Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is there any problem with a dog be near the rack system. My concern is that she might pull out one of the tubs or that it might add stress to the snakes. Are these things I need to worry about. And if they are does anyone know a way to set up some sort of locking mechanism to keep the bottom tubs from getting messed with. Obviously a lot depends on the dog here but she is fairly well behaved, but is also a short hair pointer so she loves interesting smells.

Pleas let me know any comments or suggestion about this issue.

James

If your concerned that your dog may/can pull out a tub then you may want to consider some type of lock for the lower tubs...

It's hard for us to recommend a lock system as we have no idea what type of rack you have.

~ Mike Russo

This raises another important question:
What about the possibility of fleas or other parasites? Not saying that your dog has fleas! I'm thinking about MY dog and my fiancee's cats. They are all treated for fleas, but we live in the country and our dog spends the majority of her time outside and only comes in on cold nights. The room she stays in is next to my snake room. Anyone know if snakes are susceptible to fleas the way they are to mites? Any other dog-borne parasites that anyone knows about?
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As a general rule mammals and reptiles host different parasite loads and not much would be shared.

I would be more worried about the fleas getting on myself than the herps

Lance
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Herp Conservation Unlimited

I avoid the situation completely, My vizsla is not allowed in the snake room. He comes to the door and lays down, he knows that he is not allowed to enter the room. It didnt take long to get him to do it either, just a spray of water in the face once he passed the door.
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South Texas Herps

It is a fairly standard melamine rack system I was just going to slide a metal dowel down in front of the tubs through some eyeletts to make sure the dog didnt cause any problems, unless there is a more creative or aesthetically pleasing way that someone knows of. THe problem is my "snake room" is synonomous with my dining room and other areas the dog will have access too. I am still concerned about stress to the snakes but did not consider fleas as a problem to worry about. thanks for the feedback I am getting.

James

...some snakes are capable of killing dogs, some dogs are capable of killing snakes. I have 2 dogs who are allowed in the snake room Both are about 90# Rottweiler/Rhodesian Ridgeback mixes. When they step one foot in the door they know they are required to go sit and stay under the tables that hold the stacks of cages. If they want they may briing their rawhide chew bone. They are very good, took lots and lots more of hours of training and still they need an occasional tune up. If the dogs can't behave as you would have to, don't allow access to your snakes. The snakes shouldn't be exposed to such stress wherever it could be done a different way. I love dogs, mine especially, but they are dogs and do really well when they're expected to be themselves.

my very laid back rhodesian ridgeback came into my snake room as i was holding my mexican black. just curious he gave it a sniff, no harm intended. of course the snake didn't know that and gave a fire-hose musk shot straight up my dogs nose. dog didn't even notice at first, but a few minutes later massive amounts of drool and stuff was coming out of his nose and mouth. lasted for about 5 min, no lasting ill effects, and due to the delayed reaction, i doubt the dog even associated the musking with the snake. but interesting to know such a strong reaction can occur. since the dog and the snake come from different parts of the world it might account for the delayed reaction. now if it was a new world predator native to areas where MBK's hang out, i'm betting the musk might have a much more potent and immediate effect.
mike
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Jayne "The Hero of Canton", Ball Python
Edmund Slackbladder, Mexican Kingsnake
El Diablo "They haven't built a cage I can't get out of" Pueblan Milksnake
(Currently serving 25 to life in a Maryland Supermax)