On Mon, 27 November 2000, Christina Mearns wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> My gerbils often nip me when I pick them up. I have to say that they are
> doing it a lot less now, but I was wondering if this was normal?
>
> I always make sure that I don't have any interesting food smells on my hands
> before I handle them, and it doesn't hurt when they nip.
>
> They are 2 females, 9 weeks old.
>
> Thanks,
> Christina
>
They probably just don't understand that they can't use their teeth on you like they
do their other toys! They need some training. Try blowing in their faces when they
do this, they don't like it and will associate chewing on you with experiencing
something unpleasant. If you say a sharp "NO!" at the same time they may also
associate that with unpleasantness. Most of mine will respond to my tone of voice
now, but of course it depends on just how curious they are about what I don't want
them getting into! :) I talk to them constantly, when they hear my normal tone of
voice they know everything's ok.
Another thing I do with discipline problems is vary their play time according to how
they are behaving. If at all possible I let them run around on me until they decide
they are done, as long as they're behaving themselves. If they misbehave they go
straight back into their tank and no more playtime for the rest of the evening! I
finally got Snowy straightened out this way, he was the orneriest thing in the world
... not that he's not still ornery occasionally, but at least I don't have him trying
to get to the floor (forbidden!) every night now.
Some people give them treats for good behavior but I've found that, with mine anyway,
being allowed to play more is a better incentive. They're just not that motivated by
food, most of them, not even their favorite treats!
Tana and The Little Rascals
http:\\gerbils.freehosting.net
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