How to Practice Rattlesnake Avoidance on Colorado Trails
- Sandra Winfrey
- Apr 2
- 7 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Practice rattlesnake avoidance techniques while hiking
in Colorado's snake-prone areas.
Colorado’s stunning landscapes make it a paradise for hikers and their dogs. However, as much as we love exploring nature, the wilderness comes with risks - one of the most concerning being rattlesnakes. Encountering a rattlesnake on the trail can be dangerous for both you and your dog, making proper avoidance training essential.
Many dog owners believe that their dog will instinctively avoid snakes, but this isn’t always true. Some dogs are naturally cautious, while others may be curious or even try to chase a snake. Without proper training, an unexpected encounter could lead to a costly emergency vet visit - or worse.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through positive, force-free rattlesnake avoidance training and practical steps to stay safe while hiking. No shock collars or fear-based methods - just clear, effective strategies that will help your dog understand how to steer clear of danger.
Key Takeaways for Rattlesnake Avoidance on Colorado Trails
Know the signs – Learn how to identify rattlesnake habitats and behavior.
Train a strong recall and “leave it” cue – Your dog’s response could save their life.
Use positive reinforcement – Avoid fear-based training that could backfire.
Leash up in snake-prone areas – Keeping your dog close reduces risk.
Be prepared – Know what to do in case of a bite.
How to Train Your Dog for Rattlesnake Avoidance
1. Understanding the Risk: Where and When Rattlesnakes Are Active
Rattlesnakes are most commonly found in dry, rocky areas, grasslands, and forests below 9,000 feet. In Colorado, they are active from spring through early fall, particularly on warm days. Morning and evening hikes can reduce the risk, as snakes tend to be less active during cooler parts of the day.
Breed and Age Considerations:
Herding breeds – May fixate on movement and chase a snake if not trained to disengage.
Sporting breeds – Tend to explore with their nose, increasing their chances of sniffing too close.
Terriers – Known for their fearless nature, they may try to attack a snake.
Companion breeds – Less likely to chase but still need training to recognize and avoid snakes.
Livestock guardian breeds – More independent and may investigate rather than back away.
Puppies – Often curious and less risk-aware; they may investigate sounds or scents without hesitation. Early exposure to scent training and recall games is critical.
Senior dogs – May have impaired vision or hearing and can easily miss the warning signs of a nearby snake. They benefit from structured guidance and being kept on leash in high-risk areas.
It's advised to begin snake avoidance foundation training around 6 months of age, when a puppy is developmentally ready to process structured learning and focus exercises.
2. Teaching a Reliable Recall and Emergency Stop
A solid recall cue ("Come" or "Here") is crucial for any outdoor adventure but even more when practicing rattlesnake avoidacne on Colorado trails. If you see a snake before your dog does, calling them back quickly can prevent a dangerous situation. and it is important for any other wildlife as well. This is one of the key foundations covered in my Rattlesnake Avoidance Training Course.
In the course, we go far beyond a basic recall. Your dog will also learn a dedicated alert signal - a specific behavior that communicates to you that they've noticed a rattlesnake in the environment. Whether they see it, scent it, or hear it, they’ll be trained to return to you immediately and give a clear, trained indication. This life-saving behavior not only keeps your dog safe but also informs you of danger you may not have noticed.
Still, recall is a great first step any dog owner can begin with:
Training Steps:
Start in your home or yard with no distractions.
Progress to low-distraction parks, then more natural settings like local trails (on leash).
Practice from greater distances, increasing the challenge slowly.
Introduce mild distractions like food on the ground or a friend standing nearby, rewarding heavily for choosing you.
Practice regularly with high-value rewards.
Emergency Stop (“Wait” or “Back”):
Practice stopping your dog mid-movement using food lures and praise.
Increase the distance gradually.
Add distractions like rustling leaves or animal scents.
Reward for stopping and returning to you.
Mastering ‘Leave It’ Learning to Ignore Hazards
3. Teaching “Leave It” for Wildlife
Dogs naturally investigate new things, making a “Leave it” cue essential. This is another foundation every dog owner can build before even enrolling in a class and starting their formal rattlesnake avoidance training. Teaching your dog to disengage from wildlife, trash, or anything unfamiliar is helpful not only for safety but for overall trail manners.
While these basics are incredibly useful, my course builds on them by layering advanced alert behaviors and snake-specific training. Dogs will learn how to interpret the presence of danger and choose to return to you with an intentional signal rather than investigating.
General Training Steps:
Hold a treat in your hand. Say "Leave it" as your dog sniffs or paws.
The moment they disengage, reward with a different treat.
Practice on the floor, then with objects in the yard.
Generalize the behavior outside on walks using the different objects.
4. Managing Your Dog on the Trail
Use a 6-foot leash in snake-prone areas.
Avoid retractable leashes.
Long lines (15-30 feet) are useful for training but not recommended in risky zones.
Gear to consider:
Snake gaiters – Protect your lower legs while hiking in tall grass or brush.
First-aid kit – Helpful for general injuries (not effective for snake bites).
Cooling packs – For hot days to help keep your dog comfortable.
Plenty of water – For both you and your dog, especially on dry or warm trails.
5. What to Do If Your Dog Encounters a Rattlesnake
If you see a rattlesnake before your dog does:
Stay calm. Sudden movements may startle the snake.
Call your dog to you immediately. Use your emergency recall.
Back away slowly. Give the snake space.
If your dog is bitten:
Carry them if possible to limit movement. Movement spreads venom faster through the body.
Remove collars and harnesses if swelling occurs.
Call ahead to the vet or emergency clinic to check if they have anti-venom.
Know your emergency vet options before going on hikes. Have a plan in place.
What NOT to do:
Do not try to suck out the venom.
Do not apply ice, tourniquets, or cut the wound.
Do not give your dog any medications unless advised by a veterinarian.
Your best course of action is to get your dog to the nearest veterinarian with anti-venom as quickly and calmly as possible.
Expanded Training Guidance: Navigating Wildlife and Outdoor Distractions
To build truly reliable behaviors, it’s important to understand that practice in low-distraction settings is only the beginning. Dogs do not generalize behaviors easily. A cue trained at home may not hold up in nature without real-world practice.
Recall
Start indoors, build success with distance and distractions.
Practice during hikes with a long line and gradually more challenging environments.
Emergency Stop
Start close, use food or toys.
Progress to calling out "Wait!" mid-movement with increasing distance.
Leave It
Progress from food to wildlife smells and eventually simulated snake objects.
Reward calmness and disengagement heavily.
This section supports general rattlesnake avoidance on Colorado trails, readiness and reinforces the kind of behavioral resilience needed for outdoor environments with unpredictable wildlife encounters.
Real-Life Example: Training Success on the Trail
Karah and her Australian Shepherd, Luna, had just completed a six-week Rattlesnake Avoidance Training Course and had continued practicing the skills regularly. One early morning while hiking near Castlewood Canyon, Luna suddenly came running back to Karah from several feet ahead. She touched Karah's leg gently with her nose in a practiced motion - her trained alert behavior.
Karah hadn’t seen or heard anything unusual, but she remembered what they had worked on in class and immediately clipped the leash to Luna’s harness. As she looked ahead to where Luna had just been, she noticed a rattlesnake curled quietly beside the trail, nearly hidden in the tall grass. Luna had detected the snake first - through scent, sight, sound or even vibration - and made the best choice to retreat and alert Karah rather than investigate.
Thanks to the training, Luna not only kept herself safe but also informed her human of the potential danger. They calmly took a wide detour around the snake and continued their hike safely. It was a textbook example of how preparation and consistent training can prevent a dangerous situation on the trail.
Bonus Tip: Teaching Self-Kennel Behavior
For those with rural properties and free-roaming dogs, another layer of protection is teaching your dog to kennel themselves in response to environmental triggers. This can be life-saving during unsupervised time outdoors. Begin by teaching the dog to go to their kennel on cue, and reinforce it with rewards. Eventually, you can pair the behavior with outdoor signals like the sound of a rattle or specific light/sound cues.
This is also an additional component of my Rattlesnake Avoidance Training Course. We cover how to teach this behavior - even if you're not hiking regularly but live on a property where free-roaming dogs might encounter snakes. It's a proactive step that gives your dog an option to seek safety independently.
Pre- and Post-Hike Checklist for Snake Areas
Before You Hike:
Check weather and temperature (avoid peak snake activity times).
Confirm your planned route and that your phone/GPS has signal. Bring a battery pack for long hikes.
Bring high-value training treats.
Pack a basic first-aid kit (for injuries other than snake bites).
Carry cooling packs if hiking on a warm day.
Bring enough water for you and your dog.
Review recall, emergency stop, and leave-it cues before heading out.
Clip leash to a visible, well-fitted harness or collar.
Know the location and contact info of the nearest emergency vet.
Check with the nearest vet if they have rattlesnake anti venom avaible.
After the Hike:
Check your dog for ticks, wounds, and swelling - especially around paws, legs, and face.
Look for any signs of fatigue or overheating (Also during the hike)
Offer fresh water and a cool-down period in the shade or car (also during the hike).
Clean and store gear (leash, gaiters, first-aid kit) for next use.
Reinforce key training behaviors (recall, leave-it) with a short fun session at home.
Reflect on what went well and adjust your plan for next time.
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Want to take your safety to the next level? I offer a six-week Rattlesnake Avoidance Training Course that teaches you everything you need to know about keeping your dog safe on the trails. This course focuses on force-free training methods to help your dog learn to avoid rattlesnakes and even alert you to their presence - without the use of shock collars or fear-based techniques. It comes with an optional online course as well that gives you access to all leaning materials for one year.
🔹 This course is offered once or twice a year,
so check out the next available date! 🔹
Stay safe and happy hiking!
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