Kida
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Crabby Crabby Crabby - 2006/02/05 03:45
Hi guys, I'm hoping you can help me..
I got a new hedgehog at home. I got him from someone who could no longer care for him. He is completely unsocialized  .. I'd say that he's about two from what I understand.. what can I do besides being patient and just slowly working with him.. I'm not afraid of him.. and I pick him up outta the cage with a soft towel but then I transfer his prickly bottom to my hands and I try to evenly support his weight..
I can get him outta the ball.. but he hisses and sniffles at me any time I make a noice and puts his head down..
Any help at all would be great.. thanks!
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dzmeadows
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Re:Crabby Crabby Crabby - 2006/02/05 21:21
Congrats on your new hedgehog, and good luck taking on a special grumpy one! One thing that I find is helpful for encouraging crabby hedgehogs to unball is to lightly rub their quills in a circular motion over the spine about halfway up their back. You may have to experiment a bit to find the exact "sweetspot" that works for your hedgehog, but you should eventually find the area that works for your hedgehog. Not sure exactly why it works, but it makes it very difficult for the hedgehog to stay completely balled up when you find this area. I am not going to try to tell you that it will make your hedgehog amazingly sociable all of a sudden, but it will encourage him to relax a little, which may help him realize that you are not planning to eat him.
As well, you may try giving him a blankie tht you have worn against your skin for a few hours, or slept with in your bed for a night or two. This will help him associate your smell with comfort and relaxation, and may help him become somewhat less fearful.
Other than these suggestions, all I can say is patience. Keep it up, the more time you are able to spend with him with quiet relaxing handling, the more it is going to help him settle down.
Becca
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HamorHollow
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Re:Crabby Crabby Crabby - 2006/02/05 21:44
Try looking in our article section, and reading the article on socializing the grumpy hedgehog. That should help som.
Good luck!
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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Tavimh
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Re:Crabby Crabby Crabby - 2006/02/05 22:41
Have you tried offering a treat to him when he un-balls?
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Quilted_Lamb
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Re:Crabby Crabby Crabby - 2006/02/07 00:55
I would definitely suggest something along the lines of a hedgie bag, which is basically just a fleece bag he can crawl into when on your lap. Many hedgies don't feel safe exposed and giving him a place to hide may help him while he learns to trust you. And best of all, he'll still be able to smell you and will come to associate you (hopefully) with safety. Kudos to you for giving this guy a home and the love he doesn't even know he so desperately wants.  Hedgie hugs...Tiffany
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HamorHollow
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Re:Crabby Crabby Crabby - 2006/02/07 03:16
Try carrying him around in one of those sweatshirts with the big front pockets. Most hedgehogs love them. That way he can be with you and learn your voice and smell while feeling safe and secure in your pocket.
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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Quilted_Lamb
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Re:Crabby Crabby Crabby - 2006/02/09 00:43
Just don't be surprised when your pocket becomes wet, lol.  I went through my closet searching for a sweatshirt with pockets, but alas, I did not find any. Now I'm going to have to go shopping. Hedgie hugs...Tiffany
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Jupiterannette
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Re:Crabby Crabby Crabby - 2006/02/09 00:51
happens every time! i put a towel in the bottum of the pocket then put her in!
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Tygerxb
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Re:Crabby Crabby Crabby - 2006/02/09 17:46
About the hoodie (sweatshirt with big front pocket). My male Knuckles loves to get in there and poke around for a bit but after about maybe 10 minutes time the sweatshirt is is the washer due to the fact that he has left me not only a lil pee pee but he also likes to leave me a few hedgie tootsie rolls as well. I guess he gets so relaxed he just lets it flow, beats me.
Shawn
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HamorHollow
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Re:Crabby Crabby Crabby - 2006/02/09 19:22
If you let your hedgehog run around in the sink or tub (empty) for about 10 mins after they wake up, they will let *most* of it lose in there and your sweatshirt will stay cleaner.
Kelly
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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Quilted_Lamb
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Re:Crabby Crabby Crabby - 2006/02/10 21:00
I must admit I'd rather avoid the poop on me experience if I can. Usually, once my girl is awake, I put her back in the cage and let her do her business there before I snuggle with her. I usually give her about 15 minutes and then we're good to go. If it's our time at night, I simply turn off the light and give her 15 minutes. When I return I always find the wheel poopy and she's good to go. She's never pooped or peed on me (knock on wood!), though I think that's more a reflection of her personality than anything I'm ultimately doing. 
However, I do have a litter box that I have for those times I don't want to give her 15 minutes to wake up and do her business. I make sure to keep a close eye on her tail and the moment it pops up, into the litter box she goes. She does her thing and pretty soon we're snuggling away again, or I'm chasing her all over the house laughing at her antics.  Hedgie hugs...Tiffany
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