Hook Training Instruction Thread with Video

[dakski]

I haven't seen a thread on hook training yet (honestly, I didn't search, but I am on here pretty often and have yet to see a thread on it). Many people ask about it, especially those with either larger snakes, snakes that are going to be large but aren't yet, and snakes with strong food responses.

My Female BCI, Behira, nailed me in a clear food response bite at about 600G and about 1 1/2 years old. No big deal. However, I didn't want a repeat at 7FT and 7,000G! She has an incredibly strong food response, but otherwise, is a total sweetheart.

I began hook training her, and now, at over 2 years old and about 1,000G, have yet to have anything close to an incident since.

I have a video link below (cannot post Imgur on here yet, but I'll see if I can post it embedded later) that shows what I am about to describe with my baby girl, Behira (she's a Ghost BCI - Hypo Anery - in case anyone is curious).

First, a few basic rules:

1. The hook is used to let the snake know it's handling time and/or snap them out of food response mode.

2. It is a training/desensitizing tool and in most cases, should only be used to let the snake know it's time to come out and play and THE HOOK SHOULD NOT BE USED TO GRAB THE SNAKE.

3. It takes some time to hook train a snake. They don't think like we do and have to be conditioned more than trained. We can't explain it to them so they need to learn with repetition.

4. BE CONSISTENT!

5. DO NOT USE THE HOOK WHEN FEEDING! Only use it when handling. This makes a clear distinction. Hook = fun time. No hook and prey = FOOD TIME!

Now, how I use the hook.

To be clear, I use the soft (make sure it's soft) handle of the hook, not the hook itself (you can use anything that doesn't smell like food - paper towel insert, golf club handle, etc. - However, be consistent - same object every time and make sure it's sanitized).

1. Gently touch the snake with the handle and either tap, or gently rub, them with it. Choose tap or rub, but again CONSISTENCY is KEY!

2. Show the hook handle to the snake while touching them, after touching them, or before touching them. Again, just be consistent and #1 and #2 can be reversed.

Often Behira just sees the hook handle now and says, oh, doesn't smell like food, time to come out.

3. Repeat either both steps #1 and #2, or either one, preferably the rubbing or tapping part, again and read the snakes body language. The snake may tense up in response to the stimuli initially, but then settle down. Watch the tongue as well (part of body language). Is it coming out short and quick or long and wide strokes that are slow (happy tongue)? Is the snake tense even when not being touched with the hook, or does he/she appear relaxed?

4. Reach in and pick up the snake.

Optional: When beginning the process, or if unsure of the snakes body language at the time, you can use the handle as a block. In other words, hold it closer to the snakes head/neck area (on the snakes side - don't pin them down) and pick them up more from midsection to upper body. This way, if you happen to startle them, the hook is a line of defense.

Behira has been in S position, ready to nail a rat, and I've had to stroke her quite a few times with the hook to get her to relax, but it works pretty much without fail now. The other day, full S position, head and neck an inch off the ground. 3-4 rubs to get her to think maybe it isn't food time, and another 3-4 rubs to get her to put her head down and get picked up. However, it worked.

Is it foolproof? No, but between the hook and reading your animal, you should be in pretty good shape.

One note on the rubbing, I try to rub side and upper back. I try not to get under her body or directly on the spine. I am always gentle.

Without further ado, the video showing exactly how I pick up Behira with the hook now:



https://i.imgur.com/5kgF1uw.mp4