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Post by hpdegus on Aug 28, 2018 22:52:21 GMT
Hi all! I'd appreciate any advice! So I had a lone goo, Fred, who I introduced two 6wk old pups to recently. They've been with him since Friday and everything goes swimmingly until evening these past few days. Normally, when Fred mounts Newt (pup 1), Newt will squeak and move away. However, at night, Newt starts screeching. He then either runs away, or will sort of dive bomb Fred. Fred will back away, or just today, screeches back and his tail wags. Thoughts? I don't want to separate them of I don't have to, since there's been no injuries or actual fighting. Also, Fred and Pickett (pup 2) get along very very well. Thanks in advance! Pup picture as payment
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Post by ntg on Aug 28, 2018 23:02:23 GMT
Are you sure the pups are 6 weeks old? As that's really too early for them to be removed from their mother since the last couple of weeks are important for them to learn normal degu socialisation from their parents.
How did you introduce them together? Even with pups we recommend that you take things cautiously rather than just sticking them together as some can get overwhelmed that way. If there's already tail wagging and defensive behaviour between them then I'd recommend splitting the pups from Fred and introducing them slowly incase things turn serious (a pup can very easily be killed by an adult goo).
Finally, have you double-checked yourself that both pups (and Fred) are the same sex as each other? Degus are commonly mis-sexed so it's always wise to double-check.
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Post by savvy on Aug 28, 2018 23:39:42 GMT
I've got to agree with ntg, 6 weeks is too young to be separated from their mother.
Also pups are hard work for any adult degu, intros should be taken slowly at any age, but pups are more vulnerable due to their size if it gets out of hand.
Double check and triple check they are all the same sex and keep us posted.
Love the pup pic!
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Post by hpdegus on Aug 29, 2018 0:07:26 GMT
Well, that's unfortunate. Good news is that they are both definitely male. Bad news is that they got into a fight. No one is injured, but the pups are now separated from Fred.
As for introducing, they were in their cage side by side with his for a few hours. He then got to explore his play area while their cage was in there. Everything seemed to be going well, so then they met face to face. The pups submitted quickly, and actually ran to him. They stayed together for the night while I watched them.
They've been sleeping, napping, and grooming together, so this is all kind of frustrating. I was hoping that it would go well, because they all seemed really happy, but I guess that's goos for you.
Any suggestions on how to proceed?
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Post by savvy on Aug 29, 2018 0:18:38 GMT
Unfortunately that is goos for you.
You need to take it slowly. The intro phase can take months!
Keep their cages side by side so they can see each other and interact through the bars, but not reach each other.
Try intros in a neutral space such as a play pen, but be ready to intervene if they start fighting. If they do fight, separate immediately and abandon the intro for that day so they can all calm down. Do this every day, increasing their time together by a few minutes each day.
You may find yourself taking one step forward and two back for a while, but don't give up.
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Post by hpdegus on Aug 29, 2018 0:49:41 GMT
Haha, ya, that's goos. So much personality. Which I love most of the time Ok, I'll definitely give them the night to cool off then. I'll try seeing how they do tomorrow with time together. Hopefully I'll be able to get everyone together before the pups hit puberty. Pickett and Fred seem to get on really well, I think Fred may have just been too eager for Newt. Who knows though!
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 29, 2018 17:23:20 GMT
Newt may also be the more dominant of the pups, so is not too keen on submitting to Fred. Pickett might simply be more submissive, and of a personality that compliments Fred naturally. Don't despair though, that doesn't mean it is impossible to bond all three, it just means it will take time and probably a few fights to get there. Especially once puberty is on the table.
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Post by hpdegus on Aug 29, 2018 17:31:02 GMT
Good point Deguconvert! Newt is very much more dominant. I've seen him play mounting Pickett a lot. Pickett is also the runt of the litter.
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm hoping everyone is doing a bit better tonight when I go home.
On a nicer note, the pups are both very very friendly and outgoing. Both climb all over me and it's difficult to keep them in the cage!
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 29, 2018 17:34:43 GMT
Awww! That's lovely!!
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Post by hpdegus on Aug 29, 2018 18:33:56 GMT
Definitely! Here's a pic of the pups and Fred grooming each other on my hand. Hopefully they'll all get back together!
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 30, 2018 2:16:21 GMT
Does Fred have a lump on his face?
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Post by hpdegus on Aug 31, 2018 20:41:46 GMT
Not that I can see. I think it's the angle. But I'll check him out.
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 31, 2018 22:19:16 GMT
Could be the angle alright. He is quite a bit bigger than the pups, after all.
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Post by hpdegus on Aug 31, 2018 23:36:42 GMT
He didn't really let me feel the sides of his face, but I can't see a bump. I'll keep an eye out though.
On a different note, he and the pups had play time together. Newt was actually great with Fred, and I heard them greeting each other through the bars just now. Pickett I think is a bit scared. Whenever Fred comes by he makes sounds like a squeaky wheel. I'll try to take video, but I've never heard sounds like these before.
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 1, 2018 3:31:52 GMT
A video would be helpful!
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Post by hpdegus on Sept 1, 2018 12:43:29 GMT
I'm using tapatalk which won't let me upload videos. Do you have suggestions for ways to upload?
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Post by ntg on Sept 1, 2018 16:11:19 GMT
The easiest way is to upload to YouTube and share the link to the video
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Post by hpdegus on Sept 1, 2018 20:10:21 GMT
Thanks ntg! I've also posted a video of the noises Fred is now making when any of my other goos are in the play area. youtu.be/mr9Joy-QBG4This is the noise Newt is making. Its towards the end of the video. youtu.be/7Jw5HqhMnC4Apologies for such poor quality!
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 1, 2018 22:17:57 GMT
I think Fred is warning them to stay away from his territory. Can't hear any noises well enough to comment on from the second video.
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Post by savvy on Sept 1, 2018 22:24:26 GMT
I get the same noise from Bumblebee when I'm giving him a treat! Poor little guy is torn between wanting the treat and sending me off, lol.
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