# How do dogs know if a snake is venomous or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 11, 2015, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-dogs-know-if-a-snake-is-venomous-or-not/717411 "2015-04-11T08:17:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-dogs-know-if-a-snake-is-venomous-or-not/717411/21 "2015-04-12T03:14:29Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > That skunk stuff is really hard to get rid of. Maybe there is some modern product that does it but not back then (~1995-2000…I forget exactly when). [Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dishwashing soap](http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/de-skunking_dog.html). It really is that simple, it just took forever to figure it out. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > My experience is that dogs never learn this. Or are profoundly indifferent to it. It is possible that a dog protecting its property/owner has a different response than one traveling on outside property. It is also possible that some dogs never learn. I run into skunks often enough when hiking with my dogs and they have had their lessons. One of my dogs learned early on to not aggravate the little black and white critters with the big tails, but the other took quite a few sessions before he figured it out. At this point, both dogs can peacefully coexist with skunks and generally just ignore them. The skunks do likewise for the most part–they may occasionally do some puffing, stomping, or handstands, but they refrain from spraying. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-dogs-know-if-a-snake-is-venomous-or-not/717411/22 "2015-04-12T12:58:40Z")
> [@JKilez](#): > > …It is possible that a dog protecting its property/owner has a different response than one traveling on outside property. It is also possible that some dogs never learn… That’s probably it. She was a fearful, territorial, and aggressive dog. We had a lot of little altercations until I convinced her that I owned my backyard, and that I would stand my ground, but not hurt her. She probably thought the other neighbor’s yard was her territory, too. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-dogs-know-if-a-snake-is-venomous-or-not/717411/23 "2015-04-12T13:19:12Z")
Does your friend have pigeon eggs? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-dogs-know-if-a-snake-is-venomous-or-not/717411/24 "2015-04-12T13:42:59Z")
As this is the SDMB, and nitpicks are what we do, I feel the need to point out that all snakes are venomous. Even snakes like pythons, which kill by constriction, where the venom glands have been adapted to produce mucus to assist with ingestion, still produce venom to some extent. ---
**Author:** ![Inna\_Minnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-dogs-know-if-a-snake-is-venomous-or-not/717411/25 "2015-04-12T14:48:26Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Maybe it is a Darwinian thing. > > Dogs in the wild sprayed by a skunk may be unable to hunt effectively (their prey can literally smell them a mile away). I would think it could be an advantage. The intended prey would smell skunk (not terribly dangerous) instead of dog (will kill me and eat me.) ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-dogs-know-if-a-snake-is-venomous-or-not/717411/26 "2015-04-13T20:41:56Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > IOW, the OP’s Thai friend is on at least his 2nd dog. 😃 > [@Jackmannii](#): > > Plus sides and a drink refill. OK, that’s just FUNNY 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-dogs-know-if-a-snake-is-venomous-or-not/717411.md?page=1)