First time owner, getting them settled..

[Dsmith86]

Hi All,

So next week i'll be bringing home two gorgeous males, one pink white one very dark ebony. I've been lurking around this place the past few months in anticipation, soaking up as much knowledge as I can.

They'll both be 3 months old, I just have a few questions I'm hoping someone can answer.

1. Should I leave them in their cage with minimal attention for a short while, just to get settled? Or is play time ok from the get-go.

2. As they're young, how much play time should they be getting per day / week? And for how long?

3. If they're to be left in their cage to get used to surroundings, should dust baths be given in the cage during this period? If so, how many dust baths per week is suitable for young chins?

4. Lastly, we have a puppy which we've had only 2 weeks. I'm guessing keep them separated, but i've seen a read of stories and watched some vids depcting dogs getting along with chins or at least apathetic with them. They're all very young, so would it be ok to get them used to each other fairly quickly so they can adjust faster growing up?

I think that about covers it, I'm really excited but just nervous that I'll get something horribly wrong in the first few weeks which could lead to problems down the line!

 

[tunes]

1. Decide that once you get them home. Different chins have different personalities. If they seem to be okay with being handled and being out for playtime, then let them.

2. At 3 months, I wouldn't let them out for heaps of time. Maybe half an hour every couple days. Some people will disagree with that, but when you let a chin out it's usually full out spazz attacks. They burn a ton of calories they should be using for growing.

3. If you are in a really humid area you could dust three times a week. If you're not, two times is usually plenty. You can do it right in the cage, I always do.

4. Actually, with the puppy being young, I would be even more hesitant to let them together. Puppies, much like young chins, are spazztastic. It would take one paw slamming down on a chin spine to destroy it. I am a firm believer in keeping species separate. Caged animals at my house hang out with their own species only. I did have dogs that would just lay there when a chin ran over them, but it was never an intentional interaction. It happened if a chin staged a cage break and took off running. Chins are small and their bone structure delicate. Even the gentlest dog gets excited when the doorbell rings and could easily stomp on or roll over a chin and not even know it.

 

[Dsmith86]

Thanks for the advice, very helpful!