I give my snakes time before I start handeling them. I get them on a couple meals, then start really slow with the handeling. Maybe once or twice a week for 10-15 min. If the snake is getting fed once a week, and you can't hold them the day of feeding, and for about 2-3 days after feeding, that gives a couple days. Once I realize the snake isnt stressed by being handeled, I up it a little bit.