Snake Aware Dog Training
Reward-Based Snake Avoidance Training for Dogs in Adelaide
For dogs living and walking in snake-prone areas, learning how to move away from snakes can be an important safety skill.
Snake Aware is our positive, force-free snake avoidance training program for dogs in Adelaide. Rather than using shock collars, fear or punishment, we use reward-based training to teach dogs a specific behaviour when they detect snake-related visual or scent cues.
Our goal is to help your dog learn to disengage and move away, while giving you practical skills to continue strengthening their response at home.
No live snakes are used during training.
Snake Aware is available as a small-group workshop in Blackwood and Glenalta, or as private training in your home.
How Does Reward-Based Snake Avoidance Training Work?
Rather than punishing a dog for approaching a snake, we teach them what we want them to do instead.
Through carefully structured training, dogs learn that snake-related visual and scent cues are a signal to disengage, move away and return to their handler.
During training, we use real snake sheds and realistic artificial snakes so dogs can practise responding to both scent and visual cues without exposing dogs or snakes to the risks associated with using live snakes.
Because avoidance training relies on your dog being able to disengage and return to you, a strong recall is an important foundation for the program.
Training Options
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Small Group Snake Avoidance Training
Our Snake Aware Workshop is a practical, hands-on session designed to teach you how to build and continue your dog's snake avoidance training.
With a maximum of 6 dogs per workshop, you’ll receive individual coaching while working through the training exercises with your own dog.
The workshop is suitable for dogs who are comfortable working around unfamiliar dogs and people.
If your dog is reactive, fearful or overwhelmed in group environments, our Private Snake Aware Training will be more suitable.
Workshop Details:
Locations: Blackwood Uniting Church or Sherwood Reserve, GlenaltaDuration: One 90-minute workshop
Group size: Maximum 6 dogs
Cost: $125 per dog
Upcoming Snake Aware Workshops:
Blackwood:
Saturday 26 September · 8.45 am
Saturday 17 October · 8.45 am
Saturday 19 December · 8.45 amGlenalta – Sherwood Reserve
Wednesday 28 October · 5.45 pm
Wednesday 2 December · 5.45 pmRecall Prerequisite
Dogs attending Snake Aware need a strong, reliable recall around distractions.We recommend completing Paws & Reward's Rapid Recall course before attending. If your dog has completed recall training elsewhere or already has a strong recall, please contact us before booking so we can confirm suitability.
What to Bring
Please bring:5-metre long line
Treat pouch
Plenty of high-value treats, such as roast chicken or cheese
A long line and treat pouch are required for participation and can be purchased when booking if needed.
What's Included?
Your Snake Aware workshop includes:✔ 90-minute practical workshop
✔ Individual coaching throughout the session
✔ Access to the private Snake Aware Student Hub
✔ Real snake shed for safe scent-training practice at home
✔ Realistic artificial snake for continued trainingWant Extra One-on-One Support?
Add a 45-minute private follow-up session in your home for $155 when booking your workshop.This can be particularly useful if you'd like help transferring the training to your own property or working through challenges specific to your dog.
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Private Snake Avoidance Training at Home
Prefer one-on-one training? Need flexible scheduling? Or have a dog who isn't comfortable in a group environment?
Our Private Snake Aware Course provides personalised training tailored to your dog, your home environment and your individual needs.
Unlike the group workshop, your dog does not need to have completed a recall course before starting the private program. We work on the recall skills needed for Snake Aware training during your first session before progressing to the snake avoidance exercises.
Private training is also suitable for:
Dogs who have not completed a recall course
Dogs who are uncomfortable around unfamiliar dogs or people
Owners unable to attend scheduled workshops
Multi-dog households
Cats requiring snake avoidance training
Private Course Details:
Location: Your home, unless otherwise arrangedCourse structure:
Session 1 – 45 minutes
We introduce the foundations of reward-based snake avoidance training and work on the recall skills your dog will need for the program, so there is no requirement to complete a separate recall course beforehand. We’ll also discuss environmental safety and introduce the first stages of the training.Session 2 – 60 minutes
We build your dog’s avoidance response using both visual and scent-based snake cues and teach you how to continue strengthening the training safely at home.Investment: $400 for the complete private course
You can select your preferred initial appointment time through our online booking system.
Equipment
A 5-metre recall lead and treat pouch are required.If needed, these can be added when booking.
Organise a Private Snake Aware Workshop
Want to attend with friends, family or members of your dog training or sporting group?
We can arrange a private Snake Aware workshop for 3–6 dogs at a mutually suitable time.
Private group workshops can be a great option for:
Friends or family members
Rural property owners
Sporting and working dog groups
Neighbours wanting to train together
Why Choose Paws & Reward for Snake Avoidance Training?
Snake avoidance training doesn’t have to rely on fear, pain or intimidation.
At Paws & Reward, our Snake Aware program uses positive, reward-based training to teach dogs a clear behaviour when they encounter snake-related cues.
Our approach focuses on:
✔ Positive, force-free training
✔ No shock collars or pain-based methods
✔ No live snakes
✔ Visual and scent-based training
✔ Practical skills you can continue practising at home
✔ Small workshop sizes for individual support
✔ Experienced, qualified dog trainers
We want dogs to learn what to do when they detect a snake, rather than relying on fear to discourage them from approaching one.
Snake Avoidance Training FAQs
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Yes. Our Snake Aware program uses positive, reward-based training rather than shock collars, pain or intimidation.
Instead of punishing dogs for approaching snake-related cues, we teach them a specific alternative behaviour: disengage, move away and return to their handler.
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We use carefully structured exercises to teach your dog that snake-related visual and scent cues predict a particular response.
Rather than simply teaching your dog “don’t go near that”, we teach them what we want them to do instead — disengage from the cue, move away and return to you.
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No. We do not use live snakes during Snake Aware training.
Instead, we use real snake sheds for scent work and realistic artificial snakes for visual training, allowing dogs to practise without a live snake being present.
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No training can guarantee how a dog will respond during every real-life snake encounter.
Snake Aware is designed to teach and strengthen avoidance behaviours that may help reduce the risk of a dangerous interaction. Regular practice and ongoing reinforcement are important for maintaining these skills.
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Recall is an important part of our snake avoidance training because dogs need to be able to disengage from a potential hazard and return to their handler.
Dogs attending the group workshop should therefore have a strong recall around distractions before participating.
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For our group Snake Aware workshop, we recommend completing Rapid Recall first. If your dog already has a strong recall around distractions, you may be able to attend without completing the course. We may ask you to demonstrate your dog’s recall before confirming suitability.
Rapid Recall is not a prerequisite for our Private Snake Aware Course. Recall training is incorporated into the first private session, allowing us to work on the skills your individual dog needs before progressing to the snake avoidance exercises.
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The 90-minute group Snake Aware workshop costs $125 per dog.
Our two-session Private Snake Aware Course costs $400 and includes an initial 45-minute session followed by a 60-minute session.
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Dogs attending the group workshop need to be comfortable working around unfamiliar dogs and people.
If your dog is fearful, reactive or easily overwhelmed in a group environment, our Private Snake Aware Course provides a more appropriate one-on-one training option.
What Our Clients Say
We did the snake awareness training with our 10 month old golden retriever puppy, Margot. Lisa and Lena’s expertise and dedication to their techniques were incredible, and they were able to tailor their teaching styles to suit Margot’s needs and learning style. The hands on workshop allowed us to understand and put the concepts to practice to ensure the correct technique. We are very grateful towards Lisa and Lena for their support and guidance in Margot’s training journey!
— Gaby, Snake Aware Participant 2025Build Safer Responses Around Snakes
If you live, walk or travel with your dog in snake-prone areas, Snake Aware can give you practical tools to help your dog learn to disengage and move away from snake-related cues.
Our reward-based approach focuses on teaching your dog what to do, without relying on shock collars, pain or fear.
Choose a small-group Snake Aware workshop in Blackwood or Glenalta, or book personalised training in your own home.