A Ranch Workshop
KEN RAMIREZ PRESENTS
Positive Reinforcement Snake Avoidance Training
May 17 - 18, 2025
Join Ken Ramirez in person for an in-depth two-day workshop to learn how to teach your dog to avoid venomous snakes using positive reinforcement!
Historically, snake avoidance training has relied on aversive methods, with the most common approach being to instill fear in dogs by pairing the sight of a snake with a strong aversive, such as an electric shock. This course offers an effective, humane alternative–one that has eluded many trainers! Ken’s groundbreaking positive reinforcement protocol for snake avoidance training has demonstrated a success rate of over 95%.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
In this two-day workshop, you will learn Ken’s go-to, positive reinforcement protocol for teaching dogs to detect, indicate, and avoid snakes. You will also learn how to adapt this protocol to help keep dogs safe from a wide range of environmental dangers, including skunks, porcupines, and other critters.
Snake avoidance training can be a lifesaver for dogs that live in areas with venomous snakes—on the plains and in the desert, mountains, and forests. Ken has a long and consistent track record of teaching snake avoidance protocols to trainers all over the world. Ken’s training protocol emphasizes solid generalization and stimulus control, which is key to its consistent success.. Additionally, he will introduce his desensitization protocol, a training process that he often teaches when success is critical.
If you’re interested in booking a private group session, please contact us at theranch@clickertraining.com.
AGENDA
Sample Day:
Each day consists of lectures followed by hands-on training sessions. Working teams will train with their dogs, while observers participate through role-play, observation, and data-taking. Participants also have the opportunity to meet some of the Ranch animals after class on Day 1.
Sample Schedule:
9:00 am: Welcome and Topic #1 - History, Definitions & the Basics Done Really Well
10:00 am: Training Session # 1- Demonstrating Basic Recall and Indicator Behaviors
11:00 am: Topic #2 - Basic Desensitization - Why it is the Key to Success
12:00 pm: Training Session #2 - Basic Behaviors with Controlled Distractions
1:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm: Topic #3 - Adding Distance and Building Behavior Chains
3:00 pm: Training Session #3 - Chaining Recall with Alert Behaviors
4:00 pm: Topic #4 - Working with Odors
4:45 pm: Training Session #4 - Introducing Odors
5:45 pm: Discussion and Q&A
6:00 pm: End of Day
6:15 pm (Extra): Tour the Barn and Meet the Animals
PRICING
This workshop is designed for up to 30 students and 6 working dog-handler teams; it will be offered just once in 2025. Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dog/Handler
Team Requirements
CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS
Stay tuned for 2025 CEUs!
In previous years, The Ranch courses received CEU accreditation from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), and Karen Pryor Academy (KPA).
LEARN ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
OTHER WORKSHOPS
Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D
& Ken Ramirez present
COACHING PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY
August 23 - 24, 2025
Details are subject to change