NAVHDA has partnered with David “The Cobra Kid” Weathers, a professional venomous snake handler and animal trainer for a new and improved Snake Avoidance Clinic. The training aims to teach your dog to avoid the snake by conditioning them to the sight, smell and sound of snakes. This type of training could save your dog’s life, and possibly yours. David will handle several native snakes which will be contained in a safe environment and placed in normal hunting situations in the field. The snakes will be moved so each handler and dog will have new scent. Participants will learn about venomous snakes and their distinct features and natural habitat. We will add gunfire to the training, since dogs have been bitten even after avoiding the snake because the handler shot at the snake. Training will incorporate the element of a verbal command, since a handler’s natural reaction to a snake is often verbal.