The way this group does it is in 2 stations. First station is a scent and sight station. Once dogsees & smells the snake (we have more than just rattlers) theygethit with the collar. The second station is scent, sight and sound station. So that when the dog goes in on the sound the get a big old bolt to simulate the pain associated with the snake bite. So that all the senses tell him you need to get the heck out of Dodge.

If you do it this year you MUST do it again next year. Depending on the dog you may be able to take a year off. Living where you do though I wouldn't.

My 9 year old knows as soon as we pull up what's going to happen. Her whole personality changes, her head drops and she doesn't want to leave the truck. She's gone 5 out of 8 years. She'll go for a reminder this year.
We never dispatch a snake in front of our dogs becase everything they see us kill they're supposed to go get, "complete the harvest".
I hate snakes! Good luck!