Mixed signals-spraying urine

[Sierra]

Hi everyone,

I currently have a 1 year old female chin who sprays me with urine. I know it is a defense signal-leave me alone but she sprays me then we I go to leave her alone she comes up to the side of the cage and looks at me and if I stick my hand in there to pet or possibly take her out she sprays me and the same thing happens.

I just don't know what she wants from me. I know that during the day and early mornings she is really ornery and doesn't like to be messed with so I get her out at night when my 2 year old goes to bed and I allow her to run around in our master bath while I sit in there with her. She acts completely normal then and is really happy and jumps all over me.

I don't know if she is mad at me because I'm not getting her out until at night because when I get her out when Hayley is in the bathroom with me, she gets all freaked out and I know that she is scared when Hayley tries to pet her so I don't get her out when I know Hayley will want to hold her.

I have only had my chin for about 3 months now since I bought her from a girl who didn't have time for her due to long work hours around the holidays. I used to have 2 male chins before and a male hedgehog. I have never owned a female before and omg she is definitely a tornado of emotions. I just don't know what she wants from me.

I feel really bad and I buy her a lot of treats and chew toys. Her previous owner gave me the nibble rings and she says that Phoenix doesn't like them but she chews them up whenever I give them to her and she wasn't really a chewer for a while until recently she chews up those colored sticks, the apple twigs, and the knot from Dr. Foster n Smith.

 

[chinclub]

It sounds like she is protective of her cage. I had a female like that who would even spray me after taking a raisin from my hand! It was like "thanks for the treat, now get out!"

 

[Rickman]

I've found if you put on rubber gloves and direct it back at them a couple of times, they usually get the hint! Then put a dust bath in!
Had a pair of rescues that came that way - they left here a pair of sweeties!

 

[Newt]

If you've only had her for three months then she's probably still just getting used to you and settling in.

My Poppy was very defensive when I first brought her home and it took a good half year of pee-showers before she'd accept my hand coming into her cage....she'd come out on her own and jump all over me, but if I put my hand in her cage she'd feel threatened and spray. I used to try to completely ignore it...so she'd learn spraying didnt work as a deterrent.

Your girl will most likely stop after a while....or at least stop doing it quite as much!!

 

[Ash]

Some chins are just sprayers, sadly enough. I have a girl here who sprays every chance she gets... but only at my boyfriend. She will let him pet her, but will also spray him. :wacko: gotta love how their minds work.