A little guidance on the introduction..please

[puffinluffin]

Alright, so i just got my ball few days ago. He's two, about 3 ft.
Docile as all get out, and friendly too. Yes we are giving him time to adjust, no we don't handle him constantly. ..yet. :laugh:

When he arrived, he was handed to us out of his sack (pillowcase what have you). So we held him for a good 30 mins while we spoke to his previous owner, who is actually a chameleon/beardie breeder.

He was a gift for myself, and my kids from my partner.
Now. My kids LOVE HIM. I cant even express how much. Kids are fearless no doubt. No amount of verbal preparation could allow my kids to understand that he is a wild animal, he is capable of doing harm if incorrectly handled.

When, and how should i introduce (hands on) my kids to our new furless pet?
I will give it time, probably a week or two. When the time comes i need some strct guidlines on teaching the kids the 'proper' way to handle him. I know, but it's easier said than done.

I've run down the basics. "they're headshy, go slow, speak softly (for my own benefit mostly lol) don't grab him, get to up in his business etc. "

When, how is the best way/time to have them handling him?
(sorry i got carried away). :O_o:

[Gungirl]

Depending on age... I would introduce your kids to the snake one at a time when they are calm/tired. Don't let them get hands on with the snake unless they are 100% calm. Then allow them to rest their hands on their laps and place the snake in their hands. Nothing more.. Do this a few times and once you see that they are able to stay calm with the snake allow them to pick the snake up a little bit and let it slither though their hands.

I would only do this after the snake has eaten at least 3 times for you though.

[puffinluffin]

Depending on age... I would introduce your kids to the snake one at a time when they are calm/tired. Don't let them get hands on with the snake unless they are 100% calm. Then allow them to rest their hands on their laps and place the snake in their hands. Nothing more.. Do this a few times and once you see that they are able to stay calm with the snake allow them to pick the snake up a little bit and let it slither though their hands.

I would only do this after the snake has eaten at least 3 times for you though.

Fantastic. I will definitely keep that in mind. They are young, my eldest is only 4.5 yrs. Youngest is 3. So it's sort of ..... touchy. Goal was to get a hands on, fairly easy to look after pet. That rules out a dog, as i might as well have another child. Considering the amount of work they are. So we are deciding to go the reptile way now. MY oldest looovess snakes. She's so gun hoe about holding him, i'm just trying to be as patient as i can for his sake, and my own.

[Gungirl]

Ahh yes, My son was 4 when we got him his first snake. I used that routine with him and it worked great. Also a simple reward if they stay calm and listen during a handling session can help out a lot.

[puffinluffin]

Ahh yes, My son was 4 when we got him his first snake. I used that routine with him and it worked great. Also a simple reward if they stay calm and listen during a handling session can help out a lot.

Haha a little bribing never hurts. Thank you I will use this advice.

[Lankyrob]

The main thing is to ensure that whenver they hold it should they drop it that it cant drop far and will land somewhere soft. I did same as kat with my then four yr old daughter. I tended to hold the snake and let her have the rear end (no teeth ;)) resting on her hands.

[cossiecraig]

i would also recommend that there be no distractions such as the T.v. ( cartoons etc etc ) ....:) that way their focus should be soley on the snake and it's movements !!

[SnakeyJay]

Wash hands before and after... Last thing you need is one of then holding a hamster earlier in the day and forgetting. Goodluck :)

[puffinluffin]

Wash hands before and after... Last thing you need is one of then holding a hamster earlier in the day and forgetting. Goodluck :)

Haha. No doubt. Thankfully we don't own rodents...yuck

Thanks :)

[puffinluffin]

The main thing is to ensure that whenver they hold it should they drop it that it cant drop far and will land somewhere soft. I did same as kat with my then four yr old daughter. I tended to hold the snake and let her have the rear end (no teeth ;)) resting on her hands.

Very good idea :)

[Mark Taylor]

i would also recommend that there be no distractions such as the T.v. ( cartoons etc etc ) ....:) that way their focus should be soley on the snake and it's movements !!

I agree. :)