Naughty little pup!

[amie]

So, one of the babies is playing up something rotten today! He's humping everyone and boxing everyone (which is cool), but he's now being a little agressive towards Elijah. Elijah is taking well, but I can see he's getting a it annoyed. It started when I hand fed them some GertyGP food. He's trying to batter everyone. I haven't had to get involved other a few shouts when the baby was REALLY trying to box, squeel at and have a go at Elijah. Elijah chased him and then started squeeking, but it was more like a scared squeek than any aggressive one. The the baby chased him back and they had a 'face off' in the corner of the cage (not quite a fur ball rolling around, but more like a much harsher version of boxing a squabbling). I think this baby is making a ploy for dominace. Should I leave them to it? The whole way through and in the middle of the baby being in a rotten mood, Elijah was still trying to groom him, sniff him and comfort him, but the baby just kept snapping at him which cause Elijah to get wound up.

They're all best friends again now, but I thought I'd post about this to see if anyone knows if I should do anything or leave them to it?

I've also noticed that this pup likes to be on his own a lot too and doesn't always cuddle up with the others.

I can see Elijah getting quite annoyed with the snappy little sod if he keeps doing it.

[amie]

Thanks for the advice, Smux. You pretty much clarified what I was thinking. I plan to keep them all together. Elijah is with four pups now and fathering them really well. I think the new food (the babies have never had GGP food before) kicked them off. They really liked it! I hand feed them little bits of GGP on top of their nuggets and other treats. This caused the most stir. I have come up with a new rule and one they might not like, but it's happening either way. No treats while inside the cage (other than Elijah). They only get treats at play time now. I didn't want to get involved. I just watched and made sure I was there if there was any blood. shouted a couple of times because I was worried about the baby going round and decking everyone, lol. I'll try to stay completely out of it from now on (unless I'm needed).

I did get bitten when I was trying to calm the baby down. Elijah had put him on his backside and I think was a little freaked out, so I tried to give him a love to calm him down and the little sod bit me! lol. He didn't do much though, stung a bit, but it was a rather pathetic bite! I know he's trying t 'man up', but I think he's got a way to go yet.

Again, thanks for the advice. Not very experienced with babies this young.

Is it normal for them to be.... ummm.... pleasuring themselves at this age?

[philbailey1806]

oh oh lol! They always did fight over oats, so I did as you just said, only gave them treats at one to one time out of the cage, that way less fights break out, I always had to do this with Edna and Ernie too. It's a good job I kept the other big baby, otherwise poor Elijah might be feeling a little overwhelmed! I agree with smux too in that I'd leave them to it, the other big baby (samson) hadn't seen Ernie in a week and when I put him in after you left, he had a go for dominance, but there was no chance with Ernie (he's used to boxing with the fiesty Edna) and the baby was turned round and being humped away before he even knew what was happening lol, and now everyone's nice and happy, much more chilled out than the girls.

[amie]

LOL! It's bloody funny watching an adult hump the babies! I know it shouldn't be, but it's just so WRONG I can't help but laugh. Even funnier when the tiny mites try to hump the adults!

Yeah, I learned the funny way with the oats. I scattered them on the floor of the cage. Well, yeah.... they went crazy! I can't beleive all the things they can do at five weeks old. They're really fast learners.

I gave them wallnut for the first time today. Only a tiny bit. Like a couple of crumbs of it and they loved that. I'll give them bigger bits as they get older, but I don't want to overload them on treats too much at the moment. They've had a lot of treats over the last couple of days, but that's cool, just helping them settle in and come to see me as a treat dispenser! lol.

[philbailey1806]

lol, aw! They sound spoilt! They are fast learners! It's a good job they can't read though otherwise I'd have a mutiny on my hands at all the other pups having treats! I suppose I should try them on more things, but htey just love the oats sooooo much I think they'd be dissappointed if they didn't get them when they're outside the cage lol, as soon as they've eaten them they're looking round for more.

[Kins]

He certainly sounds like a little character, what a devil. Good job you 'palmed them off' on poor unsuspecting Amie hey Phil ;D?!

That's what I call my Jim, a devil in a cute outfit. He is the naughty goo, he's so cute though, especially when he hangs his front legs over the edge of the shelf and kind of looks like a chimpanzee.

[philbailey1806]

ha ha, my Ernie does that from time to time! He looks even more like an ape when he does it on his rope bridge! He even naps there sometimes lol.

[amie]

Phil, I told you I didn't want another 'STEFAN!' lol They've almost got they're names now. Just narrowing my choices down.... haba.

[philbailey1806]

ooooooh! Good! Let me know which you decide to call what! Exciting!

[amie]

I will! I tried to mark them with food colouring the other night. Well, it worked.... until Elijah liked the taste of it and licked it all off, lol. I need a way of marking them so I can who's eating, if it's always the same one sleeping on his own etc until I can tell them apart. It's more difficult having four that all look the bloody same to me. They need to be idividuals now, rather than just the baby pikachus!

[philbailey1806]

ha ha! I know what you mean! It's so hard! I only know the difference between mine because tiberius has a small nick in his ear and jessebell is tiny and hates being handled. What colour is elijahs tongue now?

[amie]

Purple lol.

Because I'm moving house soon, I haven't really had a chance to let them run around yet (letting them bond with him before I try getting them to bond with me, so I suppose it's good in a way that I haven't had much time). Once I do let them out for a run around, I should start noticing little things about them that are different and little ways to tell them apart.

[philbailey1806]

I'm sure you will! They all have their own little quirks. When I got Edna and Ern, they were identical except for the bald patch on his tail, but now Erns much darker and his ears are bigger, and he has big, round friendly eyes next to Ednas evil looking slits lol.

[woodchip]

Evil Edna? Wasn't that from Willo the Wisp back in the 80's?

[philbailey1806]

I've no idea! lol was only born in 88! Ha ha, that would fit brilliantly though! Although she is sweet really, she just looks evil. She does have sneaky side to her though when it comes to treats!

[woodchip]

Err, oops. Showing my age now.

[amie]

Haha.... Only a year younger than me Phil! I also have no idea about what Woodchip was saying, lol. I wanted to steal Edna! I was thinking "I wonder if there's any way to put her in my pocket without Phil noticing?!" lol. He had his eyes on me the whole time though. Good thing really I would have stolen them all while he wasn't looking

[woodchip]

[philbailey1806]

Ha ha ha! I just played that 2nd one and I'm not joking, Edna started running round her cage squeaking!