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[jannugimes]

Hi guys... I've been through this time and time again about getting another chin and whether pickle is happy or not but this morning I've let her out and she hid behind the couch again. So I pulled it out and tried to get her out I wasn't trying to get her in her cage or anything and as I put my hand down when she was down the side of the couch she went for me. She's done this before when I've had her backed into a corner by accident I know chins get aggressive when backed into a corner which is why I never ever "chase" her back into her cage but this time her teeth caught me and drew a tiny tiny bit of blood.
What do I do??! She didn't really have a reaction after that I think she knew she'd gone too far and I sat on the floor and after much coaxing she eventually came to me and is now acting pretty normal (sitting on my lap briefly, running round generally being a bit mental!)
Should I have told her off and been aggressive back so she's not "dominating me"?? The last couple of days she hasn't been that happy I've noticed she's been sitting in the same spot in her cage right in the corner and the other night she got out by mistake and I was late for work so I was chasing her round te room to get her back in do u think she's still reacting from that!!? I know chins can hold a grudge!!!! I've thought time and time again about getting another one to keep her company when she is alone while I work but right now Christmas coming up it's the worst timing I just can't fit it in. I would never ever re home her she means soo much to me I will forgo anything to spend time with her but it's just when I work so much that she is alone.
But if she does this again how do I react? I would have put her straight in her cage but I've never been able to so this it's always been on her terms that she goes back usually the dust bath gets her back in and she runs straight in herself.
Has anyone else had this ever before?? I would hate for her to turn into a "bitey" chin she is so lovely when she's in a good mood she's is perfectly handleable!!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks

[GrayRodent]

It's been my experience that consistency is very important with chinchillas. They get used to things being a certain way but it's not like they cannot learn or be conditioned to do things differently.
It is also important that a chinchilla not be allowed to be rewarded for acting aggressively. If they always have their way the behavior will become worse concerning the circumstances leading up to it.
I don't think your chinchilla holds a grudge but perhaps is frightened by the chasing and expects something bad to happen if it gets caught.
In my experience when I have to chase my chinchilla I try to get it over with as quickly as possible. I have a fish net on a pole that helps. It has a fine mesh that his feet cannot get tangled in. What I find is that if I can chase him into the bathroom where he has no furniture to hide in it is easy for me to catch him.  He does not like to be chased and sometimes does act aggressively when I get him cornered. It is no big deal. I always catch him eventually and I think he knows that. You have an advantage because mine will not go back into his cage on his own. I don't think it will lead to an overall aggressive pet that is hand shy if you have to chase her on occasion. Just don't make a habit of having bad experiences outside of the cage and you'll be okay. I also recommend handling your chinchilla every day and take her out of the cage and hold her for a few seconds and put her back in. This will help her get used to being picked up if she is not. This will also help with territorial behavior inside the cage She will not like it but over several weeks she will get used to that and not be so averse to it. Makes sure she gets lots of positive attention in between.