Mallory Kwiatkowski wrote 02/01/2008 01:32 PM dogs and snakes #178457 - 02/01/2008 01:32 PM
Mallory Kwiatkowski Webboard User Reg: 11-23-2007 Posts: 947 Loc: Cold-ville, Wisconsin. Offline	i just got a ball python yesterday. my dogs are all terrified of snakes(naturally) and are even scared of snake skins we see while on hikes. so now, they are pretty scared of him-well, except the chi-who within seconds of meeting him started to lick him-stupid dog, the python is a few feet long and could eat him... i don't need them to not be afraid of Monty(python, lol)-but if and when they decide to accept him as a pack member(they can live 30+years), how can i make sure they won't decide to make nice with wild snakes?
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JessicaKromer wrote 02/01/2008 01:47 PM Re: dogs and snakes [Re: Mallory Kwiatkowski ] #178462 - 02/01/2008 01:47 PM
JessicaKromer Webboard User Reg: 10-28-2006 Posts: 991 Loc: CA Offline	Why do they have to be friends at all ? I think it is safer for the snake and the dogs to keep them separate. When I had snakes out, the dogs were up and vicea vresa… Dogs, even little ones, can do a lot of damage to a snake. And ball pythons tend to be among the least aggressive, most docile of all of the commonly available snakes. I have had rats that chew on a ball that was not hungry. It is unlikely that a ball will go for a chi unless it is really hungry and you allow them to be close enough. If the terrarium is in a common living area, correct the dogs from going near the cage. Just like you would a baby or when teaching a dog to stay out of a room. a They will live fine in this way after the newness has worn off. You may even be able to hold the ball while the calm dogs in the room. FWIW, the only time I had problems was when I brought dinner in. My female would get sooooo excited and intently watch as the feeding happened. She had to be put up. Jessica
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John Haudenshield wrote 02/01/2008 01:51 PM Re: dogs and snakes [Re: Mallory Kwiatkowski ] #178464 - 02/01/2008 01:51 PM
John Haudenshield Webboard User Reg: 07-12-2001 Posts: 447 Loc: Virginia Offline	Having had dogs & snakes, here's my take. I would generally keep the snake and the dogs separate. The snake would typically view a large mammal, such as a dog, investigating it as a potential threat. Ball Pythons, historically, ball up as a defense response, but many captive ones have lost this behavior. The other response is to bite defensively, which could be a painful lesson for your dogs, but could also get the snake killed depending on how your dog reacts to being bitten. John Haudenshield The School for Dogs
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Mallory Kwiatkowski wrote 02/01/2008 01:52 PM Re: dogs and snakes [Re: JessicaKromer ] #178465 - 02/01/2008 01:52 PM
Mallory Kwiatkowski Webboard User Reg: 11-23-2007 Posts: 947 Loc: Cold-ville, Wisconsin. Offline	not saying they have to be friends-it's easier if they don't. i was asking more along the lines of IF they accept the snake-and don't freak around it anymore-will that transfer over to wild snakes? and i was joking about the chi, lol. I have has many snakes before-just never snakes and dogs together..... i have seen rodents chew down the spine of a snake, scary. yeah-i have to get on the cats when the snake is out-they are just curious-but their claws are sharp when they paw at it-so i don't let them. But when the snake is out-the dogs are up and vice-versa-minus the time with the chi.
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Mallory Kwiatkowski wrote 02/01/2008 01:54 PM Re: dogs and snakes [Re: Mallory Kwiatkowski ] #178466 - 02/01/2008 01:54 PM
Mallory Kwiatkowski Webboard User Reg: 11-23-2007 Posts: 947 Loc: Cold-ville, Wisconsin. Offline	Quote: Mallory Kwiatkowski but if and when they decide to accept him as a pack member(they can live 30+years), how can i make sure they won't decide to make nice with wild snakes?
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susan tuck wrote 02/01/2008 02:06 PM Re: dogs and snakes [Re: Mallory Kwiatkowski ] #178468 - 02/01/2008 02:06 PM
susan tuck Webboard User Reg: 01-23-2006 Posts: 1608 Loc: Cali & Wash State Offline	Never forget the old fable about the Scorpion and the Frog: http://allaboutfrogs.org/stories/scorpion.html
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JessicaKromer wrote 02/01/2008 02:08 PM Re: dogs and snakes [Re: Mallory Kwiatkowski ] #178470 - 02/01/2008 02:08 PM
JessicaKromer Webboard User Reg: 10-28-2006 Posts: 991 Loc: CA Offline	Quote: mallory kwiatkowski but if and when they decide to accept him as a pack member(they can live 30+years), how can i make sure they won't decide to make nice with wild snakes? Don't really know the answer . When proofing our dogs for rattlers, we worked off of scent and sound. I would imagine that a wild snake would not have the same "domestic" scent (our smell and the smell of your home that they are familiar with) and obviously te rattle. Also the location is different and mom is not holding it. I guess that I just wouldn't chance it. They stay away from the snake and there is no conflict. Have you done a snake proofing class? It would be a great way to teach them for sure to stay away from wild snakes and it would keep Monty ( ) safe as well. Edited by JessicaKromer (02/01/2008 02:10 PM) Edit reason: Great point Susan! Jessica
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Mallory Kwiatkowski wrote 02/01/2008 02:19 PM Re: dogs and snakes [Re: JessicaKromer ] #178473 - 02/01/2008 02:19 PM
Mallory Kwiatkowski Webboard User Reg: 11-23-2007 Posts: 947 Loc: Cold-ville, Wisconsin. Offline	i haven't-where might one find a snake proofing class?? it would be helpful-i live in NC-and we have moccasins,rattlers, copperheads,etc and we hike a lot, near creeks too. they have never met a real wild snake-just come across skins and they surrounded it and barked and jumped if i touched them, which was pretty funny.
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JessicaKromer wrote 02/01/2008 02:38 PM Re: dogs and snakes [Re: Mallory Kwiatkowski ] #178475 - 02/01/2008 02:38 PM
JessicaKromer Webboard User Reg: 10-28-2006 Posts: 991 Loc: CA Offline	Here in California, I have seen ads at pet stores and shelters, as well as training at dog “expos.” I guess you would just have to ask around. The classes I have been through have involved live rattlesnakes in wire cages, sound tracks and e-collars. Try asking at a vet clinic or training group… Jessica
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lee sternberg wrote 02/02/2008 06:58 AM Re: dogs and snakes [Re: JessicaKromer ] #178590 - 02/02/2008 06:58 AM
lee sternberg Webboard User Reg: 08-05-2007 Posts: 323 Loc: Lake City, Coeur d' Alene, ID Offline	Ecollars are the best way I know for snake proofing. I lived far back in the rain forests of Costa Rica with my Rott for a while. He never even saw snakes before that. He was real curious. Poisonous snakes of many sizes and varieties were almost a daily occurrence and everywhere. The closest vet was 6 hours away. A friend who was a former dog trainer had a old ecollar. My dog and I spent my first 2 weeks there actually hunting the damn things. I would give him a healthy zap any time he even got close. Every 3 months or so I would give him a refresher course to make sure he was still proofed. It worked! He died back here in the States at the ripe old age of 12. Lee Sternberg
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