Maria
Newborn Degu
Posts: 10
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Post by Maria on Apr 23, 2011 23:14:08 GMT
Hi everyone,
Really new to owning Degu,read up on basics,got 3 rescue degu,let them settle for couple of days but cage was minging and really needed a good clean,did bottom easy removing top with degu still in there but top really needed a good clean.Been told one had bit and drawn blood so to give me confidence and hopefully less stress for degu I wore gloves and picked each one up and put into box while I scrubbed cage.
Now reading up more I fear I've stressed the poor things. They are very shy of me and freeze and run to their bed if I approach the cage,I have 2 females and a male( neutered ) the male is braver and more friendly yet he's the one that had bit. Have I ruined things completely now or can I keep trying with them?Will they now always be weary of me?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by Cherpi on Apr 24, 2011 0:24:13 GMT
I have done it a few times, it's needed if they're taking the pee and you need to remove them from the cage, don't worry, I've done it before and mine are fine. Just don't make it a continuous thing because they'll really start to fear you. Give them love and some treats.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 24, 2011 3:22:40 GMT
Congratulations on getting a bit of a cuddle! I don't think you need to fear that you've made a mess of things. Some degus, no matter what, will take a while to adjust and begin to trust you. Others are quicker to think you're OK and venture closer. What you really need to do is have more confidence your ability to win them over than in their ability to resist you. You will need to invest lots of time and patience, but it is well worth it. Let them get used to your scent by sitting by them often, putting your hand into the cage with porridge oats in your palm (without gloves), talking to them, and just being there. The more you do this the more they will see you as a welcome visitor to their cage, and then that will gradually morph into, "Hey, this human brings yummy treats and food . . . come more often!", then into "YAY SHE'S HERE . . . now let us out for a visit!" If you find that porridge oats don't do it for them, try sunflower seeds, or peanuts broken into tiny bits, or plain shredded wheat broken up. The Feeding and Treats board has a thread that is "stickied" and has a bazillion excellent treat suggestions on it. So you are bound to find at least one that they "simply can't live without, and they'll do ANYTHING if you'll just give them more!" They'll let you know when you've hit on it. The pushing and shoving, and "get AWAY from MY treat" language in unmistakable. LOL!
I'm sorry your daughter was bitten!! Poor little love! Degu bites can hurt really bad sometimes. I hope she will be able to get past the shock of it and still be interested in the goos.
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Maria
Newborn Degu
Posts: 10
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Post by Maria on Apr 25, 2011 16:34:12 GMT
Thanks everyone, that's good news, they are already a lot better, one ( Sherbet ) is still a bit shy but I have all the time and patients in the world ( and dandelion leaves )
P.S. It was the owners before me that got bit.
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 25, 2011 18:49:14 GMT
It works really well if you use a tube to move them - they can't resist going inside a tube, so it's quick too  |
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Maria
Newborn Degu
Posts: 10
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Post by Maria on Apr 25, 2011 18:59:57 GMT
Yeah, think I need to be a bit more cunning...lol
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Post by malteser60 on Apr 25, 2011 20:03:28 GMT
I think they will be fine. One of my degus still doesn't like being picked up. My degus have now become very very tame. They even will come running to me if I call them when they are out running in my spare room. I just kneel down, call their names, and they run out to me, jump up onto my shoulders and give me a snuggle. Even so Cinammon still doens't like being picked up. Normallly it's not a problem as she will come onto my hand and run up to my shoulders when I call her in the cage. However sometimes she is just being stubborn, so I have to resort to scooping her up. She doesn't like it at all, but she settles down after I have given her some love (and treats! Never underestimate the power of treats!). When they get to know you better if you do something they don't like they will give you the humph, but will soon forgive you and go back to loving you.
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Post by w8152 on Apr 26, 2011 15:25:52 GMT
I've had Dean for what must be 18 months to almost 2 years and he still doesnt trust me unless there is food involved. Sam i cant seem to get off me when my hand goes in teh cage. seriously he holds my hand with his paws or sits on it... he launched himself onto my head the other day and wouldnt get off my shoulders, not even for food. And Dean just sat in the cage glaring at him for being a smart ass and refusing to acknowledge me at all.
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sara
Newborn Degu
Posts: 2
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Post by sara on Apr 27, 2011 20:33:15 GMT
Hi,
thought i should just let you know not to worry! I got my boys last year and was really unsure about handling them. My boyfriend grabbed one accidentally and made him drop his tail but now they all jump out of the cage onto either of us and trust us completely.
A couple of tips that might help are to talk to them through the cage-you look and feel like an idiot but my boys now reply to me when i sing to them and i think it helped them bond with me. I used to always wear a dressing gown when they first started coming out of their cage, for some reason they feel more confident climbing onto that than your hand. And lastly if you think you can, when they come to the front of the cage give them a scratch behind their ears or on their cheek. Mine wont leave me alone since i started doing that.
Oh and most degus will do anything for a few porridge oats!
Hope it all goes well but keep at it-persistence really does pay off
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