Un-Chase!® Snakes
Safety through skill, not fear
A snake encounter can turn into a life-threatening emergency in seconds. But what if your dog knew how to respond?
Un-Chase!® Snakes teaches dogs to recognise snake-related cues and return to you, rather than investigate or chase. This comprehensive small-group program combines hands-on training, manageable home practice and personalised coaching to build practical safety skills you can maintain for life.
Safety made simple
Many dogs' first instinct around movement or an interesting scent is to investigate. Around snakes, that can quickly become deadly.
Built on the same learning principles as scent-detection work, Un-Chase!® Snakes teaches dogs to recognise snake-related cues and calmly return to you.
Training is entirely reward-based, using carefully controlled scent and movement exercises rather than shock collars or live snakes. The focus is on building confidence, clear communication and a safer response.
How it works
You'll be part of a small group of fellow dog lovers, learning new skills and cheering each other on. The training follows a clear, step-by-step pathway, so there's no need to figure it all out yourself. With short exercises, regular feedback and plenty of support, you'll know what to practise next and how to keep progressing.
Along the way, you'll also build a stronger recall, better communication and a closer bond with your dog, while becoming a more confident and capable trainer yourself.
Step 1 : Kick things off
Two-hour workshop | Fryerstown
We'll cover practical snake-safety strategies, emergency recall and the foundations of your dog's alert behaviour. You'll practise together and leave ready to start your home training.
Step 2: Build your skills at home
28 days of guided practice and support
Follow short daily videos and exercises through the official Un-Chase!® app, developed by program founder Alexis Davison. Allow around 10–15 minutes on training days.
I'll keep you on track with four live online check-ins and four personalised video reviews.
Before Fieldwork sessions, you'll submit a short video to demonstrate your dog's foundation skills, with extra guidance and reassessment if needed.
Step 3 : Take it into the field
Four hands-on Fieldwork sessions | Fryerstown
Put your training into action using realistic snake cues, including scent, movement and replicas.
Each dog receives individual coaching within a one-hour group session, with the option to observe and learn from the other dogs.
Step 4: Keep the skills for life
Lifetime resources | Ongoing refresher opportunities
You'll have lifetime access to the Un-Chase!® review course and community support, plus access to my Snake Safety Social Club, with affordable brush-up sessions exclusively for graduates.
Your snake safety roadmap
Join the next group
November 2026 intake | Fryerstown, Victoria
Snake season is already here. Give yourself and your dog the time and support to start building useful safety skills now.
Your in-person training dates
Saturday 21 November, 9–11 am: Kickoff workshop
Saturday 9 January, 9–10 am: Fieldwork session 1
Saturday 16 January, 9–10 am: Fieldwork session 2
Saturday 23 January, 9–10 am: Fieldwork session 3
Saturday 30 January, 9–10 am: Fieldwork session 4
Your guided home training takes place between November and January, with flexibility built in over Christmas.
You'll also have four live online troubleshooting catch-ups, with recordings available if you can't attend.
Troubleshooting session dates: Wednesdays 25 November, 2 & 16 December, and 6 January. Time: 6:30–7 pm (AEDT)
Here's what's included:
Two-hour in-person kickoff workshop
Four hands-on Fieldwork sessions with individual coaching
Full access to the Un-Chase!® app, with guided home training throughout the program
Four live online group check-ins
Four personalised video reviews
Snake training kit with replicas and scent
Lifetime review resources and community support
Access to graduate refresher sessions (booked separately)
Program investment: $699
Can't make these dates?
Join the waitlist to hear about upcoming groups, or get in touch to enquire about private Un-Chase!® Snakes training.
For the love of dogs (and snakes!)
I've spent over a decade working with dogs and their humans, with a background spanning dog training, human psychology and anthrozoology (the study of relationships between humans and other animals). I'm also a Licensed Un-Chase!® Snakes Trainer, having completed rigorous specialist training and assessment to deliver this program.
As a wildlife advocate and volunteer rescuer, I'm passionate about protecting all animals, including our slithery neighbours. I understand just how worrying snakes can be when you share your life with dogs, but I also believe we can take meaningful steps towards safer coexistence.
You'll have me in your corner throughout, offering practical guidance, encouragement and personalised feedback as you and your dog develop skills you can keep building on together.
Your snake-safety questions, untangled
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Traditional snake-avoidance training often relies on electronic shock collars to discourage dogs from approaching snakes. Un-Chase!® Snakes takes a different approach, using reward-based learning to teach dogs to recognise snake-related cues, disengage and communicate with their person.
You'll learn how to develop, practise and maintain these skills yourself, with ongoing coaching and support.
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No. Training uses simulated snake movement, replicas, and scent, without live snakes or aversive equipment. The focus is on helping dogs learn through positive reinforcement.
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Yes! Dogs can learn to recognise snake-related cues and respond with a trained behaviour rather than investigating or chasing. Of course, consistent practice is essential, and no training can guarantee protection from snakebite.
One lovely example comes from Sunny, a Jack Russell trained through the Un-Chase!® program. When she encountered a brown snake, she stopped, turned away, ran straight back to her guardian and performed her trained alert.
As her guardians put it, “Pretty remarkable for any dog, and especially so for a curious Jack Russell.”
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No training can guarantee protection from snakebite. Our aim is to reduce risk by teaching dogs to recognise snake-related cues, disengage and alert their person.
These skills work alongside sensible supervision and environmental management, not instead of them.
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No. The program is designed for situations where you're present, such as spending time together in the garden or walking outdoors.
It isn't designed to protect dogs left unattended in snake habitat. For those situations, we recommend keeping dogs indoors or in an appropriately designed snake-proof enclosure.
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Your dog doesn't need to interact with other dogs, but they do need to be comfortable enough to learn in a managed small-group environment.
If your dog becomes very distressed around other dogs, private training may be a better option.
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You'll begin with 28 days of short, guided home-training activities, generally requiring 10–15 minutes on training days. You'll then continue with relevant app exercises alongside the four Fieldwork sessions.
The training is broken into manageable steps, with flexibility for busy days and support to help you stay on track. Consistent practice is important, but you won't be left to figure everything out on your own.
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Up to two people can attend the in-person sessions with each dog. In fact, having another household member involved can be a great way to keep your training consistent at home.
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Yes, children are welcome, provided they're comfortable in a workshop environment and can participate without disrupting the dogs' learning.
The sessions involve listening, observing and periods of focused training, so they're generally better suited to older children. If you're unsure whether the program would suit your child, get in touch and we can chat.
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Potentially, yes! Generally, you'll bring one dog to the in-person sessions, but the skills you learn may also help you train another dog at home.
Each dog will need to progress at their own pace, and additional dogs won't automatically be included in the in-person coaching or assessments. Get in touch if you'd like to discuss training multiple dogs.
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Before progressing, you'll submit a video demonstrating the required foundation skills. If your dog needs more time, I'll provide feedback and an opportunity for reassessment.
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Life happens! While make-up sessions aren't included, missing an occasional session doesn't necessarily mean you can't complete the program.
You'll still have access to the app, training resources and personalised video feedback to help you keep progressing. You will, however, miss out on that session's hands-on practice and individual coaching.
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You'll have lifetime access to the review course and community support, plus opportunities to book affordable quarterly refreshers through the Snake Safety Social Club.
Regular practice helps keep those important skills in good shape.
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Your program includes a snake training kit with replicas and scent, along with the app-based resources you'll need.
You'll also need your usual reward-based training essentials, including suitable food rewards, a comfortable harness and lead, and a phone or camera to record short training videos.
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When you enrol, you're booking a place in the complete program, rather than individual sessions. With only a handful of places available, each booking represents a significant commitment of time and resources.
For this reason, refunds aren't offered if you change your mind or decide to withdraw partway through.

