Padfoot’s snake avoidance training is a specialised course during which we teach your dog to recognise and avoid both the smell and movement of venomous snakes commonly encountered on the Eastern Coast of Australia. Padfoot is one of only a very few providers suitably qualified to run this course in the whole of Australia.

We start by training your dog to recognise the smell and movement of snakes, and teach them to ‘LEAVE THAT’ using a variety of techniques including positive reinforcement and the controlled and humane use of an e-collar, tailored to the needs of each individual dog.

We also teach snake behavioural ecology and canine first aid to help owners understand snakes and what to do in the case of a bite.

Refresher training is recommended annually and it is indicated that after 3 to 4 years of refreshers most dogs have learnt it for good, helping to prevent your dog being one of the thousands bitten every year.

Given the possible welfare implications of untrained use of e-collars, Padfoot trainers - not owners or handlers - will apply any stimulation necessary via the e-collar at the correct time to impart the lesson to your dog. We work with highly skilled local snake handlers, and train dogs to avoid the two most commonly encountered species; the Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis), and the Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus).

Padfoot Animal Behaviourist James Davis has undertaken postgraduate research into canine snake avoidance at the University of Queensland in an attempt to continually improve the effectiveness of this approach.

Our courses run during the warmer months at our headquarters just outside Landsborough, Sunshine Coast, QLD. The course runs over four days comprising two consecutive days (Friday and Saturday) one month apart allowing interstate and distant participants to take part.

Each session is two hours long (a total of 8 hours per course). For example 8 am to 10 am on Friday and Saturday at the start of February; and then 8 am to 10 am on Friday and Saturday at the start of March. Dogs are rotated, allowing sufficient time for each to learn the lesson.

Afterpay is available on this course.

Spaces are strictly limited (10). Please book now (below) to avoid disappointment. Because places are extremely limited we can’t offer any refunds or postponements post booking UNLESS your dog is unwell or injured (vet certified). Please make sure you book the most appropriate time for you to attend. The cost is per dog and there is no discount for multiple dogs in the same course. Thanks!

While we use the most contemporary methods available - and continually improve our approach - we can offer no guarantee that your dog will reliably avoid all snakes under all situations and circumstances. Our training teaches dogs that snakes are to be avoided, but in situations of heightened stress, training can be forgotten when instinct kicks in, particularly when it has been untested (or reinforced) for a while. Equally some species of snake are ambush predators and hence are difficult for us, or a dog, to spot until it is too late. Our snake avoidance training simply gives your dog the best chance possible. By booking this course you are agreeing to indemnify Padfoot against any liability should the worst happen.