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1

Q & A / Re: Behavior Change

« on: November 10, 2008, 06:24:47 PM »

Sure, you COULD separate the two, but wouldn't that be a little cruel? To separate best friends in hopes that they'll love you more as a result of needing more affection? Not to mention, you could send the both of them into depression for it. Probably not the best idea. I'd say give them more time for adjustment and stick to routines. And maybe have separate play times?

Also, a side note: while there are plenty of people who could make the foolish and/or heartless decision to release a chinchilla, there are other possibilities. Perhaps a child accidentally let him out (or wanted to "set it free"), or maybe he escaped his cage and went out an open door/window. Especially if the little fella was in obvious ill-health, he could have traveled a good distance from home. Why assume the worst in people, just because it is an easy conclusion to make and we feel sorry for the victim? Just a thought.

2

Q & A / Re: Please help me with new chin owner trouble!

« on: November 10, 2008, 05:58:38 PM »

Glad to see you have given up the idea of getting a baby so soon after obtaining your first chin...especially with small living quarters, little time, and probably little funding.  Also, to encourage this decision, know that regardless of breed, sex, or age--there is no way of knowing how any 2 chinchillas will get along, PLUS they do not always have much influence on one another (in regards to your hopes that a new one would help "train" this one). Like just about everyone else, I have come to realize that it can take many months to see results in behavior modification. My smallest house-mates are a 16-y/o female (Charlie) I got when she was 10-weeks, and a 4-y/o male (Chin) I just adopted 3 weeks ago. I discover/observe something new in their behaviors almost every day:

I have just recently gotten to the point where Charlie almost goes into her cage on command: after running around and doing ninja-style acrobatics she gets tired and goes to a particular spot to rest, and if she stays long enough I go over to her cage and squat next to it...she immediately runs over, looks up to her cage and back at me, gives me nose kisses, I say "go on in" and she leaps up to the 2nd level, I give her a scratch and close the door and slip her a treat.

I was told when I adopted Chin, that he was a lover and liked being handled. Well, if that was true (and it could be), then he digressed tremendously when handed over to a new owner (he had been with a foster parent for 4 months) because the little bugger wanted nothing to do with me, HATED being held and wouldn't even allow a finger touch when out of the cage, and worse yet he didn't play at all or chew on anything (but his appetite and digestion were fine, thank goodness). He has improved remarkably, and is much more "normal". Now, if I sit really still and not reach out to him, he comes up to me to sniff my face or nibble on my clothes, and is just starting to respond when I make noises at him. But my point is--like that of everyone else--is that it has been a slow process and requires LOTS of patience. So much love and hope to you in the process of growing a relationship with your new friend. Please don't be discouraged by his less-than-amiable behavior.