Local Dogs Get Schooled on Rattlesnakes Thanks to Desert Safety Program

Animal Samaritans partnered with Natural Solutions to bring rattlesnake aversion training to local dogs, giving desert pet owners a way to protect their animals on trails and in open outdoor spaces.

The class introduces dogs to live rattlesnakes in a controlled setting, teaching them to identify and avoid the reptiles rather than investigate them. Instructor Eric Briggs walked participants through the species they're most likely to encounter in the area, including the Southern Pacific rattlesnake and the Western Diamondback, which Snake Handler Rob Allevea says causes more fatalities in the U.S. than any other species. Allevea noted that Palm Springs sits at the farthest western edge of the Diamondback's range.

Several owners brought their dogs specifically because of local hiking habits. Leonard said he and his dog Sunny frequently visit the off-leash park near Highway 74, an area he knows can have snakes nearby. "We would rather have Sunny have some experience to be able to identify them and go the other way," he said. Melissa, who brought her dogs Tanner and Tiki, said she takes them hiking and backpacking and lives in an open area where, as she put it, "anything could get inside," adding that her dogs tend to go after anything that moves.

An estimated 150,000 dogs and cats in the United States are bitten by venomous snakes each year. Veterinarians advise that if a pet is bitten, owners should stay calm, limit the animal's movement, and call ahead to confirm the clinic carries antivenom before heading in, as not all locations keep it on hand.

For owners who missed this session, upcoming training dates are available here.