Kate
Member
Posts: 65
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Post by Kate on Jul 31, 2019 14:03:03 GMT -8
I have had a Gerbil for about half a year that I have desperately tried to tame. It seemed as if he would never be tame. While I was at a pet shop looking for new toys and getting, I saw a single gerbil in their display. When I asked about him, they said that he was up for adoption because he was cage aggressive. About a month later I went back to get him. Also, I couldn't get him a buddy because I didn't have a plan B if they wouldn't bond. Now, I know that pet shops aren't the greatest option for getting gerbils, but I don't think anyone else would buy him and their are no breeders in my area. Anyway, what I have been doing is putting food into my hand and slowly he has grown more used to it, but he still wouldn't go fully into my hand and he would bite if I tried to pick him up. Yet today, a day that I will treasure forever, he finally stopped into my hand and allowed me to pick him up. I was just so proud of him!!
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Post by sandybadlands on Aug 1, 2019 7:27:25 GMT -8
Aww! Isn't that the best feeling? I still remember how it felt to pick up my super aggressive gerbil once he finally stopped biting me...rehabilitating him was probably the most rewarding thing I've ever done.
Your guy is very lucky you found him when you did. <3
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Kate
Member
Posts: 65
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Post by Kate on Aug 1, 2019 16:53:51 GMT -8
It is the most rewarding thing in my time as a gerbil mom. My heart almost exploded with pride and joy. When I got him I thought that he would just continue to be aggressive but he is proving me wrong!!
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tuftsnfluff
Member
AGS Ethical Breeder in DFW, TX
Posts: 589
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Post by tuftsnfluff on Aug 6, 2019 5:36:30 GMT -8
Hey there! A great deal of attention CAN help with a lone, aggressive gerbil. Usually when a lone gerbil is biting their owners hard enough to break skin or lunging at the glass or bars when you get close, this is a sign of a gerbil that REALLY is not doing well without a buddy. BUT Gerbils are SMART. And with using gloves, if you are very persistent, patient, and determined to interact with the gerbil many times a day -- this CAN slowly start to show them that no matter what, you are not going to leave them alone to fade into loneliness and mental obscurity. This can indeed have a impact on their behavior. Where you cannot curl up with them, groom them, tousle with them, and be a cage mate, I do really believe some of them understand a loving human owner is better than nothing!
Way to go with your persistence and not giving up on him!
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Kate
Member
Posts: 65
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Post by Kate on Aug 7, 2019 8:42:52 GMT -8
Thanks so much!! I have been very persistent with him and I think that it has really been working. As I said before, this is the most aggressive gerbil I have had and it is so rewarding to see him finally allowing me to pet him and play with him.
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tuftsnfluff
Member
AGS Ethical Breeder in DFW, TX
Posts: 589
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Post by tuftsnfluff on Aug 8, 2019 5:39:06 GMT -8
I would, if at all possible, get him a young same sex buddy if you are able. But if not, then continue doing what you are doing as it is making a difference!
If he's the one in your picture, he's a VERY lovely Argente Golden or Topaz. Does he have a bit of grey poking through at the end of his tail?
Either way, he's nice and robust and overall a very handsome looking boy!
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Kate
Member
Posts: 65
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Post by Kate on Aug 9, 2019 4:17:34 GMT -8
Unfortunately I can not get a buddy for him right now, but I consistently play with him. Thank you for the great advice.
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Kate
Member
Posts: 65
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Post by Kate on Aug 9, 2019 4:26:43 GMT -8
Oh and also my profile photo I just found online, but it looks exactly like him. He is a lovely gerbil. Along with this he is somehow way bigger than my other gerbils. Not in terms of fat, but almost muscle.
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