Skittish Chin

Peanut'sMom · Oct 18, 2012

I am a new chin mom and when I meet my baby Peanut who is about 5 months old he was so calm and he would sit on my shoulder. We brought him home on October 8th so it has been a short time. I am trying to show him all the attention I can so he is not lonely because he was with 3 other chins at his old home. I let him come out when he would get on my hands and took him in the bathroom first which seems to scare him so I have had him out in my bedroom first on the bed and now he runs around on the floor. I have a hard time when I catch him to put him back in the cage he is so jumpy and skittish. Last night he was sitting on his shelf so I decided to try and get him out and he kind of freaked out. I put him back in the cage and he was fine. He hangs on the front of the cage like he wants to come out but then when I go to his cage he hides behind his house sometimes like he is playing. He seems to want me to sit with him but not take him out of the cage?? Is this normal and how do I work with him on this?

Shooper · Oct 18, 2012

I think any chin will most likely be on the skittish side when they are in a new place. Time is the best answer I can give you. I have a boy that loves attention while in his cage (Smokey) but he freaks when I catch him. All of my boys put up a little chase after playtime when it's time to go back...I think that is normal!

Peanut'sMom · Oct 18, 2012

Shooper thank you! How do you get your boys out of the cage? I just don't want to scare or hurt my little guy. I have Peanut's cage out in the living room and there are too many hazards in that area to let him out there so I have been taking him into our bedroom to let him run and play. He wasn't out of the cage yesterday because I didn't want to grab him and he didn't climb on my hands.

kellylynnmarie · Oct 18, 2012

It's typically best to let them come out to you. Don't reach in and grab. My boys now both jump into my lap, put their paws in the air and I know they're ready to play.