Training my new degus!

[samantha]

Hiya everyone, I am very new to goos! I have two 7 month old boys called Stan and Kyle! I got them about a month ago and am still trying to tame them. They are very exited to jump on my lap as soon as I open the cage door but they don't seem to like being picked up too much, They have crawled on to my arms a few times so we have had a couple of cuddles but they still seem nervous! I have been putting my hand in and offering treats which they accept off me but still dont really jump on my hands, is this normal for only a month of training or should they be tamer by now, also, any training tips will be GREATLY appreciated! x

[taipan]

thats totally normal, goos dont like to be picked up, use the treats to get them on your hands by moving it further up your hand and arm , but this can take a long time, my 2 still wont come on to my hands unless they want to . but are quite happy to sit on my hands or shoulder when they are out having play-time.

if you have to pick them up try to SCOOP from beneath them with 2 hands. coming in from above to GRAB reminds them of predators in the wild, and this is when you could get bit

[samantha]

Wow thank you for that! Your goos look sooo cute by the way! x

[buzz]

It also helps if u can or someone else gives them a treat once they've been picked up.. and put straight back down... eventually they'll think... hmmm this isnt so bad (or so im assuming... who knows what goes on in goos heads sometimes ) well, thats from my experience anyway. I dont always give them a treat when i pick them up anymore but every so often just to keep them on their toes. But also, I never force them to be picked up. I put my hands around them slowly and if they jump away thats fine, I dont persue them. I found that that has helped build a lot of trust too.

[phoenixm]

i have found by establishing a routine....
always visiting them at the same times in the am & afternoons ....
they will associate my visiting with a positive action.....their food, treats, fresh water.....etc.

& then i get a cuddle in when they are distracted by the foodcan ((u can see how enthusiastic they are in my fotos )) .....

[samantha]

Thank you everyone :-) xxx