1) tap training

2) i hate that its called that because i NEVER TAP my retic, i lightly brush, then lift slight with the hook and then slide my hand under him while reading body language, but by time the hook is supporting a small section of him, he is already bolting up the hook and to my arm cause he likes his piggy back rides though the house (as seen in my profile photo). i will never hold the hook with feeding tongs/food pray. NEVER MIX THE TWO OR ASSOCIATE THE TWO. i haven't had any incidents in the 7 months i have had him but i have heard stories, but those are also taken with a gain of salt cause you know how they can be blown out of proportion.

3) i have never looked at other methods, when i was considering a large snake, i was always told to hook train and really pay attention to body language and be confident with movements, not fast, but concise and predictable (meaning the same thing every time for the same goal no exceptions, so feeding movements that i do are completely different from "hey lets hang out and play"), even things i do in his enclosure are on different sides as to how i approach him, i feed on the right and handle from the left. and cleaning/water change he is removed for that.

4) i dont train my smaller snakes (royals), no need and they are all friendly, i have had a few royals that were snappy but i worked with them slowly and over time to get rid of that defensiveness.... and i wouldn't say its training my retic, its more of a routine for certain interactions to protect myself for when he is a lot larger... but i guess you could say its training because sometimes when he does see the hook he does run up to his glass now and waits (just moved him out of a tub system).

i hope this helps!

Zack