Help on tameing an older hedgehog

[chinygirl]

Im getting a 2 yr old male hedgehog who hasnt had much handling and was wondering if any one has any ideas on how to make him more friendly towards people?

[teela1342]

A couple of capfuls of vodka will liven him loosen him right up! :laugh:

Unfortunately, the only answer is have a lot of patience. Handle him daily. You don't have to have marathon cuddle sessions. That actually may make a grumpy hedgie worse. You can accomplish a lot with several short meetings a day.

Dim the lights, cut down on anything noisy, talk gently for a minute before you scoop him up. Bribes are great too. If you can hedgie proof your room or set up a play area you can let him loose to wake up and explore, this may make it easier to transition to holding him. It may also keep him from pooping while you are holding him.

Don't be discouraged. At 2 years old, he probably will never be as sweet as a cuddled baby. But he can be managable to deal with and fun to play with and watch. Mine is an anitsocial monster, but he cracks me and my friends up. Good luck!

[PrettyHate]

Not too much Vodka though...nothing worse than a hungover hedgie ;)

[teela1342]

Not too much Vodka though...nothing worse than a hungover hedgie ;)

True. Jake is a lightweight. Just can't hold his liquor. It is embarassing. :rolleyes:

[PrettyHate]

True. Jake is a lightweight. Just can't hold his liquor. It is embarassing. :rolleyes:

He sounds like me LOL

[haig]

I was in the same situation. I got a 2+ year old that wasn't handled much and was handled it was just to cram him into a hamster ball. For the first week he slept completly balled up and would only unball if the lights were off and the room was completly empty. I took the advice of putting an old shirt in and that helped a lot. He dosn't like to be picked up (huffs a lot) but he no longer balls up and sleeps in any position and just seems a whole lot more relaxed. Persistance is key.

[teela1342]

Ooh yeah, the stinky shirt trick is a good one. I forgot about that. Gets him used to your smell and gives him something to hide in. After having Jake for 3 months, I still use this tip.

[teela1342]

He sounds like me LOL


:rolleyes: You and Jake are never allowed to go out drinking together. You guys would probably start a bar fight or something.

[chinygirl]

thanks guys, i will try that t-shirt idea and with him already kinda cranky i dont think i want to add any alcohol might make him worse!!!!

[PrincessHedge]

I would suggest buying an animal playpen at walmart and then putting your Hedgie in it as much as you can and in an area where you are alot. We do this to ours and they like to be out in it with toys and its good for them to be exposed to our family.

Many BLessings and Best og Luck to you. I am sure everything will be just fine with lots of love and patience. By the way I am Stitchs mom :D