2 steps back

[mja241281]

well, tried again tonite and seems we have hit 2 steps back.

All was going well between Gabi, Abi & Dexter in the bath then in came Coleen. Coleen proceeds to try and hump everyone and Abi has taken exception to this and anytime Coleen goes near Abi Abi runs away screaming

So we took Coleen out of the equation and all was fine. As it's been about a week we decided to clean dexters cage to put Gabi, Abi and Dexter in to see how it went and to move Coleen in the cage next to them but it seems that the experience with Coleen has made Abi disagree whenever Dexter goes near her to groom her so out came Gabi & Abi and back into thier cage.

Dexter and Gabi are fine and both are fine with Coleen (both admit that she is the top goo) but it's just Abi and I don't want to go down the route of splitting Abi away from her mother so I'm going to wait until my cage is finished to try them again in that (it might be because dexters smell was still about the cage).

Not only that but it seems that coleen has taken exception to it all and actually went and lunged and bit my arm when i put my hand in her cage :$

this is going to take a while longer than expected.

Any Advice???

[deguconvert]

Well . . . it may seem counter intuitive, but what if you did more intros that are short? Say every other day, building up to every day, but limit them to about 15 minutes. As they become more familiar and you start to see improvement, lengthen their time together by 5 minutes and so on. Have on hand the water spray bottle, a towel, and your own loud squeak. That way if/when you see behavior that is aggressive, you can discourage it. (This will help establish your position of authority as well.) I would start with loud squeaks and a nudge on the offending degu, but if that doesn't work, squirt with water and put the towel over it. Then put them back in their cage alone. They will get the message that being nasty results in being alone. Alone is NOT good in degu books, and that is a useful tool. Keep us up on how it's going.

[mja241281]

tried again lastnite, this time on the bathroom floor not the bath (Abi does not like being in the bath) and all was going well until dexter took exception to coleen (which then made Abi take an exception too her) couldn't see a reason why tho.

We took coleen out of the equasion and all was well.....until dexters tail started beating and shaking and he started to warble....poor dexter had an attack of the horn lol poor Abi was the object of his affection but she didn't seem to mind lol.

When we put them back into thier own cages (poor dexter spent the night in Gabi & Abis' cage without his wheel and vice versa) dexter made a happy chirpy warble as he ran around his cage and when he was in his wheel he made it again (he LOVES his wheel) and everytime I opened the door of Gabi & Abis' cage Gabi made a break for it to try and find a way back in to Dexters cage.

At the moment Coleens cage is the other side of the room due to lack of space but Dexter and Gabi & Abi have been next to each other for over a month so we are going to concerntrate on getting Gabi Abi & Dexter together then will move Coleens cage next to them and leave it for a month before trying again.

[deguconvert]

Sounds like a good plan! It might even be the very best route to follow, and I'm glad you've decided to do that. I didn't understand that Coleen was already on the other side of the room. She may be better ready for the intros once her cage is next to the others for that extended period of time, where constant daily interactions can help her grow accustomed to their smells and the sight of them. I think you are wise!

[mja241281]

I'm going to have to purchase another John Hopewell Wheel for the new cage as I think dexter LOVES his too much to share lol, it'll be thier xmas pressie.

[deguconvert]

ROFL!!! Ours loved the wheels so much that we have actually ended up with 4 in the cage!! They are almost always on a wheel, and one is almost always in motion at any given time of the day. It can be SO NOISY!!! If it weren't for the cost of the JH wheel and shipping it over here, I would get one just to have it a little quieter. LOL! I love the sounds them make though, and strangely it is comforting to here the squeak, squeal, and bang bang of the wheels throughout the day.

[mja241281]

well tried introducing Coleen with Dexter, Abi & Gabi lastnite and all was going well then Coleen tried to dominate all three of them which they didn't want so a fight started with each and ended with blood being drawn from Gabi. This has left me disheartened and I feel now that Coleen will not fit in I think she needs to be introduced into a group of younger females if she is to be put into a group as she obviously wants to be top goo.

After her drawing blood from Gabi (the most docile of my 3) I dare not try her with them again.

[mja241281]

on the up side however I am picking up another single female goo tomoz whos friend had passed on to rainbow bridge in august so taking her in to try and bond with coleen.

Dexter, Gabi and Abi will be moved downstairs and Coleen will be moved net to new goo. Fingers crossed.

[deguconvert]

I hope it will all go well for you! I feel bad that she just won't learn to fit in with the other three. What is her age, do you know? I'm beginning to wonder if she is one of those female degus that have too much testosterone coursing through her veins.

[mja241281]

I'm not sure how old she is, starbizzare rescued her from P@H i think....
And she definately is a spunky one, right cheeky little madame. Fingers crossed Louisa gets on with her.

[starbizarre]

Oh, this is sad

They said she was about 10-12 weeks when we got her, we had her for about 3 months, sooo how long have you had her for now? Hmm.

I hope she bonds with the new girl, though if she doesn't we can chat about me having her back if needs be. I will work something out!!

[mja241281]

I'll give it till after xmas mate. Brought the new one home and coleen seems to be sqealing at her a lot from the moment she noticed she was there, sounds agressive but we'll see. gunna leave it a month before i try in the bath lol

[deguconvert]

So we know then that she is well into her teens and her sexual maturity is peaked. She could be one that suffers from too much testosterone alright. She may need to be spayed in order to ensure a happy bonding with other degus.

[mja241281]

we'll give it a try first with Louisa but if spaying may be the only option after that it will be done. I'm determined to get her bonded lol

[deguconvert]

LOL! Then she has met her match hasn't she!

[mja241281]

she certainly has. I don't like taking animals in as a rescue and having to rehome them again (had to do that recently with a few of my birds for various reasons) so Coleen will be staying regardless lol.