Rattlesnake Avoidance Clinic
for Dogs
Thank you to everyone who brought their dogs out for the 2026 Rattlesnake Avoidance Clinic, it was another great year! We're grateful for your support of Mountain Canine Corps and for keeping your dogs safe in rattlesnake country.
Clinic dates and locations for 2027 will be posted here when available. Follow us on social media or check back closer to spring for updates.
For more than a decade, the Rattlesnake Avoidance Clinic has brought together dog owners, outdoor enthusiasts, and community supporters for hands-on, life-saving rattlesnake avoidance training. As our largest annual fundraiser, this clinic not only provides a critical tool for protecting dogs who live, work, and recreate in rattlesnake country it also supports Mountain Canine Corps’ all-volunteer search-and-rescue team, helping fund training, equipment, and operational readiness when every minute matters.
Terry and Janet Chandler conduct rattlesnake avoidance clinics (RAC) across the Southwest and in other regions of the U.S. Their clinics are second to none because they work! They have been conducting these clinics for more than twenty-five years with unparalleled success. Terry has more than 40 years of experience training and handling dogs, specializing in top performance sporting dogs including finishing more than 100 field champions.
2026 marked the 13th year Terry & Janet have conducted RAC for residents in Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and beyond. Terry uses specially designed e-collars for this training, adjusting for each dog’s size, age, breed, physical shape, medical precondition and personality. The goal is to replace curiosity with abject fear to avoid rattlers in a safe manner. They own and operate Rugerheim Kennels in Las Cruces, NM, home to some of the top German Shorthair Pointers in the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every spring since 2014, non-profit dog clubs have hosted Rattlesnake Avoidance Clinics conducted by Terry and Janet Chandler of Rugerheim German Shorthaired Pointers Kennel, Las Cruces, NM.
Terry's clinics are considered the best in the Southwest based on his experience, knowledge and results as attested to by thousands of dog owners. Mountain Canine Corps brings committed and experienced volunteers to insure you and your dog are prepared, while keeping to the schedule. No other similar clinic affords this level of assistance and professionalism.
These clinics are open to all dogs.
Dates for the next clinics will be announced in early 2027. Please follow us on social media or check our website for more information as we get closer to the event.
In the Southwest, we live in rattlesnake country. When we take our dogs on walks, hiking, running in fields, hunting, search and rescue, field practice, competing in field events, into our courtyards, patios and even into garages or out buildings, there are chances for encounters with rattlers. In 22 years living outside of Santa Fe, my Brittanys have encountered 30+ snakes, four of them rattlers, on our 2.5 acre property with most encounters occurring inside our courtyard or within 20 ft. of our home.
In 2016, local SF veterinarians reported an increase in dogs being bitten by rattlers. Veterinarians in both Santa Fe and Albuquerque have been strong advocates for these MCC SAR sponsored clinics with several vets participating with their dogs. It is not usual to have families participate. Youngsters, whether observing or handling the dog, learn their dog's unique avoidance behavior to alert all of a rattler being near.