Labrador + ball python = a bad combo?

[limey]

My little lab, Millie, is only 1 year old and generally a well behaved girl. Generally.

But I'm planning on getting a ball python and in time I would like to have them both chilling together in my living room when he's out of the tank.

Is this something that can be typically done with relative ease without fear of one going for the other? Or would I have to constantly supervise at all times?

I hear about how docile balls can be, and so I figured if I train Millie to be gentle they should kinda be friends as time goes on... am I living in a fantasy world or is this realistic?


My Millie and me:

[snake man12]

Even if well trained the dog and snake should be supervised when the snake is out. When I take out my 5 foot Dum my dog gets a little scared=]=]=]

[DeesBalls]

hate to burst your bubble, but its all fantasy, i know with dogs, especially hyper ones like labs, when the snake is out, it may think its another dog or "play toy" of some kind...,

the dog could simply just step on it and hurt the snake... it would be awesome, and there are pics around the net, sure they could be faked or whatnot, but i would be very careful.

oh btw, very nice looking lab you got there!

[snake man12]

Maybe What limey want's could be achieved with the proper time needed to get the snake and lab comfortable with each other

[Snakefood]

I have my snakes out with both my dogs all the time, however, it is of course stringently supervised.

The dogs are ordered to thier beds and commanded to stay, they sit there watching very intently while hubby and I have a snake out on the couch, across the room from thier beds, if they move, they are reminded of thier current command.

it's just about good training on the dogs part and YOU knowing where everyone is ALL THE TIME, and it's a good idea if you are physically in between the 2, because even the best trained dog is gonna slip once in a while!!

[StudentoReptile]

Hopefully, the mods will allow this one.
----

The following is from a fellow herp enthusiast whom I have come to know, who is also a professional dog trainer. It specifically details the account of a dog and tortoise situation, but I think it applies to any small animal pets (herps and otherwise).

Another Dog Story (Why tortoises and dogs DO NOT MIX. No exceptions!) - Tortoise Forum - Tortoise Husbandry Community (http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Another-Dog-Story-Why-tortoises-and-dogs-DO-NOT-MIX-No-exceptions#axzz1yFXaT1MG)

[alessia55]

They must be supervised closely when they are together. My cats and my dog and my snakes can all be out in the same room together, but I do not allow them to come near the snakes AT ALL. This is for the safety of both of them. They are mostly curious and wouldn't mean to hurt my snakes, but you never know. Personally, I would never risk it, no matter how well trained Millie is ;)

[DeesBalls]

well, for me, i have little hyper dogs who play from anything from toy bones, to q-tips they get off the sink... (dont ask how) so im sure if my toy yorkie seen my little pastel or something, sure as heck, she would grab her!

[Snakefood]

^^^ LOL^^^^

my little rat terrier sits in her bed and vibrates when the snakes are out!!

[DeesBalls]

^^^ LOL^^^^

my little rat terrier sits in her bed and vibrates when the snakes are out!!

lol, my oldest chinese crested loved to watch them eat... every feeding day he runs in the room with me and just sits there till im done.

[Toronto1977]

My little lab, Millie, is only 1 year old and generally a well behaved girl. Generally.

But I'm planning on getting a ball python and in time I would like to have them both chilling together in my living room when he's out of the tank.

Is this something that can be typically done with relative ease without fear of one going for the other? Or would I have to constantly supervise at all times?

I hear about how docile balls can be, and so I figured if I train Millie to be gentle they should kinda be friends as time goes on... am I living in a fantasy world or is this realistic?


My Millie and me:


I've taught my dog to completely ignore my snakes. I've introduced them by letting her (Standard Schnauzer) sniff them, but that's about it. She is not allowed to interact with them. When you (if you do decide) first introduce them make sure your dog is fully exercised and exahausted, that way her energy level will be lower and she will be calmer.

Depending on your dog and the level of control you have over her, it isn't insurmountable. Having said that, dogs and kids, dogs and snakes, dogs and just about everything should ALWAYS be supervised. Better safe than sorry. Good luck!

[Aaron_S]

I think we're forgetting that the snake can't be trained to be a companion to your dog. It just can't happen.

[Lankyrob]

We have a dog who gets to sit in his bed when the snakes are out, the cats are removed from the house when the snakes are out.

There is no NEED for any of them to interact and any interaction COULD lead to one or the other being injured or killed :)

[Norm66]

We don't let our dogs, cats & snakes interact at all. Too much possibility for carnage, it's not worth it.

[sawtoothscream]

Im about 90% positive my dogs will be fine with a snake. my cocker is old and doesnt really pay attention to anything that isnt food or us. The yorkie is afriad of weird looking things and hides under the couch. Still that snake is not ever going to be around them if im not right next to it. Dont need my cocker getting bit for trying to smell it and if the yorkie finds the courage to go for it see can mess up the snake or get messed up herself. not worth the risk IMO, esp with a hyper young dog like a lab. BTW great looking dog, when I move out of my parents house im getting a chocolate lab

[BarelyBreathing]

I have five dogs, four of which are crazy. I also keep snakes, lizards, and a bunch of other things. I never let any of my dogs except for Nero close enough to even sniff my reptiles. (And before anybody gets worked up, he's in training to be a service dog so he is incredibly well trained to ignore distractions, including other animals.) If they come too close, I give them the command to get out. It helps if your dog has a bed or a crate it is taught to go lay down on/in.

And to answer your other question, yes, you will need to supervise. Anytime your snake is out of its enclosure you will need to be there to watch it.

[limey]

Some great advice and personal experience here guys, thanks for all the input.

In thinking about it some more, I realise Millie is still young and quite curious. She often steals bog roll from my bathroom when I'm not looking and runs around the room with it, showing everybody what a great treasure she has found.

So this is maybe not the best dog to have around a python. Perhaps the only exception I would make is if she were so exhausted from exercise (ie. 10 mile hike) that she cannot even be bothered to get up from her bed... even so...

I shall keep mr.ball python in the spare room and let him out ONLY IN THE SPARE ROOM to handle and play. With the door closed, that is.

Maybe he can chill on my bed while I do the ironing or something... that would be quite cool.

[DavethePython]

We allow our dogs to interact with our snakes from a distance . But that is our dogs. They are very fascinated by our snakes . But again from a distance . We allow them to get close enough to see and smell the snakes , but not close enough they could get bit. And our dogs for the most part are pretty obedient. By doing this they do not feel left out or jealous and usually after a short time will just go lay down . But again this is our dogs . I cannot speak for yours or anyone else's dogs. And of course this is only done with our BPs . We would never let our dogs interact with our new Burm . While he could not possibly eat them as they are too big , he could hurt or kill them easily. Know your animals and let common sense prevail , not your hopes and wishes. Tragedy can easily be avoided with common sense and the last thing we as snake owners need is another story floating aroun about snake eats family pet. If you are even remotely unsure don't do it. Just a foot note , when we do allow our dogs to interact with our snakes , we are always holding the snakes . Never just on the floor or couch or whatever. Even small our snakes are lightning fast if they want to strike .

[BarelyBreathing]

Some great advice and personal experience here guys, thanks for all the input.

In thinking about it some more, I realise Millie is still young and quite curious. She often steals bog roll from my bathroom when I'm not looking and runs around the room with it, showing everybody what a great treasure she has found.

So this is maybe not the best dog to have around a python. Perhaps the only exception I would make is if she were so exhausted from exercise (ie. 10 mile hike) that she cannot even be bothered to get up from her bed... even so...

I shall keep mr.ball python in the spare room and let him out ONLY IN THE SPARE ROOM to handle and play. With the door closed, that is.

Maybe he can chill on my bed while I do the ironing or something... that would be quite cool.

Training, training, training. Even the most hyper dog could be taught to stay in about ten minutes. Use positive reinforcement, lots of treats, and look up clicker training. It can (and will!) be done if you put your mind to it.

[SnakeyJay]

Personally I don't see why you would want to let the snake roam unattended in the first place, whether the dogs are around or not.. It's just running the risk of it escaping or getting tangled somewhere it shouldn't. Not worth the risk IMO.

[StudentoReptile]

Personally I don't see why you would want to let the snake roam unattended in the first place, whether the dogs are around or not.. It's just running the risk of it escaping or getting tangled somewhere it shouldn't. Not worth the risk IMO.

Indeed. You'd be very surprised in the tricky/difficult places a free-roaming snake can get to in a relatively short amount of time. They should NEVER NEVER NEVER be left unattended outside of their enclosure for any length of time IMHO...not if you care about them, that is.

[smoothie4l]

When I take my ball python out the dogs don't seem to mind they just want to sniff it and make sure everything is okay. But I honestly would NEVER let Evra wonder around the house unattended, I have a jack Russell (a hunter) and a Great Dane (a giant). But even if I didn't have dogs I don't think a ball python would like to be out and wondering as much as an other snake, it would most likely try to find a worm spot under something and sit there.

[limey]

I think the comments are getting slightly more derogatory as time goes on...or perhaps its just the way I'm reading them.

Never said anything about letting a snake "roam free" around the house unsupervised, guys.

What I had in mind was watching tv with him next to me, with the dog in the same room etc. But of course you guys aren't mind readers so then assumption comes into play.

That's fine. I'll take everything I can from your comments, and like I said, thanks for all your input. Appreciate it.

[limey]

Training, training, training. Even the most hyper dog could be taught to stay in about ten minutes. Use positive reinforcement, lots of treats, and look up clicker training. It can (and will!) be done if you put your mind to it.

Yeah, Labs are easy to train too. We actually taught her all that stuff when she was a pup.

At about 12 weeks she could sit, stay, roll over, long stay, fetch, jump, crawl etc.

Like I said in my original post, she's generally a good girl... but she still get's overexcited from time to time due predominantly to her age and for that reason alone I wouldn't want to take a chance with the snake until I'm certain she's mellowed out a little.

[mykee]

I've had Labs for over a decade and I wouldn't consider introducing snakes to them. It's just completely unnecessary and quite frankly, kinda foolish.

[Snakefood]

Yeah, Labs are easy to train too. We actually taught her all that stuff when she was a pup.

At about 12 weeks she could sit, stay, roll over, long stay, fetch, jump, crawl etc.

Like I said in my original post, she's generally a good girl... but she still get's overexcited from time to time due predominantly to her age and for that reason alone I wouldn't want to take a chance with the snake until I'm certain she's mellowed out a little.

That excitability in Labs tends not to go away until they are actually old, as in 5-8 years old and sometimes not even then.