My dog and my snake?

teague · 11-03-09, 11:09 PM

So with my two ball pythons and now with my baby bci red tail I purposely have them around my dog in hopes that in the future they won't associate him with being prey. Are my efforts futile?

Obviously the safest thing would be to not have my dog around when my snake is out. I get that, but that's not my question.

Insid3r · 11-04-09, 05:02 AM

What do you mean by out? I think your dog as easily could kill your snakes.

Will0W783 · 11-04-09, 06:41 AM

You should only have the snake around your dog when you are actually holding it- NEVER put the snake on the floor or leave it out unattended when your dog is around. A dog is a predator- its natural instinct is to attack the snake because it looks like prey. If you are holding the snake and working with it, the dog will most likely leave it alone because it will assume that if you, the pack leader, accept the snake then it must be all right. But never NEVER leave the snake out unattended, especially when a dog (or a cat for that matter) has access to it. Animals live in the moment; they don't have the power to deduce or reason, so the snake will be fair game.
As for the snakes, snakes are even more primitive- they only learn by conditioning. They can be conditioned that the big, heat signature (you) doesn't mean them harm and isn't going to fit in their mouths, but they cannot really learn to not associate a dog with prey. They just don't have that brain power. A ball python will never get large enough to really do an average dog harm, and a BCI may, depending on the size of the dog. But leaving them unattended around each other is a BAD BAD idea, and it is asking for an accident.

siz · 11-04-09, 07:50 AM

What kind of dog do you have? Most dogs are far too big for a snake to eat them, unless you have a small lap dog I suppose. You can't "train" snakes to not see dogs as prey. It's more than likely that your snakes will see themselves as prey and the dog as a threat, as opposed to wanting to eat him. That would be very stressful for your snake, to be around 2 big scary monsters. And as Kim said, DEFINATLEY do not leave them together unattended.

mykee · 11-04-09, 10:09 AM

Yes, both futile and counterproductive. Assuming you don't have faggy dogs and they are of a fair size, then their heat suignature will show that they are too large to be a food source. That being said, the snakes will associate your dogs with them being a predator and themselves as the food source. You are putting your snkaes in a highly stressful environment.

siz · 11-05-09, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

Yes, both futile and counterproductive. Assuming you don't have faggy dogs and they are of a fair size, then their heat suignature will show that they are too large to be a food source. That being said, the snakes will associate your dogs with them being a predator and themselves as the food source. You are putting your snkaes in a highly stressful environment.

LOL that's what I was going to say but I decided to play nice

DeesBalls · 11-05-09, 03:41 PM

what makes a dog, a "faggy" dog??!!?

teague · 11-05-09, 05:49 PM

OK first of all, I don't think my dog is faggy?? At least not for a girl. I have a 25lb Pug. I am not so worried about the Balls, but my Boa will get much bigger than them.
Second, I would NEVER leave my dog and snakes out unattended.

Now...my dog would never attach the snakes, he's kind of a wuss, and gets a little freaked out when they crawl over his paws or across his back. (sometimes I think the snakes do it on purpose)
They have never shown any signs of being stressed around Guido(my dog)

I often chill on the couch with a snake on my lap any Guido by my side. I was just wondering if they have the mentality to "learn" that he's not food.

Well thanks for the input.

I will probably get some negative comments but I'm going to post this pic anyways.

Will0W783 · 11-06-09, 08:37 AM

No they can't learn that he is not food, but they most likely won't think to try to eat him if (a) they are smaller than he is (which the balls will always be and the boa will be for a good while) and (b) they are not hungry. So make sure your snakes are fed when they are going to be around the dog and just be careful and use common sense. When your boa gets full-grown I would not let it anywhere near your pug, as something can happen before you have time to react. Just realize that you are dealing with animals, and that they live in the moment and react to instinct, not forethought. My fiance has a 3-year-old HUGE German Shepherd and I make her stay out of the room when I am handling snakes. She is very nosy and I just don't want to create a situation I might not be quick enough to stop. I have an 8-month-old pitbull who has not been allowed to see the snakes at all. She is far too active and chasey and I dont' want her getting any ideas.
In the wild, dogs would be predators to snakes. Just because we've brought them both into our world, doesn't mean it is fair to expect them to coexist happily. Keep them apart and everyone will be far better off.

mykee · 11-06-09, 02:08 PM

"What makes a dog a "faggy" dog"
If you don't know, you have a faggy dog.
Pugs are not faggy, they're awesome, but nowhere near as awesome as my two labs...

teague · 11-06-09, 03:18 PM

Nice looking Labs Mykee.

Thanks you all for the info.

Since I got you guys on this thread...a bit off the subject, but I'm looking to purchase a custom cage from McCarthys Boas. Reputable?

**Aaron_S** · 11-06-09, 05:58 PM

That pic with the goggles always gets me!

mykee · 11-06-09, 08:03 PM

Not sure about McCarthy Boas, I'm in Canada and when I need a new cage, I build one myself. Helps beat the winter blues. Check him out on the Fauna BOI.
Aaron; yeah I know, Willow is normally such a ham, loving anything you put on her and prancing around like a ******, but these Doggles, I tell you. The look on her face tells the whole story.
She is NOT amused.

Will0W783 · 11-06-09, 09:27 PM

LOL- Mykee, I LOVE the picture of your chocolate lab with the goggles on..that's hilarious! We used to put sunglasses on my cocker spaniel's butt so that when he walked around it looked like his butt was a face and his stumpy tail was a wiggly nose....dogs are so great.

siz · 11-07-09, 12:44 AM

All those dog photos are awesome.

And I love your pug's name, hahaha.
I miss having a dog