There's nothing like farm life, but that comes with plenty of dangers to pets. Although you cannot completely protect your pets from things like snake bites and toxic plants, there are a few things you can do as a dog owner.
This guide focuses on dog snake bite prevention and practical steps to reduce risks around rural properties. In this blog, we're going to show you a few ways to reduce the risk of snakes finding your property attractive and improve farm dog safety.
Snake Safety Tips for Rural Dog Owners in Australia
If you live on acreage, your dog is often the first to explore a rustling in tall grass. Good habits are part of snake safety for dogs and can dramatically lower dangerous encounters.
Practicing off-leash dog safety means giving your dog plenty of freedom while maintaining control in high-risk areas.
"If snakes are a common threat in your area, you could consider building a snake-proof fence around all or part of your property. If you are walking your dog close to bushland — especially near water during the summer months — please keep your dog on a leash and avoid long grassy areas," explains the ASPCA.
How to Keep Dogs Safe from Snakes
During spring and summer, you'll notice that snakes are more abundant. Although they play an integral role in maintaining ecosystem balance, snakes can also pose a risk to pets and livestock. Proper dog snake bite prevention starts with awareness and routine checks of your property.
We have tips below to support dog snake-bite prevention, but remember that many snakes are harmless. Avoid handling them, and they will usually move away on their own if left undisturbed.
Wear long pants and boots when on the farm, and keep your dog on a leash, as a dog's curiosity has often led to a snakebite. Snakes also frequent farm equipment storage areas and any area where grains, livestock feed, and hay are stored.
These habits help protect dogs from snakes while working outdoors.
So how can you keep them away from your pets and livestock?
- Keep grass trimmed around high-traffic areas
- Remove woodpiles and debris near dog areas
- Get rid of rats that attract snakes
- Allow for water sources to be clearly visible
- Block pet access under sheds and porches
- Take time to train your pup for a strong recall and "leave it" command using recall training for dogs outdoors.
- Opt for the My Pet Command 1 Mile 2 Collar Kit, featuring a remote-controlled, long-range dog training collar with a no-shock option.
Around trails or bushland:
- Stay on clear paths
- Avoid tall grass during warm mornings and evenings
- Use a leash in dense vegetation to maintain off-leash dog safety.
Your goal is simple: eliminate surprise meetings through consistent dog snake bite prevention habits.
Common Snake Types in Australia and the US
Australia is home to some of the most fascinating and formidable snakes on the planet. With over 170 species across the continent, the vast majority prefer retreat over confrontation.
Still, understanding which snakes are common and where they live is essential, especially for pet owners, hikers, and rural families interested in farm dog safety.
Here's a closer look at some of the most commonly encountered snakes in Australia and the US, both venomous and non-venomous.
AUSTRALIA
1. Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis)
Status: Highly venomous
Habitat: Farms, paddocks, suburban edges
Behavior: Fast, alert, prefers escape
The Eastern Brown snake is considered one of the world's second-most venomous snakes. It is often found on farms and in farm buildings, thriving in barns, sheds, and dark places. Dogs frequently get bitten when attracted to movement in the grass, making dog snake-bite prevention especially important in spring.
2. Red-Bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus)
Status: Venomous
Habitat: Near water, creeks, wetlands
Behavior: Usually retreats quickly
This is one of the calmer types of Australian snakes that dogs often encounter near dams, rivers, or agricultural irrigation channels. The Red-Bellied Black Snake is indigenous to Australia and is among the most commonly encountered snakes in eastern Australia. Awareness helps protect dogs from snakes in wet environments.
3. Carpet Python (Morelia spilota)
Status: Non-venomous
Habitat: Forests, farms, sheds, roofs
Behavior: Slow, defensive only when handled
The Carpet Python is one of the most effective rodent controllers. This is a large but harmless snake to people and pets unless provoked, and is commonly discussed in snake safety for dogs training programs. They do kill prey by constriction, yet they are among the most popular pet snake types.
UNITED STATES
1. Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Status: Venomous
Habitat: Wooded areas, yards, rock piles
Behavior: Relies on camouflage rather than fleeing
The Copperhead snake attacks most often when people or dogs come into contact with it by accident. They are mostly found in the Eastern and Central United States and have a heavy rather than slender build. During the winter, they hibernate in dens, such as limestone crevices, and are frequently discussed in dog-snake-bite prevention education.
2. Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus species)
Status: Venomous
Habitat: Dry regions, trails, rocky terrain
Behavior: Warns with rattle before striking
Dogs often approach the sound rather than retreat, which is exactly the wrong decision. Outdoor training and recall training for dogs help prevent these encounters.The Western Rattlesnake is most common in eastern Washington. Western Rattlesnakes prefer dry areas with low or sparse vegetationand use rocky areas for basking.
3. Garter Snake (Thamnophis species)
Status: Non-venomous
Habitat: Gardens, lawns, near water
Behavior: Harmless and common
The Garter snake is most frequently found in North and Central America, as well as in central Canada and Costa Rica, and is often part of early snake safety for dogs exposure training.
They are closely related to water snakes and are among the few snake species worldwide that can be both venomous and poisonous.
The My Pet Command 1 Mile Long-Range Dog Training Collar
The My Pet Command 1 Mile Long-Range Dog Training Collar lets you reinforce recall and "leave it" commands even when your dog is hundreds of yards away. Designed for two dogs, the collar offers 100 levels of electrostatic shock, vibration, and audible tones. A bright beacon light ensures visibility up to 164 yards (150 m) in the dark.
By creating invisible boundaries around high-risk areas such as creek beds, brush lines, rock walls, or equipment sheds,you improve dog snake bite prevention while maintaining freedom.
The My Pet Command 2-in-1 Smart Wireless GPS Dog Fence and Training Collar (MPCGPS4) allows pet parents to:
- Set no-go zones around snake-prone areas
- Reinforce recall using tone and vibration
- Maintain freedom while guiding safe movement and supporting off-leash dog safety
For farms, trails, and big open spaces, keeping your pup under control instead of letting them roam freely helps prevent snake bites and can be life-saving. When your pup learns that checking in with you always comes first, you strengthen dog snake bite prevention while still giving them freedom to enjoy off-leash runs.
