How important is it to hook train

[L.West]

I haven't done the hook training yet on my snakes. I was just wondering if it is recommended.

They are all pretty small yet but have the potential to get 6ft. Would I be better off to hook train them now or is it not necessary?

[snakequeen74]

It's never to early. All you need to do is touch them with the hook before you pick them up. The whole purpose is so you don't startle them when you go to move them.

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[Sauzo]

I have never hook trained any of my snakes and they are all fine, even my retic. I do use a twisted paper towel to boop him on the snoot if he spazzes out. Generally all my snakes are perk up when a cage door is opened but if they don't smell food, they pretty much relax.

Now at feeding time, I have to be very careful as all my snakes are dangerous when food is near. That's a no joke time as my bigger ones could do damage if an accident happened.

As for is it needed, that's only a question you can answer based on your snakes' attitudes.

[AbsoluteApril]

Totally not necessary but can be useful. Better to start when small so they get used to it.

I have never hook trained any of my snakes and they are all fine, even my retic. I do use a twisted paper towel to boop him on the snoot if he spazzes out.

That's the same thing as hook training, people just call it 'hook training' because a hook is usually what is used. But any solid object used to gently touch either the snoot or the head or wherever to 'knock' the snake out of food/defensive mode is 'hook training'.


I use a hook, or paper towel roll, or water bottle, whatever I have handy depending on if I am removing the snake from enclosure or just trying to reach in next to them to remove a shed or what-not.

[John1982]

Player's choice.

[L.West]

I tried it tonight. I do see how it gets their attention. I guess it won't hurt to get them accustomed to it.

[EL-Ziggy]

I keep medium to large sized snakes and I hook train them all. I have a few critters that when hungry will lunge forward or look to strike even before the cage door opens. A 6ft snake in a 4x2 enclosure can cover a lot of ground really quickly. I use the hook to open the door and then I tap them with the hook to squash that feeding response. They're pretty easy to take out of their enclosures after that.

[RickyNY]

I'm hook training Freddy and it already worked... 2 days ago I went to take him out of his tub, but he was in the corner facing me, ready to strike. No way I could have come from behind. So I took the hook and I let him smell it, then I lightly tap him in the side of his neck and his head went down to a relax position. Then I was able to pick him up.

[L.West]

So basically you use the hook method every time you attempt to get them out - correct.

I do see where this will be useful. I have been tagged by my largest boa in an attempt to reach in his cage. He is a very aggressive feeder but normally very mild mannered - but don't get near his cage when he is looking for food LOL

I will definitely adopt the "hook" method going forward.

Sounds like a win/win in my mind.

[bcr229]

So basically you use the hook method every time you attempt to get them out - correct.

Use it every time you interact with them and you're not feeding, even if you're just opening the enclosure to spot clean or change water.