Need ideas for taming nervous gerbil

[pixytwinkle]

My female gerbil Molly has always been a little nervous. I cant pick her up unless i have sunflower seed in my hand and smetimes then she will just run away.
My male gerbil misty is becoming very tame and i havent had him long and i thought this might calm molly down and make her understand that i wont hurt her but it hasnt worked. She will take sunflower seed from my hand but she wont let me stroke her all the time as sometimes she just runs away. She doest bite an never has. i let her out about twice a week and she has started climbing on my knee which she has never done before but i have had her for about 5-6 months now and shes still nervous.
Does anyone know why this might be and what i can do to help her trust me because i really dont want her to be afraid of me.
Thanx
pixytwinkle

[sweetie]

Hey Pixy,

Some gerbilsare just more nervous than others. Like every human is different, so every gerbils is different. I have 8 gerbils and one no matter what I do, is still skittish.

1) Recognize that she may never be as tame as you prefer. Every gerbils has their own level of comfort.
2) Allow her to be who she is and not try to push tameness onto her. Many times, by trying too hard, you can have the opposite affect.
3) Start all over again!!
4) A couple of times a day, try going over to the cage and JUST talk to her. That will get her used to your voice and let her know every time you come over, you are not going to stick your hand in the cage. Do this for a week.
5) Work up to every morning talking to her then giving her a treat try this for a week.
6) Becareful not to stick your arm in the cage everytime you go over to the cage. Then she won't associate the sight of you to tension of you *invading* the cage. The more times you go over, talk softly, and freindly with out putiing your hand in the cage, the clamer she wil get. If the only time you go over to the cage, you also put your hand in, then she will associate your sight with tension.
7) When you let her out, try sitting in the bath tub. This may cause stress but it won't allow her to avoid you either. At first, sit bunched up so she has most of the room then try sliding your legs down toward the end. Don't forget a lot of treats during this.

I hope this helps. Let me know!!

[pixytwinkle]

ok i will try this thank. I know she may never be really tame but i would like to e able to pick her up in case i have to move her one day quickly for some reason and that could be a problem at the minute but im sure your ideas will help thanx. ;D

[sweetie]

So how is it going? What have you tried? What was her response?

Additionally, I have purchased a fish net for that same reason. When I need to pick them up quickly and I don't want to scare them or associate my smell with it, I use the fish net. Be very careful not to trap the tail with the wire outer edge.

[simcoe]

Fish net? What a good idea! My gerbs are also very timid. They'll hang out and have a snack in our palms if we've got treats, but unless we offer up the goods we get just a cursory inspection and off they go. They've only lived with us since September, we're still hoping they'll warm up to us.

So far I've been using a Big Gulp cup when I need to transport them. I lower it into the tank and it's irresistible, they simply have to crawl in and check it out.

*edit: Of course, right after I typed that I was giving Bucky a treat in her tank and she scampered right up my arm and nearly made a break for freedom! I was so shocked, she made it all the way to my shoulder before I could get a grip on her and plop her back into the tank. (Boy, in this rickety old cabin she would have been gone for good.)

[pixytwinkle]

well its been going ok i have been talking to her alot but i have to put my hand in the cage i just cant resist however i only lay it on the floor and leave it there for about 10 minutes and eventually she come and sits on it. I dont move it though when she sits on it. When i just put my hand in to change food etc she does come running up to greet me now which is really sweet. i dont really mind if she isnt really tame as long as i can pick her up. The other day she actaully let me stroke her for the first time. I was so happy. Whenever i go into the room and say hello to her she comes up to the side and sits staring at me . Do you think any of this is progress? I am getting one of those things that gerbils can run around in out of there cage this weekend. Do you think it will make her tamer if i sit in it with her once a week. When i sit with her when i let her run around in the spare room she climbs on me so will this make her tamer?
Thanx
pixytwinkle

[paws]

maybe every day of the holidays do it. she may not rememebr once a week. I mean she will remember, but it will be kind of dim, becuase everything for gerbils is about x 20! ;D I did the math. So like you it would be like 20 weeks ago.

[sweetie]

I think it is progress. How do you feel about it? I agree that once a week might not be enough. You may need to do it more. Keep in mind that they are not lap animals. They come sniff and run. They will not stay in one place long. It has nothing to do with being tame, it is just how they are. It is definitely a sign of progress if she comes to the cage when she sees or hears you.

[pixytwinkle]

Well i havent been able to let them out this week yet as i have been busy buying late xmas pressies I got them a tank yesterday instead of there old cage and they have loads more room. I will be letting them out the day after christmas and i will try to let them out everyday during the holiday. Is it best to let her come out of the tank with my other gerbil or alone. if eventually she does allow me to pick her up properlywhat would be the best way to make her feel comfortable? She is still doing well i have beentalking to her alot and when i first say her name sands on her back legs and looks around. Yesterday when i had to put them in there new tank i had alot of trouble getting her out of the cage but after about 20 minutes she climbed into my hand and let me caryy her i was really pleased. is it a good idea to reward this kind of behaviour with a sunflower seed?
thanx
pixytwinkle

[doomgerbiluk]

It sounds like your making great progress!!!
Just carry on as you are. and of course you can reward her for cooperating...it wil make her feel happier and more comfortable.
As for how to handle her, learn to read her. Ears flat means nervous or annoyed, ears up is downright nosy. She'll tell you what she likes and what she doesn't

[pixytwinkle]

ok thanx i really appreciate the advice. Having the new tank is makes it alot more easier as there is more room. I have started to reward her and she seems to be doing fine. I will keep you all updated
thanx
pixytwinkle

[sweetie]

Hey Pixy,

I am glad that you are feeling better about the progress. I have one gerbil (Blackie) who doesn't like to be picked up out of the tank. I use a paper towel tube or a fish net. That way she does not associate my smell with being transferred and all the anxiety it apparently causes her.

Great job. Keep up the good work and keep us posted.