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Post by ebecker on Mar 25, 2013 2:37:47 GMT
Heavy emphasis on the word new!! Lol. I purchased a degu yesterday and he HATES me. He squeaks when I step too close to his cage, runs in the direction away from me on his wheel and gives me a look of absolute distain when he stops and realizes I'm still there, and when he DOES finally calm down from his unnecessary self-induced heart attack, he will take food from the tips of my fingers, but retreats to a corner as soon as he has a firm grasp. I have yet to pet him. I've spent hours sitting in front of his cage trying to help him become accustom to my presence, but so far he's only made it clear that I won't be considered the degu whisperer. Any advice on how to bond, what not to do, and how long it takes them to warm up?
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Post by ntg on Mar 25, 2013 8:53:56 GMT
Welcome to the forum.and congrats on your new arrival! In a nutshell, it takes time and patience. If you only got him yesterday then everything is completely new to him, sights, sounds, even smells, so he'll be really on edge to begin with! Often it helps with bonding if you can just sit beside the cage without interacting with him, for example like reading a book or watching TV as he'll begin to realise you mean no threat. Another great way of doing this is by setting up a playpen and just sitting in it and letting him come and investigate you. He will come around to you eventually, but one thing is that some degus never like the whole being stroked thing, two of ours look at you like you're mental, despite them grooming us, the eldest of the bunch politely sidesteps out of the way and another will only allow it if he has food. Finally, have you thought about getting him a friend? As a degu who is truly happy on his own is an extremely rare occurrence! There's so much more another degu or two can offer him in companionship than a human can, no matter how much time you can devote to them.
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Post by Maravilla on Mar 25, 2013 9:23:59 GMT
Hi, and welcome to the forum! I purchased a degu yesterday and he HATES me. Hate is such a hard word! How can he hate you if he does not even know you?? You are not the first one in saying this, but it is simply not true. Your degu does not hate you, he just does not know you and therefore is so much afraid of you. Imagine being the little creature: new house, new voices, new food (?), new smells, new people (big, awfully big!!) and maybe alone for the first time? Nobody there to protect you and no chance to explain to you that there is no need to be afraid. He takes food from your fingers? Hey, this is a huge step!! And this the very first day!! Some people never get that far! So you can be happy to be at this point. But why is he (or she, do you know?) alone? Was he the only one in the petshop? Under no circumstance should he stay on his own for too long. Sorry, but I am always shocked when I read how often petshops sell lonely degus! How old is he? I got two new degu 2 weeks ago. What I did the first days was sitting in front of their cage, talking to them, reading out loud and offering them some tiny pieces of treats. One still is quite jumpy but very curious, the other enjoys my company. Take your time and let him do the first step.
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Post by yasmin on Mar 25, 2013 18:42:56 GMT
Welcome to the forum, ebecker. Yeah, the fact he takes food from you is a good sign. What have you named him?
Were there other degus in the cage with him when you bought him? I think he really will need companionship from other degus as well and it would be easiest to bring in a same sex degu that he has already shacked up with.
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Post by rmazeds on Mar 26, 2013 11:23:28 GMT
I think most people probably feel that way if they get a Degu that isn't used to being handled. I have felt like that at times but after a month and a half/2 months I can barely remember what they were like when I got them. Just try and avoid forcing it, especially forcing him to be held, if I ever have to pick up Sasha (which I try and avoid cause she hates it) it puts us 2 steps back with her trusting me. Mine is alone now but definitely try and get them a friend as nothing beats that chirping sound they make when talking to each other.
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sona
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 164
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Post by sona on Mar 27, 2013 17:00:03 GMT
If I try picking our goos up they soon run off (I use a large tube when I carry them from their cage to play pen).
There are videos on YouTube with regards taming your Degu that may give you some pointers, but basically, you have to gain their trust first and it takes time. Take your time now and you'll have a fun friend.
First time I let my goos in the play pen I just sat there and let them interact with me so they got to know I was non threatening. Now they walk all over me and will occassionally let me stroke them for all of about 5 seconds, then run off and play.
btw, if you do try to pick him up, don't do it from above as they associate it with a bird swooping down on them (or so i've read).
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