How to deal with brothers and hedgehogs

[SunsetBeauty]

I was just wondering if anyone has any idea for me. My younger brother, is 15 and drives me crazy (what brother doesn't?? :laugh: ) but, now he's acting out against Calvin.

The other day, I had Calvin out downstairs. My brother comes over and shoves a potatoe chip in his face. I told him Calvin was sleeping (and the chips aren't approiate food for hedgies) and he goes and bangs on the table - saying "now, he's awake".
When I told him to quit it, he ignored me. Then, my brother takes the chip bag, stand a ways away from me and starts throwing potatoe chips at him! I covered Calvin with his blankie and told my brother to stop it. He goes to wash his hands, and when he's done drying them, he grabs Calvin's blankie and threw the paper towel ontop of him. Again, I told him to knock it off and he just laughed.

I was working on a project and didn't have the option of moving my computer upstairs and frankly, I don't think I should have had to. I was there first, with Calvin, and everything was fine until he came down. I'm on the computer alot, working on my novel/stories (and checking c-n-q!;) ) and I like having Calvin by me. I don't want to cut Calvin's cuddle time because of my brother.

It's just so frustrating. He's usually pretty good with animals. He doesn't like my birds (and has admitted as much), but, for the most part, treats them with respect. He's nice to the cats (he LOVES cats) and the dogs. It just really disturbed me how mean he was being to Calvin. I don't know if it was just to tick me off or what, but it did make me angry. So it could be a one-time thing, but still...

I told my mom, but they are having other problems with him and he just won't listen.

I guess I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem and/or suggestions as to what I could say to him to make him stop - without it seeming like I'm "telling him what to do". That's his latest thing - 'I'm too bossy and I'm not his mom, so he doesn't have to listen to anything I say' :rolleyes: .

Thanks for any/all advice you can give. I'm still really upset. Calvin is none the worse for wear, but I feel guilty.

[Ododad]

I think your brother needs a good shot in the chops. JMO
A hedgie is nervous enough without have things thrown at him.

[HedgieSpirit]

Question-how old is your brother?

[SunsetBeauty]

he's 15.

Ododad- don't I wish! He's very stubborn. I'm just glad Calvin's not a nervous hedgie, otherwise it could have set us back bond-wise. Of course, when I try explaining that to him, he rolls his eyes and said "so". he just mystifies me.

[ejw829]

Brothers are a pain. I have a younger one myself and at 30 and 28, we still behave like toddlers fighting over a pacifier. Ever see the commerical for Sunny Delight w/ the 2 kids on the beach? That is basically a recreation of every family vacation that my family took :laugh:

All jokes aside... your brother is 15 and more than capable of behaving himself. You mentioned that your parents are having other troubles with him -- it stands to reason if he is misbehaving at home/school/etc., he will misbehave with his sister and things that are important to her.

For now, I would suggest keeping Calvin where he is safe. No, you shouldn't have to cut into cuddle time but your brother seems a bit unsteady at the moment (no offense, of course). Until your parents and he come to some sort of understanding, I would suggest keeping Calvin as safe as possible.

Best wishes to you and your family!

[PrettyHate]

Sounds like my sister and Bosco. Every time he is out she goes "Boooooss-CO!" and every single time, Bosco huffs at her and furrows his brow. Even when she talks nice to him, he still gets mad at her and huffs LOL I think he has just learned not to like her voice!

Sorry that your brother is being such a pip. Want me to send Bosco over and he can show your brother some kung fu action? ;)

[kaiteedyd]

My brothers been the same way about the hedgehogs. He refers to them as "Stinkhogs'. He has never tried to cause them harm but he likes to provoke them. During the xmas break I had Malachite home with me and he was pretty well behaved.

Your brother may just grow out of it. Until than I suggest not letting the brother around your hedgehog until the behavior stops.

[teela1342]

I have 2 younger brothers. They didn't grow out of being jerks until they were about 23. Sorry. :banghead:

Keep your parents in the loop about your brother's behavior. Since you say they seem to have a lot on their plate where he is concerned they may not be able to take immediate action. But they still need to know.

If I were you, I'd just keep my hedgie out of my brother's way for a while. I know you don't want to change your routine because your brother is being a creep, but this isn't about standing your ground. Without meaning to, you brother could harm your hedgehog. Then everyone would feel bad.

Good luck with the brother thing. I suggest duct taping his mouth shut and shoving him in a closet until he reaches his 20's.

[Furball27]

I think your brother needs a good shot in the chops. JMO
A hedgie is nervous enough without have things thrown at him.
I have to agree with Ododad here. I'm sorry, but if any of my brothers were being abusive in ANY way towards my pets, i would beat the s*** out of them. (and they are all older than me!) Maybe not the best way to teach a lesson, but at least he would know not to mess with your pets anymore. If your parents aren't going to do anything, then YOU need to get through his head that you're not going to tolerate this behavior toward your 'hog. Maybe he's doing it because he knows it pisses you off, but if i were you, i wouldn't let it escalate. He could really hurt your hedgehog one day.

[SunsetBeauty]

Chameli- yeah, that commerical reminds me of us too! lol lol.
No offense taken at all- he's not "unstable", just making bad choices. He's gotten into this, "I know better than anyone else, I don't like the rules and I'm not going to follow them" mode. My poor parents. I feel so bad for them. Everyday is a struggle just to get him to do his chores, his homework, etc. I pretty much figured that I'll just have to work things out so we are not in the same room at the same time until he can make better choices.

Prettyhate - Yes, please send Bosco over, my brother won't listen to anyone else, maybe he will listen to a hedgie with a black belt! :laugh:

Teela - that's what my mom said, to just let her know so she's aware. He's just so funny, one minute he's the nicest kid in the world - saying "I love you", giving these wonderful hugs, doing things without complaining. The next minute, he's a terror- "I hate you. You're the worse sister/mom/dad in the world" etc. etc. I'm glad I never went through that stage. :laugh: He's the same way with Calvin too. Every other day, but the incident, he's been nice to Calvin -he's held him, given him a treat, etc. but then he goes and acts like a brat. I really think it was more of a "lets tick off Katie" gesture than anything else. It just makes me upset when he uses my animals to "get" to me.
I think the duct tape idea is great, and I bet I could get my parents to go along with it too!!! lol lol. Probably not, but it's a thought! I'm going to try to stay out of his way - especially when it's obvious he's in one of his moods. I don't like it, but then, I've got to do what's best for me and my critters.

Thanks for all the advice, I really appreicate it. It helps to know I'm not alone!