Taming Degus

[christineharvey42]

How would I be able to tame a neglected Degu. I have rescued him, and he is older (2 1/2 - 3 years).
He doesn't enjoy being handled.
How can I help him and myself?

[deguconvert]

Start very slowly and gently. Just sitting beside his cage and talking to him, looking past him not at him, will help him learn your voice is safe. When he stops showing aggitation with this process, open the cage door and talk to him, if he comes to the open door, offer him a treat. Treats such as raw sunflower seeds, porrideg oats, crisp rice cereal, or pecans bits, are all very well received by degus, and if one of those really appeals, you've found your best help. Do this until he starts grabbing hold of your hand to get the treat. IF at any time in this part of training, he tries to nip or bite you, emit a very loud high pitched squeak to tell him to not do that. It should give him pause, and while he is thinking about it, you shut the cage door and walk away. Try again later. Once he is holding or touching you with his paws, place the desired treat in the flat of your palm and invite him to sit on your hand. You may have to rest your palm inside his cage to help him feel confident. As his confidence grows, you can gradually move your palm farther out the door, and he will begin to learn that he can safely leave his cage while on your hand. If he shows any fear, just pop him back in right away and close the door again. Come back later. Now is a great time to have one on one time with him in the bathroom, where you will sit on the floor and he will run round. Make sure there are no holes in walls or cupboards where he can escape through or into. To get him out of his cage, entice him into a tube or a bowl and carry him into the bathroom, shut the door, place tube/bowl on the floor and let him explore. If you lay down flat, he will likely start to explore you as well. Take in some of his fav treat with you and occasionally give him one. (You can train him to come at the call of his name by rewarding him each time he comes after you call his name. But this might be best left till you and he have more of a bond.) Take him back to his cage in the same manner as you brought him.

I had a very shy degu that was terrified of being held or of the mere suggestion that a human was in the room. He bit me very hard multiple times before I had persuaded him that I could be trusted. Sometimes he bit, not because I had done something, but because he was overwhelmed and feared I might do something. It took me a full three plus months to build a good bond with him, and I worked with only him. Our other two boys were already doing great. I would train with him three times each day. He did get there, and he is the most dependable of the remaining two boys. I know you can do this too!!

I think this is probably enough to go with for now. Do let us know how it is going?

[moletteuk]

(cross post with deguconvert so some things are repeated)

Hi Christine, well done for rescuing him Does he have a friend?

I would say to be patient but persistent, take things at his pace, keep an open mind to recognise his signs of responding to you might not be what you expect but can be very rewarding nevertheless. He might never enjoy being stroked, but he might love snuggling up your jumper or grooming your face in time.

You need to find what food he loves, this is the key to his heart. Sunflower seeds or oats work well, but you can only feed these in limited quantities, especially the seeds as they aren't too healthy. If you are doing intensive taming, it can help to find something healthy that he loves, like flowers or herbs. If he's really scared to start with just leave treat food for him and stay close by and still until he comes to investigate, and then leave your hand nearer, and then offer the treat on your hand, and so on.

You might find he is wary of sudden movement, my goos still scatter if someone suddenly waves their arms about.

[christineharvey42]

Hi,
thank you both for the help. I have fallen for this little guy and want to give him a good permanent home. With the help of a friend involved in small animal rescue and and Bosley's, Oscar now has a rick habitat.

I've always had rats thinking there was no better pet in the world: super smart insanely clean a more affectionate than a puppy! All the right things for me only now in an other even more wonderful package.

I now have the correct food and healthy treats, toys wheels, balls, etc. Oscar had a cage mate who died just before the rescue. I am sure it was another male due to all the chewed bits on Oscars little ears. He keeps them flat except for two times and I could not figure out what made it happen. Two months later I have heard him make two sounds: a high squeal, sounding extremely frightened and the other a happy little chirp.

Oscar does take food from my hand but the slightest little move has him scattering to his cage.
He knows three words now - Oscar Ball and Treat. These words have helped me help him. Oscar likes his big ball and will come to it when I say "Oscar - ball". I have lost him and recovered him in this manner twice. My rats were free range rats and had ramps and toys every where and I want Oscar to be treated the same way.

He likes oat flakes and puffed wheat, so I do reward him for coming to his name, ball, treat. Now I am teaching him the word Home.

I do want to rescue another playmate, some one much younger or much older. I could do with advise on when and what. Judging from what I've read we have more than enough space for at least one more, and Oscar is lonely I am sure.

He does play with his toys, and runs on his wheel, and roll in his ball but Oscar would like to share as soon as possible.

I know I must be calm and slow to gain his trust and it is worth it and working!

Any education you all provide will be put to use and any good suggestions, advise or direction will be heeded.

Again, thank you!

Christine

[deguconvert]

How long have you had Oscar for now?

[moletteuk]

It sounds like you are doing really well Have you tried lying on the floor with him, maybe scatter a few seeds over yourself and let him explore, it can really help with trust. The other thing to get him a bit more used to movement and contact, is to offer a treat that he really likes that comes in little bits (like oats) so he has to stay in one place to eat it, while he is engrossed in this you can start to put a hand near him, gently touch him behind the ears, just make sure he sees your moving hand first.

Unless you can find another lone male, it's probably best to introduce a pair to him, and a pair of youngsters is simplest. Degus usually accept very young degus quite readily as their instincts to parent take over. Hopefully, having a friend or two would really improve his confidence.

[christineharvey42]

Mornin

I am new to typing and the net so sorry for any errors.

Thank you and Oscar and I will try that in the morning. As I live in a handy capped suite the bathroom is huge, very open and we have heated floors. Oscar really likes them.

Sounds like a pair of youngsters is the way to go. The concern with this is space. I built houses for years and did it in INCHES, so i don't relate well to the metric system. I will describe Oscar's space and some one could let me know if adopting or rescuing will be good for all involved (prefer rescue)

Oscar has four areas of cages and play surfaces. The sizes are: Main cage: 30x30x14 double decker with ramps, ladders ,a 10" safe wheel, a wooden hut, three little platforms on different levels and in different spots

That sits on wheels next to a open platform play area 37x30 usually with toys, boxes, sticks and/or balls/tubes

At the end of the table top sits two stacked cages: bottom is 23x12x16 and top is 18x9x13 & they have ramps and arches leading to each other.

Oscar also has a "grotto" which he accesses through a little door off his big cage. It is a boxed out window: 48x14 with a 16" grill along the front edge as he has jumped off this to a foot stool. He likes his dust bath put there.

All opinions about size are welcome. Oh, this whole area is in the main living area of my place as I would rather watch Oscar than daytime TV. It sort of divides the living room from the kitchen. He can enjoy sunshine if he wants or stay in the shade coz there is plenty of both.

If it seems roomy enough to be healthy, we would be happy to help two little ones.

I am looking forward to trying the bath oat floor in the morning!

you guys have been great, Thanks,eh

Christine

[christineharvey42]

OOPS
I forgot to tell you that Oscar has been with me now for a little over two month, so I've had at least one laff every day


C42

[deguconvert]

You have gone to great lengths to give Oscar a lot of different spaces to have as his home . . . and I applaud you for your efforts. I would LOVE to see photos of it, it sounds so creative and fun!! However, I am sorry to have to say that he needs a lot more space than these give him . . . and to add two little ones to his home as companions for him, will hugely increase the amount of cumulative running/surface area you need to keep them happy and healthy. We have an excellent tool made for the forum by a member by the name of Fred, it is called CARA, and you can find it here. deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Cage&action=display&thread=9396
Working out your CARA, what Oscar lives in right now is about 7800 sq cm of space . . . which isn't enough. Although . . . I do have a question for you, as I am not sure I understood your statement. Your main cage is a "double decker" . . . you mean that there are two levels of exactly the same area in it? If you do, that brings your area up to 10,050 . . . which actually is probably OK for just Oscar, and I would say it doesn't put him in danger of the issues that can result from too small a space. If you bring in two more little ones, then you need to have a minimum surface area of 15,000 sq cm, or the equivalent 2,300 sq inches.

We like to recommend wheels with a diameter of at least 12 inches, because wheels smaller than that forces the spine of the degu running on it into an inverse curve, which quite unhealthy for their spine. It would be to Oscars benefit to replace the current wheel with a larger one when you are able.

With a bathroom as large as I imagine yours to be, I expect you will have a built in space that is EXCELLENT for Oscar to run round in, and for you to build even more relationship with him. I think you are going to have a lot of fun with him!! Can't wait to hear how it goes!! ;D

[moletteuk]

Yes, that sounds like an interesting set-up, but it's quite difficult for me to visualise. I'm not sure if he has permanent access to the play area and grotto, and I'm not certain which dimensions are the height and which the depth? I'm sure with imagination like that you can tweak it into something really good

[christineharvey42]

Good Morning, Deguconvert and Moletteuk:

Taking the time to educate and communicate with new goo - people is generous and kind. This allows me to trust your advise, so now I feel more confident that with this kind of support I will be able to help more little orphans.

Taking your advise i will contact my fried in small animal rescue to see if she still has the other cage she offered. It is as big as the double decker just different shape.

Oh, and the main cage is the same size top and bottom. It came with a wire floor on top of a metal pan. I removed the grid right away as I learned about "bumble foot" with my rescue rats. I have cut squares and rectangles out of it as well as taken strips bent them in my vice to form stairs, ramps and little platforms. These have been placed in different areas of Oscars living area and changed the location or heights once I learned how he uses them.

Oscar does have access to the grotto at all times but I close his cage door to the play area if I am not at home. I haven't been able to snag a grill to keep him safe from falling or jumping to the floor.

I am 60 very soon and had to retire from my work over a decade ago so other than errands like food ,library, Bosley's and my volunteer work with the community RCMP group, I am home most of the time. When my medical conditions prevent normal activities , my daughter and grand kids live in the building across the street and have never failed to help with my pets, chores, house work or errands. I am most fortunate in that regard.

I will give Oscar as much out of cage time as possible till we get additional housing for him. H e has been running his ball up the hall way in my apartment building. Oscar really likes this unobstructed loooong run. People now come out of their homes to watch him go!

Oscar's ball in 11&1/2" and his wheel is the same size. He came with an eight 8" inch wheel and we could see right away his little ears and puffy tail top were nearly touching across his back. My daughter got him the larger sized equipment two days later.So now in his big ball he goes fast enough that I have to walk quite quickly to keep up with him!

I am sorry for the "blizzard of sharing", but watching him become healthier and happier on a daily basis is wonderful. I know it isn't world peace, it is a small bite out of the harm some folks can, and often do.

I will keep you posted and more thanks!

C42

[deguconvert]

CANADA!!! CHEERS to you!!! You are a part of COPS? I have a sister and brother-in-law that are part of a COPS group in their community as well. It really keeps them busy, but they seem to really like it.

Sounds like Oscar is making visible improvements, AND like he has been wrapping you around his little paws. They are like that, aren't they? We fall head over heels for them . . . and then they lead us around. LOL! I enjoyed the read, and learning a bit about you, so didn't seem a long read at all. I'm a talker, though . . . so getting me to be quiet is sometimes a real challenge. Hee hee!

I look forward to getting to know you better, Christine!!

[christineharvey42]

Greetings Group

I've spoken with my small animal buddy and we should have the other cage next week. As soon a I get it I will measure and ask for as many opinions as possible.

Oscar certainly has a way with my older friends. When I had the rats Max wouldn't come into my apartment unless they were locked in their cage, in another room, and the door closed! Now with Oscar friends are all wanting me to get him tame enough so they can give him belly rubs.

When I get up in the morning, he seems to be doing "Degu Yoga" in his little box out window grotto. Oscar is flat on his little tummy stretching his tiny short little legs waaaay out to the front and the back. Then he rolls over and turns his chubby little tummy to the sun.


I know Oscar is not the only degu to do such things but I am sure he does it much sweeter than any one elses!

Next to Oscar and my grand kids, COP's is about my favourite thing. I dispatch every Saturday from about 9pm to 3 or 4 am. I started nearly eight years ago. Some nights are very scary and other nights are kinda funny. I am in BC, where are your folks located?

In the mean time, Oscar will continue to teach me and I will be the dutiful student and try not to disappoint him or the kind folk on this site. Catch y'all next week with new cage sizes.
Thanks'eh!
C42

[deguconvert]

My family that is involved are around the Gull Lake, AB area. I've not been involved myself, but from what I hear from my sister, it makes a HUGE difference for them all year round. We are in Calgary, but my husband originates from Summerland, and I lived in Nanaimo for a few years. We would love to be back in BC . . . we miss it a lot.

Oscar sounds like a true character! I think it is WONDERFUL that he has captured the hearts of your friends. That's a great testament to the wonderful nature and characters of degus. Think you could get a picture of him in the morning to post on here for us? I would love to see him doing his morning routine!

[christineharvey42]

Greetings,

I think one of my kids has a camera that would be internet friendly, so I'll ask to have a lesson on using it or borrow one of these sunny mornings. Oscar does work his charms well in his little grotto.

We aren't making much headway in the bathroom hide-a-treat-on my-person. He does find the treat easily but he streaks off behind the toilet to eat it. Any move to touch him sends him scampering far away.

How effective or damaging would it be to just scoop him off his table top play area, give him a quick snuggle or pat on the head, set him free again and offer a treat?

My small animal helper hasn't made it here yet with the new cage. We are getting as much run time as possible either in the ball in the hall or just extending his out of cage play time as early and late as possible through out the day.

In the mean time we change up his toys and sticks/branches fairly often to try to keep Oscar interested and active. He has a specific sticks that he likes in specific areas. Same with his cat toys. He carries the little balls with bells inside to all different areas of his habitat. I wonder what his logic is? Oh well.

I will contact my small animal friend again by the end of the week. She is normally quick to respond, so I shan't give up on her. She is out to better the lives of as many fury critters as possible.

Has any one got any thoughts on getting Oscar an older companion? I might just be feeling guilty for the loss of his cage mate.

An aside- does Gull Lake have more crimes during full moons? Just curious. Thanks more to all the degu folks for sharing info.

C42

[deguconvert]

It could be rather damaging to do so. I think if you can just sit still, let him take the treat, and then put out another treat, over and over again he will begin to sit on you eventually. Sitting still will help him to know you are not planning to get him. If you can lay on the floor, sometimes that works even better!

I think getting him a similarly aged degu to be a companion to him would be great for him!!

I do think they have more crimes during full moons . . . at least I am sure I remember my sister mentioning that. Do you as well?

[moletteuk]

Looking forward to seeing pics of your handsome chap and his home

Try a treat that comes in a small format, like oats or tiny seeds (like millet), you can put some in your hand or scattered on your legs, so that he can't run off with it and has to stay if he wants to get all of it. Once he seems more comfortable with this, you can very slowly move your hand towards touching him, but it could take a while for you to get to this point. I'm afraid you really can't rush it, if you scoop him up or dive in to touch him without his consent, it could really damage his trust in you. I promise it's worth the wait!

[christineharvey42]

Good advise

I must have felt that too or I would have tried it. We will be calling about the cage from my animal friend today. Between work, family, and rescue, she is pretty bizzy.

Oscar's cage and grotto are right beside my reading,TV watching chair so I chat with him most of the day. I sing to him too but as he has not applauded, I don't think he likes it much!

I have a extra shift this weekend so I will make sure Oscar has several runs in the hall way. He has now learned to roll in and out of the door by himself. This is good and bad. Oscar now controls whether or not he goes rolling and when he has had enough.

Now, though, I can't leave my door open when he is in his ball. Open door is not a common practise, but it does happen.

I have found that kneeling beside his table top play area usually gives me some contact with Oscar. The eyebrow nibble was great, I have had a nose rub, and hair stroked. In this way we have made some progress.

And now that I have listened to myself on that note, I will increase the time spent doing THAT! Coz he doesn't run away, he usually comes close for a sniff, and he does not scatter to the bottom of his big cage into his hut. Boy, I sure wish we had thought of this a month ago.

Now I am excited to try this for a week or two. You guys are great. I wouldn't have thought to try this without chatting with Goo-Folk. I will let you know of our progress.

Small aside, I have thought there was an increase in petty, minor events. Perhaps the moons gravitational pull is stronger when full, and tugs on one's moral compass in an odd way ()

Catch up with u-goos later.

c42