Adopting a dog when you have a snake

Hubby and I are planning on getting a dog once we finish moving. Are there any things I should consider when choosing a dog if I have a bp at home?

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They dont need to be friends. No reason to stress a snake by "introducing" it to the dog. Just make sure the snake is in a secure enclosure and ideally out of a high traffic area in your house and everything should be fine. Ive always had dogs and snakes and my dogs just ignore them. I do have a seperate snake room that my fur pets arent allowed in but my big burms enclosure is in the dining room and the dog doesnt even look at him.

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Originally Posted by Hannahshissyfix

They dont need to be friends. No reason to stress a snake by "introducing" it to the dog. Just make sure the snake is in a secure enclosure and ideally out of a high traffic area in your house and everything should be fine. Ive always had dogs and snakes and my dogs just ignore them. I do have a seperate snake room that my fur pets arent allowed in but my big burms enclosure is in the dining room and the dog doesnt even look at him.

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That's what I am hoping for, I just don't know how likely dogs are to freak out over a snake. Whether it's different to see one in captivity versus out in nature.

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Make sure the snake can't escape the enclosure to either do harm to the dog, or be harmed by the dog. Make sure that the dog can't reach the enclosure or knock anything down. Other than that, as the person above me stated, no reason for them to even be friends. All it takes is a split second for an accident to happen.

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Originally Posted by Neal

Make sure the snake can't escape the enclosure to either do harm to the dog, or be harmed by the dog. Make sure that the dog can't reach the enclosure or knock anything down. Other than that, as the person above me stated, no reason for them to even be friends. All it takes is a split second for an accident to happen.

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I never intended them to be friends, just wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any problems.

For example, does loud barking tend to bother snakes? I know they can't hear but if it's a real boomy bark it may vibrate their enclosure. Stuff like that.

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I've always had dogs & snakes for many years...no problem, assuming your cages have some sort of "lock" that a pet (dog OR cat) cannot open when you
aren't looking. A puppy will have LOTS more energy to "get into things" so you have to puppy-proof your house (like make sure they don't chew on electrical
cords, etc) but an adult dog will likely be more mellow. Either way, a dog should see that the snake "belongs" to you ("the boss") and most understand that
while you may allow them to sniff it, most catch on in time that it's something you care about & they must not harm it.

But teaching your dog is a gradual process, & some dogs also have a FAR greater prey drive: Never put the snake down & let a dog come over to it...you
must be holding the snake, & preferably have someone there to restrain the dog if it gets too excited. So many variations of canine personalities, you should
get to know your dog first. While I allow my dogs to sniff the tail end of a snake I'm holding, they are NEVER allowed face to face: that's just asking for a
snake to panic & sink it's teeth into your dogs nose, which would be a disaster. Both dogs & snakes are wonderful pets- my dogs pay very little attention
when I hold a snake...their expression says "what on earth does she SEE in that thing?" But there ARE dogs (such as terriers) who are bred to go after all
sorts of small animals that may snap at (& harm) a snake too, so be cautious...if you're not sure you can trust your dog, let them sniff thru a screen door first.

I've never seen any of my snakes pay ANY attention to dogs barking. Loud stereo with bass cranked up, yes, but dogs barking? nope...

That's good to know. We're looking for a large breed and an older dog.

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I have a 2 year old rescue, 3 month old puppy and 3 snakes. They will never be in the same room together and out.

You can fool yourself in that you can change animal nature and your snakes and dogs get along but all your need is one situation where snake defensively strikes at dog and dog defensively bites snake. If you think vets are expensive, you do not want to know the cost of emergency surgery for massive tissue trauma on a snake... if the snake survives a dog bite.

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Originally Posted by SDA

I have a 2 year old rescue, 3 month old puppy and 3 snakes. They will never be in the same room together and out.

You can fool yourself in that you can change animal nature and your snakes and dogs get along but all your need is one situation where snake defensively strikes at dog and dog defensively bites snake. If you think vets are expensive, you do not want to know the cost of emergency surgery for massive tissue trauma on a snake... if the snake survives a dog bite.

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Again, not trying to make them buddies, just trying to make sure a dog won't stress out the snake in general. I don't plan on letting them near each other.

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No, snakes don't really seem to care about other animals as long as they are left alone. I have cats, dogs, ferrets, rats, lizards, etc in my house and the snakes don't react to the noises or scents at all, I do wash my hands before/after handling and I don't allow interaction with other species.

No they won't stress each other out.

That said, snakes are escape artists so definitely get a real reptile enclosure with latches, not a tank with a lid that can be pushed off.

I have locks on my retic enclosures because they can push or slide the doors open.

My snakes don't appear to pay any attention to dogs in the room, so don't worry about it. The only reaction I've ever seen was years ago when I kept
a number of rattlesnakes: when my dog would run past a cage, they'd rattle. And then "get over it". :cool:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

No they won't stress each other out.

That said, snakes are escape artists so definitely get a real reptile enclosure with latches, not a tank with a lid that can be pushed off.

I have locks on my retic enclosures because they can push or slide the doors open.

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Luckily Lucy has not yet figured out how to slide open the screen, she seems to enjoy just sniffing it. However we will be upgrading enclosures after we move. Something bigger and with more secure doors.

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Originally Posted by Lirenn

That's good to know. We're looking for a large breed and an older dog.

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All my dogs have come from shelters as adults. When you work, & aren't home a lot, puppies just get into too much trouble...it's not their fault. They are
so cute but high energy. While older dogs can come with some "baggage" (don't we all?) they are typically wonderful pets that already have some "sense",
and they are mellower. I don't expect you'll have trouble finding a good dog...more likely, trouble deciding which one. :sweeet:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

All my dogs have come from shelters as adults. When you work, & aren't home a lot, puppies just get into too much trouble...it's not their fault. They are
so cute but high energy. While older dogs can come with some "baggage" (don't we all?) they are typically wonderful pets that already have some "sense",
and they are mellower. I don't expect you'll have trouble finding a good dog...more likely, trouble deciding which one. :sweeet:

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It will be hard to pick just one. I want to rescue them alllll.

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So long as they have a secure cage that is out of reach of the dogs and not in an area that the dogs reside or play in you will be fine.

Yes, a dog actively attempting to open the caging will stress out the snake. That is why you should not house the snakes in a room the dogs will primarily be in. I have mine in a completely seperate part of the house that the dogs rarely enter so they show no interest in the snakes.

If you house them in the same location and the dogs begin to show interest int he cage(s) then you add unnecessary stress to the snake. Simple to avoid.

As far as the type of dog it doesn't really matter. The point is to avoid entering the snake cages as a point of interest.


Funny yet appropriate story... last night I was taking the puppy back in from going potty and walked by the GTP cage and she nearly struck the front of the cage showing interest in my puppy so yes, snakes show interest in dogs and can get stressed if they are in close contact even through a cage.

I think much of what I would say has already been said. If I repeat some, it's just to reiterate the importance...

You've already said you won't be introducing them. Good! Please don't, accidents and emergencies can happen in the blink of an eye. I won't continue to beat that drum...

A secure enclosure is a MUST. You definitely don't want a situation like this on your hands... pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?255374-MA-Police-shoot-boa-that-constricted-puppy

I would also suggest keeping the dog out of the room the snakes are housed in, just to make sure their curiosity doesn't create a problem. Make sure heat lamps or CHEs can't be knocked over, the enclosure itself can't be knocked over, etc...

I had dogs most of my life, but my girlfriend was bit in the face as a kid and is NOT a dog person. So, no dogs in my future. We do have a cat and ferrets though, and they don't ever come face to face with the snakes. If a snake is out, the cat is put in another room.

Good luck, keep us posted

The only thing I would add is in the case of adoption, a policy of truth may not serve you or the dog well. If you are certain you can prevent any kind of interaction between the animals so you won't have an issue, do not tell the place you are adopting from that you have a snake/s. The ignorance will win out and you may not be allowed to adopt the animal you want.

Understand that I am not trying to encourage deception or nefarious actions. It is simply that in this litigious society, filled with concerns of PC and liability paranoia, common sense gets ignored for the sake of everyone trying to cover their behinds. That said, if you do have any doubts about being responsible and able to prevent an accident between the two animals, then don't do it. Just my $0.02