My Degus Are Biting? Nibbling Too Hard? :/

[rcrothers951]

Well, You see. I've had my 2 degus for almost 3 months now.
Pablo and Marcello. They're both male.
From the start, Marcello had always been the slower one, more friendly.
Pablo had always been really fast, and more shy.
So whilst Marcello was already climbing onto my hand, arms, and shoulder. Pablo just stuck to the wheel.
So i decided to try and get Pablo to trust me more.
I had took Marcello out into the ball, whilst i spend time with Pablo. So over a week or so, Pablo had gained more confidence. And now both of them climb onto my hands, arms

But now.. Both of them have started biting/nibbling too hard.
They've never done this before they both started climbing onto me..
And it does hurt :/
Marcello didn't bite before Pablo started going onto my hands.
He doesn't really bite, more nibbling.
But Pablo bites hard. It's sore.
I've even tried for my hands to not smell of food.

Anybody know what i can do?
:/
Thanks x

[Whizz]

If you watch Goo's when they groom each other, when the groomer (he will use his teeth to 'file' through the others fur) 'grooms too hard' (to the point which it hurts the groomee) the groomee will let out a loud, but short high pitched squeak. It's a sort of 'Oww! You're hurting me!' gesture.

So next time they nibble you (it's usually seem as a sign of affection, as their grooming you) a bit too hard, let out a loud high pitched squeak (make it short too) to let them know it's hurting you. And see how that goes.

[degus123]

May be wrong but using my limited own knowledge and what I have read...

Now that they trust you, they have started nibbling you because they are "grooming you", I am sure you have witnessed them grooming each other and one will make a sound. This sound is usually to let the other know they are being abit too rough. So some people suggest that when they bite you/are a bit too rough that you squeek, to signal it's too rough.
Sure someone more experienced will comment.

[degus123]

LOL beaten to it, but kind of happy I was right

[rcrothers951]

Haha thanks Gotta start practising my squeaking now :L aha x

[smux]

Squeaking is the natural one, but a tap on the nose or saying no or anything like that will eventually be recognised as you telling them they're doing wrong