well, i've searched and read alot. most advice were about to feed your snake with responsibility. so im thinking on how?

last time my snake didn't eat. she was just smelling the prey and going after it slowly. as soon as the mouse makes a snappy move and runs away. it shys away from the prey, takes a while and follow it slowly.

well i know it didn't get used to its viv. and i had only one hideout
i added 4 small ones. and it seems to be enjoying it and moving from one to another. my wife was like "the snake isn't in its hideout. its out of the cage!!"
she didn't know i had more than 2 , they other 2 are nicely hidden.

anyways. this isnt my question.. if its hidden in its hideout.. how can i feed it? should i hold the mouse from its tail until it gets out of the cage? how long should i leave the mouse in the cage?
10 mnts? what are the mistakes i could fall in? any advice?