Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on May 25, 2021 18:04:56 GMT -8
When should I start trying to hold them?
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on May 25, 2021 18:13:10 GMT -8
Also, do you guys think they will get any more tame? I know I can't force these things but that are so scared and skittish
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Post by LilyandDaisy on May 25, 2021 18:37:57 GMT -8
Mochi Don't be discouraged! I think they will get more tame. It's still quite early days and taming is a long term process with gerbils. When they're young they can be quite wild but they calm down as they get older. Your description of the taming session earlier actually sounds quite positive despite them being startled (as betty said, normal gerbil behaviour) and one falling (gerbils are forgiving, they'll forget that soon). They were comfortable climbing up you and sniffing your chin, which is a good sign! When you're with them in the bathtub, try keeping your hands flat and very still, and hopefully eventually they'll feel comfortable coming over to investigate them. Don't react at all when they do, so they learn that hands aren't scary. I remember about two years ago wondering if my gerbils were ever going to be handleable, and now those gerbils are very calm and friendly, and they love to come up to my hand to see if I have anything for them. They'll tolerate being picked up and stroked as well. They were just very wild as pups! Daisy was particularly timid back then but she's now the most docile and even-tempered of the pair.
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Post by PipSqueak on May 25, 2021 19:04:58 GMT -8
Try not to tense up or anything like that. I always think that they can tell so try to just relax when they climb on your hand. They will get used to you over time. If you put your hand into their enclosure give them a treat or something rewarding so they associate your hand with good things and then they will start to know that you will not harm them. They are so small and when a big hand is coming to them they get scared but they will learn over time.
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on May 26, 2021 7:31:20 GMT -8
Lilyanddaisy, that is SO encouraging to hear!!! So would it be good to do another bathtime session tomorrow? Also, when should I start trying to pick them up? Will there be signs I should look for to see if their ready?
This forum is so good and helpful! Thanks y'all!
-Mochi
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Post by LilyandDaisy on May 26, 2021 8:40:41 GMT -8
Yes, another bathtime session tomorrow would be good. I wouldn't rush to try to pick them up. Wait until they seem very comfortable and confident about your still hands in the bath and then perhaps you can try moving your hands near them, then touching their backs, then picking them up. Try not to rush the process as that will scare the gerbils and set you back.
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on May 26, 2021 10:50:07 GMT -8
Sounds great! Would every other day playtime be good? Or too much? And I am doing 20 min per playtime
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on May 26, 2021 18:37:15 GMT -8
Tonight I walked in to my room and the gerbils were both standing up with their heads touching and it looked like they were trying to shove each other down. I have heard awful stories on this forum about gerbils declanning. Please please PLEASE tell me that’s not what’s going on here. They are so cute together!!!
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Post by yeti218 on May 26, 2021 19:27:15 GMT -8
If that’s all you’ve seen, it’s really not enough to suspect a declan.
Many gerbils do squabble at times without ever escalating into a declan.
Watch for excessive shoving, excessive chasing, scent marking each other, sleeping apart. Don’t panic if you see the odd chase or disagreement, just keep an eye on them and try to figure out what their normal is so you can be aware if anything intensifies.
My guys are pretty stable it seems, and they do have the odd moment where they square off like they’re going to box, or have a little chase. They get over it quickly and just go about their business.
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Post by PipSqueak on May 27, 2021 5:00:40 GMT -8
Just like Yeti said, one little thing isn’t enough to think that they are going to de clan. I have 2 gerbils that I think are brothers and they are very stable together but sometimes they do try to grab each others food and sometimes get into a mini fight about it. Sometimes this is just what gerbils do.
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on May 27, 2021 5:34:44 GMT -8
Ok good to know! I can’t tell if they sleep together or not because they are always in their bedding!
On a different note, is it possible that I’m making backwards progress with the gerbils? S’more and Doodle (Snickerdoodle) won’t eat out of my hand anymore! They used to grab food from my hand then run to their house to eat it but now they won’t..... I usually let them have a couple bites from my hand then I scatter the rest. Is the bathtub making them more afraid of me or am I doing something wrong?
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Post by yeti218 on May 27, 2021 5:59:46 GMT -8
Taming or training animals often isn’t linear. Some days they’ll be more tame and the next day they won’t be so interested in you. Just keep working at it.
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on May 27, 2021 14:10:34 GMT -8
Well, I did playtime gain today and at first it was going extremely well!! They were climbing all over my and even sitting on my hands for small amounts of time. So I had cut a small piece of banana and put in on the ground for their treat but they didn’t seem to interested. Then out of nowhere Doodle bit the tip of my finger and drew blood!! I washed my hand and got back in and at first I thought she just bit because I had banana smell on my finger. But when I got back in she started nipping my arm. I just got out at that point I didn’t want to accidentally hurt her if she bit me again. S’more had a good time though, she is so fearless at playtime. She came and sat on my shoulder for at least 30 sec! Also why do my gerbils sniff each others butts like dogs?
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Post by Markpd on May 28, 2021 10:00:37 GMT -8
Lol, my gerbils do that too, I'm pretty sure that's normal . Sorry to hear Doodle bit you though , and their were no warning nips before she drew blood?
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