Putting space between the hiss and the yelp

In Southern California, rattlesnake encounters are common. Calm reactions are not. That goes for animals as well as humans, which is why Patrick Callaghan is a busy, busy man.

A professional dog trainer since the ‘60s, Callaghan has been conducting rattlesnake avoidance clinics for more than 20 years, primarily for dogs but also for horses, llamas, goats and cats.

Almost every weekend, you can find him somewhere in the Southland, at dog clubs, kennels and ranches. He’s anywhere snakes and civilization collide.

“Especially now because of the fires, rattlesnakes have really been pushed, and we’ve been hearing more about sightings of rattlesnakes than we’ve heard about in years,” said Callaghan, who’s been told about rattlesnakes on golf courses and in trees by big retail outlets.

Rattlesnakes live at all elevations--from sea level to the mountains, prairie land to desert. People vacationing in remote areas sometimes inadvertently bring rattlesnakes home with them, curled up in the frames of their cars, he said.

Callaghan’s sessions, which last about 30 minutes and cost $60 to $70 per animal, use live rattlesnakes that are milked and defanged to teach animals of the furry, four-legged variety how to recognize snakes by sight, sound and smell -- and then to avoid them.

“It’s very safe and harmless to the rattlesnake and no danger to the dog or people,” said Callaghan, who uses remote training collars on the animals he’s training. “It’s very humane.”

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Rattlesnake Avoidance Training Clinics for Dogs. Reservations required. Upcoming sessions: Australian Shepherd Club of Southern California in Moorpark, June 19, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., (626) 359-1539; Gameland Kennels in Norco, June 26-27, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., (909) 735-3251; Private residence in Santa Clarita, July 10-11, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., (661) 250-4600.