jan
member
Posts: 12 
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Post by jan on Apr 18, 2014 6:48:33 GMT -8
When one or more of our gerbils make a mess outside their tanks during playtime, we put them back immediately and don't give them a treat. I'm just wondering if this reinforces to them that if they make a mess playtime is over, or that they can go back to their homes? We're trying to teach them not to pee & poop outside their tanks, but I'm worried that it may have the opposite effect.
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keldamouse
Member
rest in peace my dear lovely Leela youre in our hearts
Posts: 374
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Post by keldamouse on Apr 18, 2014 7:44:16 GMT -8
well, I think they won't really be trained like that. I think that the older they get and the more used to playtime it gets they will stop pooping and peeing. Mine two girls were probably 6 months old and were really not tame at all. When I put them in the playpen they would go poo a bit but if I provided enough hiding spots but not pee as much. When they were on me they would burrow and sit on my shoulder but if they got spooked-upstairs neighbors, or tv they would pee. and they did always poo on me for the first 3 months. they gradually stopped this all together and now never poos and pees on me or the couch. I think it has to do with their age, their temperament, how excited they are and how scared they are. This is just a normal function and really has nothing to do with being bad like a dog. If I put something they are familiar with, like their sandbath which they love to poo in they will go in there in the playpen or on the tarp on the floor.
Their pee and poo really never bothered me. I would just wear a shirt I didn't care about and then just washed up the pee. the poo I just picked off me and thew it away. It is so not smelly.
After talking to them and handling them and them getting so used to our house, they don't pee or poo at all.
Now my new girl Fiona is still sorta scared when I pick her up so she does pee, but it doesn't smell and I know it will go away. Sorry this is kinda long...just wanted to share my experience so I can help.
It would help to know the particular situations they are in when this happens. The age, the environment, how long you have had them to really help.
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jan
member
Posts: 12
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Post by jan on Apr 18, 2014 8:23:23 GMT -8
The girl we are having problems with we've had for over a year, she was about 4 months old when we got her. She is the dominant out of the pair. We usually have her and her tankmate out at the same time. She is very tame and friendly. Is she doing it because she's excited to be out of the tank, or to mark territory?
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Post by Bailey on Apr 18, 2014 13:51:50 GMT -8
I once had a tame female who simply wanted to mark everything with a bit of pee when out for playtime. I don't think there's a way to discourage that. They aren't going to make the connection that when they pee/poop, they put back into their tank immediately. My current male used to do the same, but he stopped by four or five months old and mostly does his business in his tank now. Just depends on the gerbil, I think.
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