ArJayTrav
Member
So, I personally am a new chin owner, but my roommates have had their two chins for about a year now. So I'm not entirely unfamiliar with them, and have done quite a bit of research on proper handling and care. All to make sure that nothing bad happened to their pets, as I have grown quite fond of them. Needless to say, I felt a little guilty monopolizing the time with their chins, and took the step to get one of my own. The big difference between mine and theirs is that their chins are from a pet store and my chin was purchased from a breeder (whom we found locally after they got theirs from Petsmart. Which was a blessing to be able to get a lot of the proper food/supplies locally as opposed to ordering everything online.) Due to this difference, theirs were a bit older at the time of purchase than mine.
Mine is now 9 weeks old, and I've had her for a week. I've kept her isolated from the other chins, she's got a nice isolated spot in the house all to herself. I've left her to acclimate to her new environment and settle in. All SEEMS to be going well except I seem to be having the opposite of what I've seen a lot of others post about.
The situation is this: She has her little hiding spots picked out, which is great, but she doesn't ever seem to leave them. UNLESS I rest my hand in the cage. As soon as I open the door and place my hand on the cage floor, she pops out and starts exploring all happy-go-lucky. As soon as I take my hand out and close the door, she's back in her hiding spot. She'll dart out to get some food, then take it back to her spot, but if my hand is in there, she'll sit at the bowl and eat.
To me this sounds like a good thing, but I haven't found much info describing this behavior (to be fair I only searched for an afternoon or so). I was wondering if it is ok for me to keep supporting this habit, or if I should start to back off from the "personal" time a bit to let her become a bit more independent? Or is this just a good start to a long relationship?
BTW: she is a little silver mosaic named Kiki. She does look like she may have had her ears chewed on a bit by the other's from her kit. Which might explain the timid attitude a bit.
Mine is now 9 weeks old, and I've had her for a week. I've kept her isolated from the other chins, she's got a nice isolated spot in the house all to herself. I've left her to acclimate to her new environment and settle in. All SEEMS to be going well except I seem to be having the opposite of what I've seen a lot of others post about.
The situation is this: She has her little hiding spots picked out, which is great, but she doesn't ever seem to leave them. UNLESS I rest my hand in the cage. As soon as I open the door and place my hand on the cage floor, she pops out and starts exploring all happy-go-lucky. As soon as I take my hand out and close the door, she's back in her hiding spot. She'll dart out to get some food, then take it back to her spot, but if my hand is in there, she'll sit at the bowl and eat.
To me this sounds like a good thing, but I haven't found much info describing this behavior (to be fair I only searched for an afternoon or so). I was wondering if it is ok for me to keep supporting this habit, or if I should start to back off from the "personal" time a bit to let her become a bit more independent? Or is this just a good start to a long relationship?
BTW: she is a little silver mosaic named Kiki. She does look like she may have had her ears chewed on a bit by the other's from her kit. Which might explain the timid attitude a bit.
Since you said you researched then you already know chins need attention everyday. Ideally you don't want a completely independent chin, I'm sure you want one that enjoys company, she is still young and new to the surroundings she will gain independence on her own as she grows up with you there to help support her. She needs you right now to let her know she is safe, unless you start scaring her then of course back off and slow down, but is sounds like you are off to a good start. :thumbsup:
