More questions about Thunder

[Jovi]

Sorry for all the questions everyone. I have never owned a pet that wasn't mine since a baby and i really wanted to help this 7 year old retired breeder out but it is really stressing me out. Hopefully I am just being too anxious but he seems very sad and spends almost all his time in the hidey house. I got him to take a treat from my hand but honestly it's hard to even find a time when he is awake and out and about to interact with him. Would you suggest taking out the hidey house so he can interact more? Or leave it in cause it's providing comfort and he feels safe? Or could he be moping up there and need some interaction? I still talk to him with his head peeking out of the box. My husband opened the top of the cage ( the only way to reach the hidey house) and tried to shoo him out but he literally wouldn't budge. Just sat there and ignored the nudging. According to the breeder he has always been a very very laid back chin. She was surprised he ever successfully mated and thats why he was retired early... just was too laid back with the ladies. So...hidey house or no hidey house for now. He has been here since Sunday. When should i start encouraging him to come out? I wanna show him what a playtime is like and i want to hold him. & years is along time to be bonded with someone else... will it take longer than a baby to bond with me?

 

[Jovi]

Almost forgot my other question. Has anyone used a side by side tiny cage for introductions? The breeder uses it to reintroduce her mating chins and said i could borrow it if i want to. They cant bite thru it but its very little and divided with room for food and water and a toy. She said she keeps them in there until they snuggle up against teach other thru the bars. Should i try this method ( when the time comes of course).

 

[BellaBella]

It can take a while for an older chin to warm up to new people. Since he's laid back, why don't you try placing your arm in the cage and letting him come to you , or if he seems ok with it, when you talk to him with his head poking out of the house, just pet him gently while you talk to him?

He's probably still getting used to his new surroundings, and figuring out the routine around your place. Perhaps coming to visit him specifically at the same time he'll come to anticipate your visit and be ready for you.

 

[addictedtochins]

Oh no don't take his house out ever. I really would just leave him alone for a few days, he is sad and there's nothing you can do about it. Just talk to him. He'll get better but it could take weeks.

 

[Jovi]

I think I will try moving the house to a more accessible spot then so i can put my hand and arm closer to him.

 

[Spoof]

If you poke them and they don't move it is a fear reaction. Likely he isn't "laid back" but scared stiff.... literally.

I've gotten a couple of these from breeders. Just leave him alone, it'll take several months for him to get used to you and your routine and not freeze stiff.

I introduce them to a good smelling treat. Stick it in the house with them at the same time every day. Just stick it in and leave, usually takes at least a week if not a couple months - got one that took four, she's still a little goosy. When you go to stick the treat in and notice movement, it's time to stick it on your hand and wait it out. The tough ones will hold out for a long time, so be patient. Eventually they'll get used to hands=treats, and seem to come out very fast after that.

Good luck!

 

[Jovi]

He already will take a treat from my hand... so hopefully thats a good sign. He was so sweet at the breeders and let us hold him without being scared at all. Just sad to see him like this. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Carol~Anne]

I'd just let him do his own thing b/c you've only had him for four days. I mentioned earlier that my oldest boy who is the "retired breeder" was a total snob and wanted nothing to do with me at all for at least a month so I let him be.

I did continue to have daily contact with him, talked to him, filled up his food dish and pellets and offered him a little oats and he took them. I'd open up his cage door each night and let him come out when he felt like it and he had a good roll in the dust and then he'd zoom back into his cage.

I've had him since October and he's really warmed up to me. It just takes time and patience that's all. He'll come around, especially if you keep daily contact with him.

I might have missed it, but do we have pics of Thunder?