UmmHussam
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New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/08 06:56
Okay, so I got my hedgie yesterday. I can't get him to unroll long enough to socialize with me. When I got him, he crawled all over me, and was very playful. Now, he hisses and balls up anytime I get anywhere near him. Then if I back of for a second, be runs away...fast! I'm not at all afraid of handling hedgies (this being my second), but this one has already gotten me good twice with his quills - OUCH!! Not sure what I should do...its starting to freak me out. By the way, he is not quilling. Any thoughts?
Nicole
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PogStar
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/08 10:19
For your hedgehog, this is no longer some grand adventure. He is STUCK here, and hasn't yet had the time to figure out that this will be a good thing. He is scared of all the new noises and smells, and really just wants everything to go away and not come back until he is home. Give him a few days. You don't want to ignore him though. Pull him out once or twice a day for a short time and just sit with him if possible. Talk softly, let him hear you and smell you. See, you didn't eat him, maybe you're not so bad after all.  Take an old tshirt you have worn and put it in for him to sleep under, it will help him to get even more used to your smell. Almost all hedgies, after a few days of adjusting, go back to their usual charming selves. After several years of raising hedgehogs, I have had one or two hedgehogs either try to give their new owner heart failure by refusing to eat or drink, or refuse to accept their new home, but this is by far the vast minority. He should come around in a few days and be running all over exploring you again. Hope this helps!!
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illinidairychic
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/08 16:19
how old is your new hedgehog? You said he wasn't quilling and I didn't know if that meant he was older or not. I've have found with some older hogs it takes a little be more for them to feel comfortable in a new place because they have been conditioned to a routine and now it's been thrown off. Also the shirt idea seems to be a great start. I know that my babies even on a grumpy day will uncurl in my hand when they smell me but have a harder time trusting a new smell. Just give him time and maybe even try to bribe him with some mealies. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
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HamorHollow
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/08 22:31
Your new baby's world has just been turned upside down. Give him a little time to adjust to his new home and owners.
Here are a few things you can do to help:
Play with hedgie in a dimly lit room. Bright lights scare them and put them in defensive mode.
Keep young excited kids away for now. Yelling is scary and little grabby hands are too.
Make him feel secure. Give him a blanket or sack to hide in when he is on your lap. Use the same one so it is familiar to him.
Read Tig's article in the article section on 'Socializing the Grumpy Hedgehog'
Kelly Sosik-Hamor
Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. |
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UmmHussam
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/08 23:55
Thanks for all the input thus far! My hedgie is about 8 months old, so I'm pretty sure its going to take him a bit longer to become social with me than younger hedgies. I will try your suggestions and see if that helps - and I will keep you all posted! I guess I just panicked because, after getting poked so hard twice and being hissed at so much, *I* started getting scared too (maybe the poor thing hates me, maybe I'm a bad hedge-parent, why can't I do this?!?!) Though I'm feeling much better now, thanks! I'm sure I'll have tons of questions in the near future...so thanks for being so helpful!
Nicole
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PogStar
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/09 03:06
Anytime, thats why we started this crazy place. 
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HamorHollow
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/09 05:07
nchilders wrote:
I'm sure I'll have tons of questions in the near future...so thanks for being so helpful!
Nicole
Excellent! We'd love for you to be a regular poster here. We have lots and lots of advice and experience, and we certainly enjoy sharing.
Where did you get your hedgie? Was it a pet store? If so, remember that living in a pet store can be a very traumatic experience, with people peering at and poking you all day.
Also, at 8 months, she could be going through another quilling. Some hedgehogs go through a 6 month quilling and then another at around a year, some split the difference and go through 1 quilling at 8 months. I usually tell people to expect quilling around 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. But, just like different children cut teeth at different ages, different hedgehogs will quill at different times.
Kelly Sosik-Hamor
Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. |
Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. |
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UmmHussam
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/09 06:24
I do hope to become a regular poster as well. I only wish I had more valuable info to share with everyone like you guys have shared with me.
I did get hedgie (who still does not have a name yet...the family keeps wanting to call him, you guessed it, SONIC!!) at a pet store. It was a very good pet store, but since he has other hedgies in the habitat with him, he might be lonely. He doesn't seem to want to come out this evening to play or socialize. Every time I try to pick him up today, he hisses and puffs into a ball and won't unroll. Hmm...dare I keep trying tonight or just try tomorrow?
~N.
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HamorHollow
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/09 08:34
NO!!!! You are not allowed to call him Sonic. Give him a unique name that fits his personality.
Play with him for short periods a few times/day or sit with him under a blanket and watch TV. You are doing great.
And as far as sharing information with us, you are doing a lot of good by posting your questions. Some people are too shy to post, but will come here to read the info. And it looks silly if we make up questions and then answer them..........so we neeed you!  
Kelly Sosik-Hamor
Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. |
Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. |
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UmmHussam
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/09 08:42
Oh, believe me...he WILL NOT be named Sonic! I really want a name that fits...unfortunately, that's what he doesn't have one yet (haven't got to see much of his personality!!) I've tried talking to him this evening, and he came out to peek at me for a bit. I also put my T-shirt in there with him. But, again, when I tried to pick him up, he puffed up and scooted back under his log. He wouldn't even take a mealie from me!  But after awhile he did unroll and stick his head out to keep peeking at me, so perhaps he's warming up to me  . On another note, I was wondering if anyone knows where I can get a copy of the Hedgehog Primer? I'd really like one to keep on hand. Gosh...I wish there were more experienced hedgie owners here in Wichita...seems like I need a lot of coaching! Thanks, bunches for all your help!
Nicole (the ever-curious one!) 
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UmmHussam
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/09 08:59
Nevermind about where to buy Hedgehog Primer. Found it on Hedgehog Valley!!
Nicole (off to complete my purchase now!)
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HamorHollow
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/09 09:43
nchilders wrote:
Gosh...I wish there were more experienced hedgie owners here in Wichita...seems like I need a lot of coaching!
Laura of Pogstar is out near you, and Tig of Hedgehog Valley is only a few hours away.
Kelly Sosik-Hamor
Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. |
Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. |
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UmmHussam
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/10 04:53
Day 3 - Well, I've successfully held hedgie twice since the homecoming. Once the day of (Sunday) awhile after he settled into his new home, and once Tuesday. Each time for a good amount of time. Today, though he wouldn't let me hold him (the old puff 'n ball thing again), he did let me keep my hand in the cage and he came to sniff me. Then he went on about his business as though he feels I'm okay. Although he seems to be warming up to me, even with a towel or my t-shirt, I still can't seem to get a handle on him without him hissing, balling, and then trying to jump out of my hands.
Is this normal? I don't want to miss out on valuable socialization time (its been three days and I've only held him twice!), but I also want to respect his space and give him time to get used to me. Is that okay?? He seems to be slowly coming around...and I don't want to rush him. But I don't want to be doing more harm than good by making him more anti-social. Thoughts??
Nicole (done rambling...for now)
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HamorHollow
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/10 07:04
Try spending a little more time with him. maybe let him run around on your bed/ sofa while you watch TV for awhile.
Kelly Sosik-Hamor
Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. |
Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. |
Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
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UmmHussam
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/14 07:05
Its me...AGAIN!
Is it possible for a hedgehog to NOT want to be held? We are to the point where he will let me touch his nose and he will tolerate my hand in his cage. But if I try to pick him up...WHOA!!! The last time I tried he seemed to run at me with his quills fully up as if to attack! Now he's curled up in a ball and won't uncurl, no matter what I do! Its getting to where he's starting to scare me!  I really don't know what to do! I hate to sound like the whiny type (I'm not...I promise!), but I've never dealt with a hedgie like this! HELP!!!
Laura, if you're reading this...I know it sounds crazy, but would you be up for some one on one coaching if I can find time to make the drive out there?? Or if you're ever in Wichita, perhaps we could meet. I'm really worried that I'm doing something wrong, and if that's the case, I'd love to find out from someone really experienced who can show me how its done.
Nicole - whose poor hands are all red from the prickles - and whose hedgie hates her. OUCH!!
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dzmeadows
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/14 13:50
Scaring you is probably the whole purpose of his behavior. If he still isn't sure on whether you are planning to eat him, then he is going to do his best to scare you off. I would recommend continuing to hold him in your lap whether he likes it or not, use a baby blanket or something similar to protect you a bit if you want.
Becca
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HamorHollow
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/14 19:47
Nicole,
I agree with Becca. Just keep at it. Some hedgehogs never come around, but most will.
I'm sure that Laura would love to get together with you and help you with your hedgehog. I would recommend emailing her off of the board so that she is sure to see it. Laura is a social butterfly and loves to meet new people. If you have the opportunity to stop by her house, you will see some absolutely lovely hedgehogs.
Kelly Sosik-Hamor
Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. |
Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. |
Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
Join us for Hedgehog Fest 2008
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PogStar
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/15 00:00
Sorry! Our computers have been conspiring against us, and we've just finally got this one to where I can safely get online and not worry that I'm going to make the whole darn thing go FOOM! (I won't go into the two belonging to the kids, neither of which is working at this moment) I'd be happy to meet up with you in Wichita pretty much any time (as soon as we get the van fixed, but that should be tomorrow, just needs a hose replaced) or Kelly is right, I LOVE having people out to the farm. It's about an hour drive, give or take a bit, from anywhere in Wichita. I'm more than happy to help you with your little guy whenever we can work it out. You can holler at me here, or email me privately at laura@pogstarhedgehogs.com and we'll set up a time there or I can give you my phone number. I'll look forward to talking to you more soon!
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UmmHussam
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/15 00:21
Laura,
Thank you so much! That would be awesome! For some reason, I was thinking you lived closer to two hours away from Wichita (I don't have a clue where I got that idea, but if I knew you lived that close I would've got a baby from you...guess I can always get a baby when I get this one settled and liking me! ) I really think my main problem is that since he keeps seeming upset by me trying to pick him up, its making me second guess myself (and scaring me...I know, bad Nicole!!). I never ran into this problem with my first hedgie...of course, I got Cue much younger than I did this time around. Today he actally popped when I tried to pick him up! I did get Tig's book in the mail today, so I'm going to start reading that tonight. When is usually a good time for you to meet? If you'd like, you can e-mail me at ummhussam@sbcglobal.net. Thanks again for all your help!
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babygoth
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/19 01:48
wow, I'm from Wichita too <--good first post
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UmmHussam
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/19 01:50
YAY!!! Another hedgie person nearby!!! Cool beans!!!
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PogStar
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Re:New hedgie - Handling Help - 2005/11/19 07:25
HI there! Great to meet you! I'm dying to meet Nichole in person next week. Maybe we should start an area hh addict club! If there is anything I can help with just let me know!
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