When to introduce

[mjh]

For the past month, we've been introducing our two male chins. At first it wasn't going so well, but we took a step back, slowed down the process, and seem to be making more progress. We put them in the bathroom, neutral area, and are quick to remove whichever of them shows any sign of agression/dominance, chasing, teeth chattering, humping, barking. So far this strategy has worked well. The cases of "good" meetings have been more frequent. During their last playtime, I noticed them chewing on each other, definately not biting, no hair loss, no complaining or signs of fear. The one guy that was getting the chew-job seemed to be enjoying it.

My question is when do we try introducing them together in a cage? We are not planning on doing it soon, as we want these "good" meetings to increase and become the norm during playtime. How do we transition for playtime meetings to in-cage meetings? Thanks.

 

[starleomach]

I do intros early in the morning when they are sleepy. if one was grooming the other that is an excellent signs

 

[Carol~Anne]

I too prefer to let them get together during the day when they are the sleepiest and they frolic around for a bit and then they're tired and really want to sleep so they tend to be much more relaxed and even sleep side by side. I keep a close eye on them during the time they're together in the same cage but separate them when they wake up and are frisky. I let them play together again but at night I separate them b/c I am a nervous wreck at nighttime when I'm asleep and worry about them fighting. The next day I let them out together and let them sleep together during the day.

I don't know how long I went through this but long enough so that I felt comfortable with letting them be together in the evenings when they are the most active. I've been known to sleep downstairs in the pullout right next to the chin room for a few nights until I feel comfortable with them being in the same cage.