Most inks in news print are soy/vegetable based and are quite safe.
You can check with your local papers, they will tell you what the ink is made from.
I just find the printed stuff, if they are walking right on it when wet/peed on, leaves tracks all over the wood shelves.
If it's under the wire, no worries at all. Even a little he may get a hold of from below shouldn't, but do check and see what's being used in your area for inks/dyes.
I buy end rolls from our paper for about $4.00. Not only do I get loads of unprinted news print, I get a great tube when it's all gone.
Voice commands work so much better in a small herd.
When I call a name and say NO, they stop dead in their tracks.They may go right back to the bad deed though, and I have to fix it so they can't.
Like I have this one that tries with all his might to get up to the treat dish. I swear he knows it by sight.I call "Chichi NO", and he'll stop for a second, but if I don't block his route he's right back at it.
I have several that try to fight with a couple of low cages, they can't but the ones in the cages end up bouncing off the cage walls wanting to get into it with the ones on the outside.
I'll shout their name from the other end of the room and stomp my foot on the floor.The culprit will dart under the cage, and wait for me to turn my back when he's right back chastising the one still in the cage again. I end up placing something in front of the cage, just to keep everyone calm.
It's become somewhat of a routine, but there is no doubt mine know " NO" where ever they are.
Marissa, a br V female stopped this after I started catching her in the act and would put her right back in her cage. Even if she just got out. Now she hardly bothers with the lower cages. She wants out more.
On the biting we all seem to feel the same.
You and they will learn what each nip means, and to tell them from grooming nibbles.
Just like kits learn from Mom when it's to hard, you can teach them.
All I do is respond to each case. If it's a nice grooming nibble, we take turns. I'll scratch them for a few seconds, then they'll groom me.
If it's a little too hard I say ouch, pull away, and then put my hand back so they can learn too nibble nicely.
If they bit and bring blood they get scolded and put back in the cage. If they are in the cage when they do it I scold, then ignore them for a spell.
The I go back to talking sweetly and try putting my hand in the cage again.
It really doesn't take them that long to learn, and it's so much easier when you have just a few chins. Like under 30
I've been keeping track of how long it takes them to learn up, and for the first time am training newborns.
Well these last 2 kits are just under a month. I have always put them in a small cage while the parents get their run, and I clean the cage. When I'm putting them back, they have to come out on my hands, I sit them on the stool with my arms around it, and open the flap door. Saying up, up, I'd put them back in the cage. Now they will climb to my forearm and up in to the cage by themselves. So it took them 3 weeks to learn this routine.
I want them to learn this before they get to their now homes, I think it will be so much easier for the new owners. It does take time for them to trust, so if I can get them used to these things before I sell them, I think it will a little less stressful for us all.
I couldn't possible do this if I had any more chins then I have now.
Oh I have to tell you this one.
Jessie a rescue standard I've had fro about 2 years tried to pull me in his cage, though the wires.
I'm aways stopping during the day to give him a scratch, and some days he gets so excited he clenches my knuckle skin and pulls my finger in as hard as he can. He does it with Hubby too. Now when he does we'll open the cage door and he'll jump right out to us.
I guess he's training us too.
Come in or take me out!