Naughty Boy chewing sofa

[jenowuk]

We've had Bob (male degu) for coming up to 2 years, and he's been a joy. Very friendly and likes to snuggle. His cage mate died at Christmas, and we have bought a new pair, which have been in the next door cage for the last 8-9 weeks whilst they are getting used to each other's smells. Over the last month, Bob has becomes badly behaved. He's chewing our leather sofa, something he has never done before; and is suddenly determined to get anywhere he's not allowed. Any ideas what might be causing his bad behaviour? He's not stopped being friendly with us, but we just can't leave him alone for even a minute!

[cherrysparkey]

I'm surprised hes only just started chewing it! Ours loved our leather sofa so much we had to move it into another room lol. Could it be that he is just a bit more chewy than normal? Mine seem to go through phases of really needing to munch on stuff so I give them a big supply of twigs and it mostly stops them destroying the skirting boards.

Really random thinking, but I had a really old cat that acted really old until our younger one had kittens. Then he seemed to be more energetic and playful. Could your older boy be more 'playful' because of his younger company?

Have no experience on intros so sorry if that didn't really help

[jenowuk]

Thanks for the response. He's never gone for the sofa before, and we do give him lots of chews, twigs etc.... The only thing I'm wondering about is that we've split the cage to have them two lots of goos next to each other. Maybe he's acting out as he doesn't have the space he had a couple of months ago??

[xhannahx]

It could be that hes acting out or it could be that hes acting childish along with the others, i find that my boys are more chewy and naughty when theyre in one of those annoyed/agitated moods-like having heard a bird outside nesting all day.
the more you tell them theyre naughty the more they creep round and watch you as theyre going somewhere they know theyre not allowed, i always say oi slowely in a deep voice and they run off again, its really quite funny-they know exactly what theyre doing.
Changing tone of voice works wonders when conditioning degu behaviour-in the begining to nudge them away from something while saying no or oi or whatever will get them to learn that word and association with being nudged away so they wont need the nudge later on.
Im sure you know this as youve had your degu a while but hopefully when the new ones learn whats acceptable and they will all follow eachothers good behaviour.xx

[jenowuk]

That sound so familiar! I hate to think what our neighbours think, as all I seem to say these days is "no"!

[deguconvert]

I suspect it is in reaction to the little ones next door, being lonely for degu companionship, and perhaps frustration. Have you done any face to face introductions yet?