A professional dog trainer and a rattlesnake expert are stopping in Santa Clarita this weekend for one day only to host a rattlesnake avoidance class for dogs.

Pet owners can sign up for individual training sessions set to be held at Hart Park on Saturday, which will feature live rattlesnakes that have had their mouths banded shut to prevent them from biting.

“Our first priority is the comfort and safety of all involved,” said Gina Gables, who has more than 25 years of experience as a professional dog trainer and owner of Ma & Paw Kennel Canine Training Services. “This includes your dogs, the humans and the snakes as well.”

In partnership with Steve Gardner, who has more than 30 years of experience studying the behavior and ecology of rattlesnakes and other reptiles, Gables will personally train every dog to recognize and avoid the scent, sound and sight of rattlesnakes using a humane training process.

“We have three options of devices available allowing us to humanely and effectively train dogs with temperaments ranging from the most tenacious to the highly sensitive, as well as puppies of any age,” she said.

Using a remote training collar system that is adjusted to each dog’s individual temperament, personality and physical response characteristics, the devices deliver “an uncomfortable stimulus” when the dog becomes aware of the snake’s presence through smell, hearing or sight.

“We do this so the dog will be able to avoid an encounter with a rattlesnake if any of these clues to a rattlesnake’s presence are available individually, even if the other clues aren’t present,” Gables said.

For example, a dog that is downwind of a rattlesnake will likely smell it before they can see it, and without getting close enough for the rattlesnake to give a “warning” rattle.

“The dog, by avoiding just the smell, would avoid the rattlesnake,” Gabled added. “If the owner is observant of the dog’s behavior, he or she can possibly prevent themselves or others from being bitten as well.”

Gables travels to ten different counties throughout Southern California to teach these rattlesnake avoidance classes, with an ultimate goal of helping spare both dogs and pet owners the pain and distress — as well as the expense — caused by a dog becoming a victim of a rattlesnake bite.

Reservations are required, as space is limited. For more information or to register online, click here or call (805) 523-3432.