It's really not as twisted as it sounds. My old girl, Halftrack, who is a 50 pound mutt-mostly Rhodesian Ridgeback, has been banned from the bedroom since I brought Roxy, my 7 1/2ish Boa, into the family. Halftrack wants to come back in the room and sleep with us. I'm hesitant because when I first got Roxy she struck out at the tank. I don't know if it was adjusting to the new environment or she thought Halftrack would be a good snack. So, again, I defer to the experts, what are your thoughts on letting my dog back in the room at night. She tends to want to lie by the tank because that is by my side of the bed.

The dog may stress out the snake. You may try bringing the dog into the room for short periods to get the snake used to the dog's presence. She may eventually calm down when she realizes the dog can get to her.

Or, if it's just for a few hours, you could cover the cage so that she can't see the dog when he's in the room.

But ultimately, if the dog really stresses out the snake and you can't get that to change, it's best to keep them apart.

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"Let's eat, Grandpa!"
"Let's eat Grandpa!"

Punctuation. It saves lives.

Good words of wisdom! I would say initially it's a fear response. The boa is settling...and dogs are instinctively predators. The combo could easily be too much for even a large snake. Baby steps would be the way to go in introductions. The old girl needs her place back on the bed...;-D

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Veronica
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could you drape a sheet or something over the snakes tank at night so the snake can't see the dog?

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Really!, She was first. Right?

Your dog sees you as the leader of the pack and wants to be around you. Snakes don't need social comfort.
I have a dog and a cat along with a ball python and a carpet python. My dog could care less about the snakes but my cat was initially freaked out when I moved the ball into my bedroom. He was really freaked out at first but eventually got used to it. Now he doesn't pay any attention to the snake at all.
One Idea would to put a low level screen to keep them from seeing each other.
For example, I drew a cheap graphic of how it might be accomplished.
http://www.herpcenter.com/gallery/fi...5/4/9/cage.jpg

This is a side/slice away view.

Don't put your snake above your dog. In the end the snake won't care and your dog won't understand.

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Git'er Done!

I was actually more worried about the heat or smell Halftrack gave off. She may have been a predator, after a 100 years of domestication, she is my little snausage. She couldn't give a rat's *** (OMG! No pun intended) about the snake. She just gives it the same dirty looks she gives the cats and the hamster. And all the other critters before that. Including children. I just don't want to antagonize Roxy. She is 20-30ish pounds of instinct. Fortunately, I think I have been given some good advice and I am off this week running "Day Care". So I can probably put them in the room for short intervals while I supervise. I am going to give it a try; that and covering Roxy's cage. Halftrack is just really needy now. I know her time is WAY too at hand. She's about 14. I'll let you all know how it works out. Hopefully, they can coexist while we are sleeping but then that is when Roxy id up and about.

Chances are Roxy can already smell Halftrack. Just closing the door doesn't eliminate that. If she were upset by that, she'd be nervous and aggressive most of the time, or hiding and lethargic.

Since that doesn't seem to be the problem, it's probably a visual thing. Having the predator right there in front of her freaks her out. Make sure she has a secure hide she can go in if she feels nervous. I do think that she may already be somewhat acclimated to the dog. "Introducing" them, and allowing her to see that she's safe even with the dog will help.

I would definitely not recommend having her out of the cage at the same time as the dog is in the room, however.

__________________
"Let's eat, Grandpa!"
"Let's eat Grandpa!"

Punctuation. It saves lives.

You are right. I'm sure Roxy can smell Halftrack. They have an awareness of each other. They've seen each other when I am taking Roxy outside or locking her up in the bathroom while I do her tank, they've had to pass each other. Plus Halfie will still come in the room whenever she has the opportunity. Thanks for the graphic, Og. I am going to cover her tank for now until I can get something the right size to only cover the bottom half. I'll let you know when I have peace in the valley.

Peace in the valley!! Halftrack has spent the last couple of nights in the room. Thank you again, Og. I'm only draping a sheet over Roxy's tank (lazy isn't always less efficient). But I thought about how ridiculous I was thinking that she could only smell the dog in the room. Okay, I admit it....DUH!!!! Halfie could care a less about the snake and in turn, Roxy really has never paid Halfie any mind when I walk around the house with her (Roxy). On the lighter side, someone did comment that all my Alpha/Predatory animals were female. Never thought about that before.