Chinchilla Community Forums

Chinchillas => Q & A => Topic started by: chinchillagirl on November 10, 2007, 06:11:26 PM

Title: When chinchillas bite hard
Post by: chinchillagirl on November 10, 2007, 06:11:26 PM

I read in a chinchilla care book that if your chinchilla bites you hard, you should blow in its face.  Is that true?  I don't want to hurt him if that is bad for his health.

Title: Re: When chinchillas bite hard
Post by: ChinchillAZ on November 11, 2007, 12:08:12 AM

I have used this method before, but it really depends on the chinchilla.  Some chinchillas really don't care if you blow in their face and will continue doing what they were doing.

Title: Re: When chinchillas bite hard
Post by: chinclub on November 11, 2007, 06:20:12 AM

I agree sometimes blowing works, sometimes just a loud "no!".  Sometimes they just won't get the message and a gentle push backwards along with the loud "no" will get through to them.

Title: Re: When chinchillas bite hard
Post by: chinchillagirl on November 11, 2007, 08:39:26 PM

Thanks!  I will try this with my chinchilla and see if it works. :)

Title: Re: When chinchillas bite hard
Post by: Debbie.nl.ca on November 17, 2007, 10:34:15 AM

Yes a good scolding can go along way  :D
Don't think for one second they can't learn right from wrong.
Unless your fingers are tasty ;)

Title: Re: When chinchillas bite hard
Post by: Deanna on December 01, 2007, 07:49:33 AM

Blowing in their face may work, but it depends if the chinchilla is a good listener. It may get the message, it may not. I do this with Otis and it works fine, but you are free to try it with your own chins!  ::nod::

Title: Re: When chinchillas bite hard
Post by: nemue on December 13, 2007, 09:56:48 AM

I've been using this method on Kira, who's new and very aggressive.  I think it's working. She sulks after and really hates it.  My mom pointed out that blowing in faces is a sign of dominance for some animals, and so it biting.  So, when they bite you, they're saying, "Do what I want, I'm the boss."  And by blowing back you're saying, "No, I'm the boss, stop it."  Course, it doesn't work on every chin, but I guess you just have to find a way to tell them off!

Title: Re: When chinchillas bite hard
Post by: ChillinChinchillas on December 16, 2007, 11:17:31 AM

When I get bitten by a chinnie, it is usually because they are afraid (it happens with some of my rescues that have been neglected) or excited. I had one rescue that was so neglected, whenever I would go to give her a little supplement treat, she would get so excited she would sometimes miss and bite on my finger in an attempt to get her treat. I have found that a low, deep toned "no" works pretty well. Patience seems to be the best cure for these situations. That has just been my personal experience, but all chis are different!