Carpets around dogs?

[Kaianuanu]

I have experience with various types of herps, however I have downsized my collection to a panther chameleon and a pair of leopard geckos. Other than a couple snakes I have caught over the years like corns, rats and garters, I have little experience with snakes. I've decided I would love a baby coastal carpet, and I am confident in my ability to care for one, however I am worried about having it around my dog. She is a tenacious Jack Russell Terrier that stands 15" at the shoulder. Anyway, I was wondering how dangerous a coastal carpet would be to my dog, and how long until a baby coastal carpet would grow big enough to become a real threat to her. Also, would a smaller carpet like a male jungle pose a greatly reduced risk as opposed to say, a female coastal? If its that dangerous for my little doggie, maybe I ought to just go with something like a brooks king.

[smy_749]

An adult coastal could kill a small dog with ease. I don't know much about dogs, but 15 inches doesn't sound very big. Coastals are the largest, females being larger than males and getting pretty large in 2-3 years time. If you have a proper enclosure however, and don't take the snake out with the dog around, then all of that is irrelevant.

[Kaianuanu]

An adult coastal could kill a small dog with ease. I don't know much about dogs, but 15 inches doesn't sound very big. Coastals are the largest, females being larger than males and getting pretty large in 2-3 years time. If you have a proper enclosure however, and don't take the snake out with the dog around, then all of that is irrelevant.

Well, provided that the snake is well handled and maybe hook trained, and the dog mostly minds it's own business, what do you think the probability of a tame carpet attacking my dog?

My main worry is that I have my snake out, and walk away for a few seconds, and then come back to find the thing constricting my dog.

[Mikoh4792]

As long as the enclosure is secure and isolated than it should be fine. Just take out your snake when your dog is either out of the room that the enclosure is in, or take your snake somewhere else.

An adult carpet could easily kill a small dog.

[Mikoh4792]

Well, provided that the snake is well handled and maybe hook trained, and the dog mostly minds it's own business, what do you think the probability of a tame carpet attacking my dog?

No one can guess the probability. Snakes have killed and eaten dogs before, so it's definitely probable. That's all you need to know. Why risk it?

[Kaianuanu]

As long as the enclosure is secure and isolated than it should be fine. Just take out your snake when your dog is either out of the room that the enclosure is in, or take your snake somewhere else.

An adult carpet could easily kill a small dog.

I'll definitely avoid all contact between the two. But do you think a male jungle then, could as easily kill a dog of this size? Btw shes about the same size as a beagle.

[Mikoh4792]

I'll definitely avoid all contact between the two. But do you think a male jungle then, could as easily kill a dog of this size? Btw shes about the same size as a beagle.

I would say so. If it can get a hold of it's neck and constrict, it's lights out for doggy.

[franks]

I'll definitely avoid all contact between the two. But do you think a male jungle then, could as easily kill a dog of this size? Btw shes about the same size as a beagle.

A member on here feeds a large female jungle carpet 3 lb rabbits rarely. That is about as big of a meal a (very large) jungle can take down. A snake should never be left unsupervised ever. They are not an animal that you "put down and leave the room real quick." Supervise at all times and you should be ok.

[ra94131]

Regardless of size, I don't think dogs and captive snakes should be allowed to interact at all. If you insist for some reason, it needs to be 100% supervised and controlled.

(Also, I'd be more worried about your snake than your dog, unless you change directions and decide to get something even larger than a Coastal Carpet Python.)

[Terranaut]

^^^this
They should never meet unless on opposite sides of glass.
If they do ...well...as my kids would say .."epic fail".
Just don't let it happen and it will never be an issue.

[StudentoReptile]

I can't think of any reptile that would be "safe" to be near a dog, for all the reasons discussed already.

[Lankyrob]

We have snakes, guinea pigs, cats and a dog. The snakes NEVER meet the other animals, there is no need, no reason, no cause for them to ever be "nose to nose".

[Zoo Nanny]

Taking into consideration the breed of dog, it should never be anywhere near a pet snake. Jack Russells are bred for hunting, have no fear and combined with their energy level should never be around any reptile or small animal. They are also more than capable of killing a young snake.

[Terranaut]

Type of dog....size of dog...number of other pets...none of this is relavant. Snakes should never meet your other pets. End of story.

[UwabamiReptiles]

I have carpets and a dog around the size of your dog. A coastal carpet would be fine as long as you are responsible. That would be a secure cage and never putting the snake or dog in a position to get hurt. I have an 8 1/2ft carpet that could easily take the dog out. But I have a secure cage and dont let the dog around if I have her out. It just comes down to being responsible with your animals, which you are doing by asking for advice before jumping into getting a bigger snake.

[HoldenC]

Type of dog....size of dog...number of other pets...none of this is relavant. Snakes should never meet your other pets. End of story.
I think this is the right advice for most people. Personally, I make an effort to handle my carpets around my two dogs and cat. The more my four legged animals are exposed to the pythons, the less interest they have and hopefully the less chance of a confrontation if a snake did happen to get loose. Let's be honest, accidents can happen to even the most responsible animal guardians. Why not prepare the animals for such an encounter?

I never, ever leave them alone together and rarely let anyone get close enough to touch. But I must say, after a few weeks of hanging about with a snake, my dogs and cat couldn't care less. It's like those Mormon pamphlets where wild animals and humans coexist in perfect harmony. :)~