how to pick up my hedgie...?

[oksk89]

so far my hedgie has adjusted well to his new home and all... but i havent truly held him in my hands yet... he came home at wednesday night, so its been about 4-5 days... i notie dthat when i put my hand near him, he jumps and huffs... so i get scared and surprised... :( i even put in my tshirt i slept in into his little sleeping hhouse. he even slept under it, which was really cute lol :laugh:
so i dunno HOW to approach him... im really scared cuz he always makes that huffing sound.. but scares me even more is the jump... seriously, hes just still, looking around, and suddenly this hyper-fast-super-split-second jump comes out of no where... that really scares me... any suggestions? :(

thanks

[giry76]

Congratulations on your new hedgie. It does take a bit of time to realize that their huffing and jumping is just to scare you and it sounds like it is working. Don't let it. Just be prepared that he/she will jump and huff and maybe make a popping noise when you go to pick him/her up. Try to get your fingers under their tummy if they haven't balled up and if they have balled up you might want to use some blankets to protect your fingers until you get used to the quills. Just do it.

Once you have them picked up, just try to be still. Let the hedgie get used to you. Fast movements or noises will probably make them jump or huff. So if you can just hang out, pop in a movie and get used to each other.

[Ldy_Icedragon]

Yup all the huffing and popping is just to scare you. If you show no reaction to their little popping fits then they'll stop or at least lessen. At least that's how it worked with Cleo. She realized she was waisting her energy, hehe. You can also try taking him out by using the T-Shirt to pick him up and them slow dumping him in your lap. You can also try giving your hedgie a snack ( a mealie or baby food) once he's in your lap. That way he may settle down to just munch out and eventually may understand that your not that bad :)

~Danielle

[Ododad]

Congratulations on your new hedgie. It does take a bit of time to realize that their huffing and jumping is just to scare you and it sounds like it is working. Don't let it. Just be prepared that he/she will jump and huff and maybe make a popping noise when you go to pick him/her up. Try to get your fingers under their tummy if they haven't balled up and if they have balled up you might want to use some blankets to protect your fingers until you get used to the quills. Just do it.

Once you have them picked up, just try to be still. Let the hedgie get used to you. Fast movements or noises will probably make them jump or huff. So if you can just hang out, pop in a movie and get used to each other.
May I add just one note?
I always pick Odo up from the rear, with her butt facing me. She tries to scramble away and that is when I can get my fingers under her belly. Then I quickly bring her to my chest, support her belly with one hand and cover her butt with the other and just stay very still, and talk to her. It didn't take long at all doing this for her to get used to me and now, she never balls but still huffs and puffs sometimes for a few seconds. I also gently stroke her quills in the laying down direction and I have noticed that when I do that, she lays her quills down at once. Just trying to help.

[ReapersTouch]

I scoop her up. I got her yesterday and she doesnt like me lol. Even is she balls up, the quils don't bother my hands. I wonder how long this is gonna last?

[mrgew]

Just remember they are soft on the underside so if you act quickly, plus its not like it really hurts, its like a little prick but thats it.

[Ododad]

I scoop her up. I got her yesterday and she doesnt like me lol. Even is she balls up, the quils don't bother my hands. I wonder how long this is gonna last?
It takes time to earn a hedgies trust. But, it's well worth the effort. Your statement that you just "scoop her up" tells me that your not afraid of her and are able to remain calm while she is balled up in your hand. That's a very good start to a loving relationship I think. That calm will be transmitted to her and will go a long way toward earning her trust. Handle her everyday, talk softly to her (which is very important as the sound of your voice will also calm her) offer her a treat while your holding her and I bet within less than a month, she will be eating out your hand so to speak!
What is her name and are there any photo's of her?

[sarah1984]

Scooter... well he just hates the world, no matter how much you handle him he'll huff puff and pop, but if gives him character. I wouldn't change him, but when he does unball he's a huge baby and will run right up under my hair.... hedgheogs are funny little creatures, you can't help but to love them no matter what, or how their personality is.

[teela1342]

i notie dthat when i put my hand near him, he jumps and huffs... so i get scared and surprised... im really scared cuz he always makes that huffing sound.. but scares me even more is the jump...

Come on! Be brave! Nobody has died from a hedgie prickle. :laugh:

The fierce hissing and popping is to scare away predators. Don't let it work on you. You know hedgies are not really aggressive, so you know you won't really be injured. I know it is startling, but keep at it and you will get used to it. Use a towel or shirt or something to scoop your hedgie up with so you aren't worring about getting pricked.

If you shy away from picking up your hedgie, it will only make the tantrums worse when you do have to pick them up. Pick up your hedgehog a several times a night, even if you only have a few minutes to handle him.

My roommate doesn't care for Jake too much. The hissing and popping freaks her out. She uses potholder gloves to pick him up. She just scoops him up like a hot baked potato. If she can do it, you can too.

Be the Alpha Hedgie! You are in charge! :laugh:

[Vampira_666]

I have to agree with everyone here, just scoop him up, even if you have to use a towel or something...I have 2 hedgies and they are both very different...Marigold, my Baby will huff and puff until I have her up in my hands and Keyaira will just ball up really tight(quills up) when I go to pick her up, but I just scoop her u p anyways and she will not unball very much while I am holding her but that is getting much better..I just scoop her up and bare with it :) seems to be paying off, the first time she unballed in my hands made me so proud and happy, it was a very rewarding moment...I was like a little kid in a toy store, i was so excited :laugh: , so it really does pay of to hold them, like i said Marigold pops and huff at me but once she relizes its me she is out and active and happy :)