Andrea
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update on my hedgie - 2008/03/17 16:58
Hi everybody! I posted a thread on this board about my new hedgehog named Spikey and mentioned some of my concerns about him (i.e. the nipping/biting or oral phase). I was invited to Stasi's hedgehog fest this past weekend and I had planned on bringing Spikey to get some expert opinions about his behavior and overall condition.
Well, first off, I had a really nice time meeting such nice people. And I got to see a lot of really cute hedgehogs...all different ages and a few even looked like my Spikey in terms of colors etc. Becca, Kelly and Stasi all handled Spikey and Becca and Kelly answered a lot of my questions and Becca even trimmed his nails for me. Well, they are such experts at handling hedgehogs....he was just so content and happy. No problems, no nipping, no issues whatsoever. In fact, they said he has a really good personality and they were handling him with no problems at all.
Soooo, I think the problem is ME. I think my inexperience combined with being a bit nervous is making Spikey nervous. Which then makes me nervous. I am not afraid of the quills poking at my hands....I am afraid of being bit and I guess I have also gotten psyched out by Spikey's little bluffs i.e. some huffing at times. But Becca was just so masterful....she did not get psyched out at all. Ok, so now I need to just get a grip on myself, I guess. Or I will just have to fly Becca out for a weekend to do intense tutoring--just kidding!
I just wanted to provide an update. I did buy a ferret blanket that many people at the party recommended for snuggling on the lap. I will see if Spikey likes that.
Andrea
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CThogs
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Re:update on my hedgie - 2008/03/18 06:36
Give it some time. You will get used to handling Spikey and he will get used to your style of handling him it just takes awhile sometimes.
Ann
Connecticut Hedgehogs
We had a great time at Hedgehog Fest 2008!!! |
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Hedgehogmadhatter
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Re:update on my hedgie - 2008/03/18 13:11
I am so glad you had a great time and can now happily handle Spikey!!!! 
~Sara
“The fox has many tricks, and the hedgehog only one, but that is the best of all”
Archilochus (Greek lyric poet and soldier, 675-635bc)
There's no love like HEDGEHOG love!
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omelette
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Re:update on my hedgie - 2008/03/18 17:37
it just takes time and patience. just try to relax and soon enough you'll have no problem holding him. good luck!
Lisa
My Heart Belongs to:
Teddy, Sugar, Sapphie, Fudge, Archie, Chuckie - The Yorkies
Emery (Black), Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats
Omelette - Hedgehog
Jack - Guinea Pig
Artex - Hamster
Lesley - Hermit Crab
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dzmeadows
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Re:update on my hedgie - 2008/03/19 12:48
Hmmmm.... flying me out for a weekend? Sounds like a blast. However, after getting back from being out there for 5 days, my hub is threatening to chain me to the house so I never leave him alone (with our two kids) again. :-P
Maybe I should make a career out of it though.... The Amazing Becca, Hedgehog Handler Extraordinare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For the amazing low price of a plane ticket, meals, a bed, and 49.95, I will put your hedgehog through their paces, and make you go "he doesn't act like that for me" (sometimes in a less than good manner, believe it or not, I have ran across a few hedgehogs that were able to resist my charms before). But wait!!!!!! If you call now, you will also recieve a complementary hedgehog nail trim, bath, and quillpolishing. Availability is limited, and may be restricted to areas with better weather than here (as in, not currently floating) or scenery I haven't seen. Fresh seafood helps too. 
Becca
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omelette
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Re:update on my hedgie - 2008/03/19 14:48
ah if Cesear Milan can do it, why not you? The Hedgehog Whisperer!
Lisa
My Heart Belongs to:
Teddy, Sugar, Sapphie, Fudge, Archie, Chuckie - The Yorkies
Emery (Black), Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats
Omelette - Hedgehog
Jack - Guinea Pig
Artex - Hamster
Lesley - Hermit Crab
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thistle
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Re:update on my hedgie - 2008/03/19 16:49
Barbara with Hector & Harriet Hog
Glasgow, Scotland |
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Andrea
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Re:update on my hedgie - 2008/03/19 20:14
Well, that is a great career path and you are already a natural. Becca the hedgehog whisperer. Instead of nursing and rehabbing people, you can fly all over the country and help hedgehogs (and their owners) with problems!
In all seriousness though, Becca was totally unphased by Spikey and his little huffs and puffs. I tend to get all nervous and tense. Like this afternoon, I checked on Spikey and fed him a few kibbles (I do this every afternoon). He was awake and alert so I thought I would take him out. But instead of reaching in to his hedge bag like Becca, I got all over-thinking i.e. how should I do this, what should I do (all the while in the background my husband is saying "just pick him up", "just pick him up."). So I picked up his hedgie bag instead and put it on my lap and then let him walk out on my lap. I did pick him up at some point and put him back in his cage. But I am totally not good at this.
I guess I should also mention that he is dropping A LOT of quills all over the place. There were probably 20 that ended up on my lap. Becca, Kelly and Stasi said he was quilling. So maybe that has something to do with the huffing I am seeing. I know I cannot get psyched out by that.
Ok, I need a hedgehog whisperer on the scene...stat!
andra
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Hedgehogmadhatter
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Re:update on my hedgie - 2008/03/19 21:58
Andrea I promise you Spikey won't hurt you and it's unlikely you will hurt him as hedgehogs are a hardy lot. Just pick him up and don't pause, don't worry and as the shoe commercial says, JUST DO IT!
Hedgehogs are like small kids, they can sense nervousness and fear. Don't show it and they will listen to you... for the most part. LOL
Don't feel bad about being nervous around Spikey. When I got my first hedgehog ten years ago (MY GOD! 10 years!) I was petrified of Bartleby. I kept picking him up anyway and soon we were old buds. Just don't give up and keep trying. That's what counts.
~Sara
“The fox has many tricks, and the hedgehog only one, but that is the best of all”
Archilochus (Greek lyric poet and soldier, 675-635bc)
There's no love like HEDGEHOG love!
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