Otero K9 Snake Safety

Our avoidance training teaches dogs to recognize and stay away from rattlesnakes in real-world situations. Using live snakes in a safe, controlled setting, we help dogs build a clear and lasting association so they learn to avoid the sound, scent, and sight of rattlesnakes. Each session is designed with both safety and effectiveness in mind, and all follow-up refreshers are free to ensure your dog’s training stays sharp year after year. We also offer basic behavior training sessions to help you live comfortably with your dogs

When a rattlesnake shows up where it doesn’t belong, safety is always the top priority; for people, pets, and the snake itself. Our removal process is both humane and gentle, using proven handling techniques to relocate the animal without unnecessary stress or harm. Every removal is done with respect for the snake’s role in the ecosystem, while ensuring that your property and loved ones remain safe.

Education is one of the most powerful tools for reducing fear and promoting safe coexistence with snakes. At Otero K9 Snake Safety, we partner with the nonprofit, Island of Misfit Morphs to bring interactive classroom presentations and engaging community events to schools, fairs, and local organizations. These programs give people of all ages the chance to learn how to identify native snakes, understand their behavior, and practice safe responses when they encounter them. By combining hands-on experiences with practical safety tips, we help the community build respect for wildlife while staying safe in our desert environment.

Keeping snakes out of your space starts with prevention. At Otero K9 Snake Safety, we offer practical tips and personalized recommendations to help make your property less inviting to unwanted visitors. This includes guidance on removing attractants like rodent activity, tall grass, and debris piles, as well as ways to seal up gaps, cracks, and openingswhere snakes may try to enter structures. For high-risk areas, we also recommend and advise on snake-proof fencing to create a physical barrier around yards or dog runs. Our goal is to help you understand how to discourage snakes from making your home their own, so you can enjoy peace of mind while living in snake country.

Whether it’s a home, ranch, construction project, or outdoor event space, our property and site inspections help identify and address potential snake risks before people or pets move in. Using years of experience in snake behavior and handling, we conduct thorough safety sweeps to locate and remove any snakes present, as well as highlight areas that may attract them; such as burrows, brush, or gaps in fencing. These proactive inspections give property owners and crews the confidence to move forward safely while minimizing the chance of unexpected encounters.

We provide professional reptile and wildlife wrangling services for film and media productions, ensuring both safety and authenticity on set. Our handler conducts thorough safety sweeps of filming areas to clear any unwanted wildlife before production begins, and we remain on-site to handle removals or unexpected encounters as needed. In addition, we can supply and safely manage a variety of native species from the Southwest, including rattlesnakes, non-venomous snakes, other reptiles, arachnids and insects, for use in scenes where natural accuracy is essential. Every project is handled with the highest level of care for both crew safety and animal welfare.