The dont like me =(?

[Apollo]

Hey guys,

Well I bought my 2 degu boys last Septemeber
they where so curious and friendly until about 3 months ago
they are out to get me I sware, they dont like me anymore
at all, well atleast one of them, the other one just squeeks
really loud when I pet him gently, the other one trys to grab
be and bit me, He's made my bf bleed numorous amounts
of times, what should I do? I want my guys to like me!

[tarita2004]

have you changed perfume? scent of any sort?? if you did they could think YOU are a stranger.

Did anything in the environment change? new pets? new ANYTHING???

[Apollo]

Hmm.. there has been alot of change, but it happend 3-4 months ago, nothing has really changed in the past month, and its only ever me and my bf that feed them, change their cage, and try and play with them...

Is there anything I can do?

[Sasami]

When you let them out to play do you pick them up or let them come out on their own? Have you tried bribing them with treats?

Welcome to PT, by the way .

[Apollo]

Thanks


I try to pick them up and also let them come to me, but they
hardly do.. =(
One of them comes to treats but he takes it and runs away
And the other just trys to bite

[mebri123]

do you think your boyfriend torments them when your not looking
they seem to have mistrust... Maybe theres a reason... maybe they aren't getting enought attention... when they gave me my goos at the pet store they told me they bite.... Not once have they ever bitten me? but I gave them time before I just went picking them up... We touch them and talk to them and give them treats everyday.... there are lots of kids at my house so my animals are paid attention to alot alot..... I dont know what else could be wrong..

[tarita2004]

I mostly believe that you just have to establish trust, perhaps they lost it a little w/the move and such excitement? I would just spend LOTS of time working with them and showing them you love them

[Apollo]

no no no they pretty much are my bf's
he loves them to death! We try and "play"
with them everyday, but the one seriously just doesnt like us

[Amethystbelle]

I would start from scratch with them as it sounds like they have lost any trust they had for you and you need to re-establish this trust before they will let you in again. Its important you don't try and rush your relationship with them as unlike with other rodents they tend to base their relationship with you on trust and unless they trust you they won't let you do anything to them.

I would cease all handling from now on i know it sounds harsh but you need to teach these two guys to trust you again. Its ok to go and feed them, change bedding etc but don't try and pick them up or stroke them just for the time being.

Next set aside 10-20 minutes a day to work with them. Start by sitting (always do it at their level as we must look huge to them so by sitting next to them it helps them settle more) and talking gently to them, do this for a few days and at the end of each session give them a lovely treat so they see the time you spend with them as rewarding and will want to spend the time with you. After a few days progress to sitting there and having the palm of your hand in their cage so they can sniff you and they maybe even will have a nibble (this is usually a greeting and a sign of saying hello) and get used to you being a little closer, again reward. When they are ready they will take it a step further by climbing onto your hands and even maybe out of the cage but they will do this in their own time and when they are beginning to trust you and see the time you spend together as fun.

The more you work with them the more you will get out of your relationship with them. Remember to always reward them with a treat as this creates a positive emotional response and will make them want to come back for more

[mebri123]

i agree start over with getting to know him he will get better.... My males are less trusting then the females but... they are not biters they just run away more often