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Bonding
Dec 18, 2004 11:17:14 GMT -8
Post by paws on Dec 18, 2004 11:17:14 GMT -8
I want to bond withmy gerbils nbetter, the pup loves licking yoghurt off my finger, is this a good way to bond?
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Bonding
Dec 18, 2004 11:39:41 GMT -8
Post by Ritzie/Admin on Dec 18, 2004 11:39:41 GMT -8
Yes, a very good way! Especially when you start when they are pups! If you continue this, you can get very tame gerbils!
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Bonding
Dec 18, 2004 12:31:19 GMT -8
Post by paws on Dec 18, 2004 12:31:19 GMT -8
;D good ! He licks it and it feels like a little dog lapping my hand!
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Bonding
Dec 18, 2004 20:33:47 GMT -8
Post by pooky on Dec 18, 2004 20:33:47 GMT -8
i got my gerbils when they were pretty old so they were very hard to bond with. but i spent alot of time doing things with and they now come running up to my hand when ever i put it into there cage. some things i did with them were lying in a bath tub with them (empty of corse ;D ), holding them alot but not to often, talking to them (for some reason i find it weird when other people talk to there pets, but not when i do ), reading childrens books to them (i dont know if they can hear me, but the continuous drone of my voice seems to calm them down. does doing this certify me as insane?) and giveing them treats off my hand. just a couple of ideas.
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Bonding
Dec 19, 2004 0:24:11 GMT -8
Post by paws on Dec 19, 2004 0:24:11 GMT -8
I read books to my dog. Don't worry, you're not insane! ;D I talk to them too.They are so cute!
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Bonding
Dec 19, 2004 19:57:29 GMT -8
Post by pooky on Dec 19, 2004 19:57:29 GMT -8
glad im not the only one but some gerbils do seem to find the voice of a human comforting i think its cool.
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Bonding
Dec 19, 2004 21:08:04 GMT -8
Post by sweetie on Dec 19, 2004 21:08:04 GMT -8
It is not crazy to read to them!! I have actually read studies in which people leave the radio on or talk to thier plants and they are healthier.
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Bonding
Dec 19, 2004 23:47:25 GMT -8
Post by paws on Dec 19, 2004 23:47:25 GMT -8
I had a pointsetta once and I talked to it everyday! It stayed alive for a long time.
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cinnycinnamon
Member
Rest In Peace Jack Black 02/17/06 to 05/30/09
Posts: 1,280
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Bonding
Dec 20, 2004 13:25:41 GMT -8
Post by cinnycinnamon on Dec 20, 2004 13:25:41 GMT -8
Oh I talk to all my four legged friends like they are children-including my gerbils. Some people think I'm crazy for talking that way to my cats and gerbs, but I don't care what they think. I can get my cats to do whatever I ask of them and they listen. And I am one of those people who leave the radio on for my "kids" so they won't be alone in silence. I think they actually like it, too.
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Bonding
Dec 21, 2004 15:39:00 GMT -8
Post by lydia on Dec 21, 2004 15:39:00 GMT -8
(i dont know if they can hear me, but the continuous drone of my voice seems to calm them down. does doing this certify me as insane?) ;D Yes,definitely insane ;D You are in very good company though,as it seems everyone on this forum also talks to their pets,so we are all insane ;D. I have a blind mouse,she if fine with me,bites my son,the dogs etc.even if I pick her up from behind,she doesn't bite me.She knows my voice,my smell, vibrations I make when I move etc. Talking to gerbils,or any pet is good,so is sitting very still,and just watching them.You learn to read their body language,know their personal routines etc. Another tip you could try,to help with bonding,the tissues you are going to give your gerbil at night,to rip up for bedding.Put them inside your sleeve,for the day,they will then smell of you,so when your gerb is ripping them up,and snuggles down to sleep,it will be smelling your scent.It also goes down well with your mum,when you or a younger sibling need a tissue,you've always got some on you . Another tip,if your gerb is a singleton,put it inside your tee-shirt or jumper,and let it scamper around.It does tickle a bit,and you do need to be aware if it starts chewing your clothes,'cos this will annoy your mum . Make sure you have some suitable food with you,for it to snack on if necasary. Keep the same routine,as much as possible,same time each day for feeding,playing,petting etc.You gerbil's confidence will grow,when it knows what to expect and when. Also,when you feed,we all know that gerb's eat the yummy stuff first.So whenever you are feeding/replacing food,pick out a piece of it's favourite food,and offer it to your gerbil,before putting the remaining food into it's cage.It will quickly be eagerly waiting for you,at the right time. Lyd
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Bonding
Dec 24, 2004 16:23:18 GMT -8
Post by pooky on Dec 24, 2004 16:23:18 GMT -8
great ideas Lydia! i gotta try some of those some time. actually, when i lay down in the bathtub with them, taco would crawl up the sleve of my shirt and lie right inside my shirt, at the back of my neck, and go to sleep! it was really nice, and when they start to do something like that, you know that they like you, and have bonded with you.
merry christmas!
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Bonding
Dec 27, 2004 5:23:42 GMT -8
Post by gracie on Dec 27, 2004 5:23:42 GMT -8
good luck!
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Bonding
Dec 30, 2004 8:25:01 GMT -8
Post by bettybob on Dec 30, 2004 8:25:01 GMT -8
i talk to my cats..and i think it makes them more vocal. they talk back!
i have found that just sticking my hand in my gerbils tank several times a day and letting them run around on me has made them more tame. when i first got them they never just climbed up on me on their own, now as soon as i put a hand out they hop on. ;D
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Bonding
Jan 2, 2005 15:53:52 GMT -8
Post by paws on Jan 2, 2005 15:53:52 GMT -8
Another tip,if your gerb is a singleton,put it inside your tee-shirt or jumper,and let it scamper around.It does tickle a bit,and you do need to be aware if it starts chewing your clothes,'cos this will annoy your mum They chewed a new shirt! silly things! ;D
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Bonding
Jan 3, 2005 21:02:53 GMT -8
Post by moghedien on Jan 3, 2005 21:02:53 GMT -8
The method that's worked fairly well for me so far is grabbing a handful of gerbil food and sticking my hand in the tank with the food on it. It takes a while to get the gerbies tame that way, but it seems to teach them not to fear your hand, and it's fairly non-threatening. Once they're brave enough to jump on your hand and/or run up your arm, they're tame enought to start handling. ;D The only difficult bit is when they're not very tame and are curious as to whether your hand is food too.
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