Post by KatnissUna on Sept 14, 2022 16:29:11 GMT -8
Hello! I am looking for advice on a new gerbil I just purchased! I named him Timothy (Timmy for short, got his name from timothy hay lol)
When I walked in the pet store, I didn't think I would walk out with anything. I was going to look at the betta fish for fun, see what colors they have and whatever, and I decided to see if they still had a gerbil there that I saw a few weeks ago. Sure enough, they did. They had a sign on his aquarium stating "his name is Dracula, he lives up to his name, ask a worker for more information" or something like that. So I instantly knew he was a biter. I then decided in a heartbeat to adopt him. They had us fill out adoption papers and whatever and charged us a penny. On the receipt, it says "damaged".
I have 3 gerbils I have had for almost 2 years, and I have done a lot of research here and there. I have ideas what to do to train Timmy not to bite, such as let him settle in his new home for several days to weeks, whatever it takes him to get adjusted. I know from experience that most gerbils bite when they are scared. This is obviously the reason in Timmy's case. He was terrified at the pet store. I can see why! The worker who helped us adopt him and whatever, literally to show us what he does, she put her hand in the tank in a provoking way, as if to try to make him mad. Timmy of course ran at her hand and tried to nip her.
They said they had a vet check him out, and there is nothing wrong with him, he is very healthy. He's just scared, and being scared would obviously make him act out, or be jumpy and whatnot.
I know a lot of this is basically story, but I thought it might help you to figure out his situation a bit better; sorry for all the reading :/
What should I do exactly? I for now have him in a tank by himself (he was in the tank at the pet store alone), with a box and food and water and whatnot, but how long before I should start like training him, I guess is the word? My goal is to make him more friendly, so that others can hold him. I plan to give him a new home someday, but I may get too attached, but oh well might just have to keep him. I am not sure how to word my question specifically, but how can I train his bad behavior out of him?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
When I walked in the pet store, I didn't think I would walk out with anything. I was going to look at the betta fish for fun, see what colors they have and whatever, and I decided to see if they still had a gerbil there that I saw a few weeks ago. Sure enough, they did. They had a sign on his aquarium stating "his name is Dracula, he lives up to his name, ask a worker for more information" or something like that. So I instantly knew he was a biter. I then decided in a heartbeat to adopt him. They had us fill out adoption papers and whatever and charged us a penny. On the receipt, it says "damaged".
I have 3 gerbils I have had for almost 2 years, and I have done a lot of research here and there. I have ideas what to do to train Timmy not to bite, such as let him settle in his new home for several days to weeks, whatever it takes him to get adjusted. I know from experience that most gerbils bite when they are scared. This is obviously the reason in Timmy's case. He was terrified at the pet store. I can see why! The worker who helped us adopt him and whatever, literally to show us what he does, she put her hand in the tank in a provoking way, as if to try to make him mad. Timmy of course ran at her hand and tried to nip her.
They said they had a vet check him out, and there is nothing wrong with him, he is very healthy. He's just scared, and being scared would obviously make him act out, or be jumpy and whatnot.
I know a lot of this is basically story, but I thought it might help you to figure out his situation a bit better; sorry for all the reading :/
What should I do exactly? I for now have him in a tank by himself (he was in the tank at the pet store alone), with a box and food and water and whatnot, but how long before I should start like training him, I guess is the word? My goal is to make him more friendly, so that others can hold him. I plan to give him a new home someday, but I may get too attached, but oh well might just have to keep him. I am not sure how to word my question specifically, but how can I train his bad behavior out of him?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
), late 70s
Good luck.