The Snake School for Dogs

Highly Effective, Real-World Training with a Great, Adaptable Staff We recently had a rattlesnake in our backyard the gentleman who came out to relocate it referred us to his son’s business, The Snake School. The website was very clear and informative, and scheduling was incredibly easy. They also offer great multi-pet discounts alongside seasonal discounts. The setup itself is out in a dirt field—which is perfect, honestly, because that is exactly the type of real-world environment where you’d actually encounter a snake. It was also the ultimate test for my three crazy Jack Russells, who will naturally go after absolutely anything. The two-person staff was very friendly, offered us drinks, and were fantastic with the dogs. As someone with training experience, I was thoroughly impressed by their methodology: Humane E-Collar Work: They utilize high-quality E-collars, and I really love that they don't just blast the stimulation on high. They work at a lower level to find the dog's specific working threshold, which teaches them effectively without traumatizing them or causing their brains to shut down from fear. Hands-On & Flexible: I liked that while they walked the dog, I was able to walk right alongside them, and they let me handle my own dog at times. Targeting All Senses: They set up auditory, visual, and scent stations (with snakes under wood, rocks, and bushes) to mimic real-life situations. The rattlesnakes are safely caged, and they have non-lethal snakes cross the path, which mirrors exactly what happens on a real walk. Because they target all senses, this was especially amazing for one of my dogs who is deaf. While the dogs were naturally a bit anxious because it's a new situation, the staff was incredibly knowledgeable about breeds and reading canine body language. They knew exactly when a dog was getting overwhelmed and when to take a break. Two of my dogs are not very friendly with strangers or men, and the staff worked really hard to get them to comfortably take treats so they weren't overly stressed. They were also incredibly open to suggestions and feedback from another trainer, which doesn’t happen very often. By the time we completed the stations, all three of my Jacks wouldn't give any of the snakes a second look. It really is an incredibly effective program. I will definitely be recommending Snake School to my friends and my own training clients.

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!! 💓