anyone can react.
Gracie during rattlesnake avoidance training Gracie during rattlesnake avoidance training Gracie during rattlesnake avoidance training Gracie during rattlesnake avoidance training Gracie during rattlesnake avoidance training
Meet Gracie

A Service Dog Who Went to Work — Even During Rattlesnake Avoidance Training.

Gracie is a service dog trained to sniff out cancer. Her handler came in hesitant — Gracie is sensitive to e-collar stimulation and prone to ear infections, and the stakes felt high. Our trainers focused on positive reinforcement throughout, taking careful breaks to avoid overstimulating her.

Gracie picked up the course quickly. She required very little e-collar stimulation — mostly the vibrate setting — to build a strong avoidance response. But what stood out most was what happened next: Gracie didn't just avoid the rattlesnakes. She went into working mode. She began jumping on her handler and attempting to physically push her away from the snakes — protecting her the way she protects her every day.

The handler arrived stressed. She left smiling, completely at ease — amazed at how smoothly everything went, and couldn't be happier with the result.

★★★★★ Google Review
"We love Snake School! This was Gracie's refresher course, and if we had known about it the first time, we definitely would have started here. There is no comparison to our first experience elsewhere, which was just a backyard setup with a few boxes and live snakes, nothing close to real-life conditions. Snake School takes you out into real field environments, like actual hiking situations, which makes a huge difference. We trained together the way it's meant to be done — no handing off to a handler, just real teamwork and response. Gracie stayed engaged with me the entire time, and we both felt calm and confident afterward. I 100% recommend Snake School!"
— Ronni, Gracie's Handler
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Attention Neighbors

We've caught over 150 rattlesnakes at people's homes in Santa Clarita since March.

At Cary Quashen Snake Wrangling · As of June 10th, 2026

Rattlesnake Population →

Talk to Us

Available 7 Days a Week.

We are available to talk 7 days a week, and would love to chat with you. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

Contact

Have a question? Send us a message.

Booking, scheduling, private home sessions, or anything else. We typically respond within one business day. For faster help, just text us.

We typically respond within 1 business day. For faster help, text us at 661-658-1774.

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