"bonding" with hedgie

[TashaR]

Hi everyone :) I don't want to get flamed but I have to ask. What do you guys do to bond with your hedgie? I've had Pop for months now but we just never....clicked. I try to buy him treats and toys and try to play with him but I don't feel any connection with him. Is there anything I can do to connect with him?

[tacotac]

If he is calm, carry him with you whereever you go around the house. That's what I do. If I sit and watch tv, use the computer, or just sitting around doing something, or eating dinner, have him sleep in a blanket on your lap, or I even let mine sleep in the front pocket part of my hoodies if I am wearing them. Even if he sleeps in a blanket on the same couch or chair as you. I do this all the time. And just take him out and hold him in your hand from time to time, let him mingle around you. Pet him for a bit each time, even if they get real cranky. I am already getting Maisy used to me. She is resting on top of my shirt right now, just sitting there while I stroke her back. She used to be real hissy, clicky when I first got her. She still gets a little testy if you touch her wrong or move a certain way, but she is a lot better now then what she was. I got her in January. Just tote her around like a kid and their stuffed bear as of he were a part of you. You can even try a ritual thing, like give him a treat next to him each night before you go to bed, or each time you take him out. Some hedgies also take more time then others.

Hope this helps. ;)

[Aqua-Net]

I remember hearing someone once say that you knew when your hedgie was bonded to you when it would "splat" (just spread out comfortably) on you. This may not apply to all hedgies, but this is what I'm working for with mine. Just think of when you do things like read a book, watch TV, talk on the phone--these are all great times just to have them out with you. Bring with a hedgie hat or sleepy sack, whatever they need to feel comfortable, but after that, just relax. Eventually, they'll begin to relax with you too.

Just remember that all hedgies will also have a different degree of what "relaxed" means.

[TashaR]

It's not so much him bonding with me as the other way around. I'm gonna buy him one of those hedgie bags so he can chill with me when I'm home. Thanks for the advice. I think I'm just a chin person more than a hedgie person, but i owe it to him to do all I can for him. I really loved Maia, my first hedgie, but she died a couple months ago. Pop's always been more difficult (lots of hissing/balling/ect) than the other hedgies I've met but hopefully we can get over that.