How long until he really gets used to you?

[quillbaby24]

Hi all! I just got my little guy Horatio last Friday. I make it a point to take him out at least twice a day for five minutes at a time. He still spikes up at sudden noises and inside the cage when I first go to get him. He has gotten used to me petting him though. I was wondering how long it usually takes for them to get comfortable with their owner. I know it takes time and I am happy with my progress so far, I was just curious if anyone had any pointers or tips to move the process along? Thanks! (I gave him a small bite of a peeled grape yesterday to let him know I am a friend and he seemed to like that)

[Melody]

I've had Emily three weeks. When I take her out at night I sit her on my lap and hand feed her her kibbles. That was she knows I am a walking food dispenser. I then let her snuggle down and go back to sleep on me --She stretches out across my hand and/or me and zonks out. That way she gets used to my scent and knows I am available for snuggling. Course I can't do anything else during that time, so I watch TV!

[hemi_mygirl]

Did you give Horatio a tshirt of yours to sleep in? He'll associate your scent with a safe, warm place.

Also try bonding with him for longer than 10 minutes a day. Instead, set him on your lap while you're watching tv or on the computer. It works like a charm. When I was trying to bond with Hemi, it wasn't uncommon for her to be on my lap for 4 or 5 hours a night, or longer. It seemed to work well, because within a month, she'd follow me around all on her own, and stretch straight out on me. I sincerely believe that's also a reason why she doesn't ball up, quill up, or hiss very often.

I also agree with the hand-feeding idea... just be careful of your fingers. I found feeding them like you'd feed a horse worked great. Stretch your hand out flat, and put a couple kibbles on your palm. They'll smell the food, and probably walk up your hand and eat. While Horatio is eating, talk softly to him.

And, when he's in a bath, talk softly to him as well. It will keep him calm.

[Heimii loves Ma]

my little heimii love to spike up when he first wakes up, but I insist we feed him by hand only and pet him at the same time. He's realy warming up to us and we've only had him for 4 weeks, man time goes by so fast. We had a lot of prob's with his diet and of course now he is quilling (poky d.... things hurt when you step on them) so he's a little grumpy old man. Ha Ha Ha.Slowly finding the right combo of food to feed him and let me tell you, just like you or I when we have a tummy ach we are grouchy too! He is happier and friendly he loves to lie on my daughters lap. He stretches out lets her pat his tummy,she can rub his back tickle his toes my he is just sooooo cute. I think the diet and talking softly to him all the time, as well as getting down a time pattern is important. Heimii plays with selena first thing in the morning and gets feed. I will take him out to play with again when she goes to school for about an hour.Then he comes out again after school to listen to cello practise and do homework and run around and generally annoy and irratate our dog and tease the cats.He then sleeps and comes out again at around 8 for an hour of TV watching and general snuggies. later that night to bed he goes and to run around his wheel to annoy the .....out of us at night so we dont get any sleep. After all if we can wake him then he should wake us.....! We love our little Heimii

P.S. are we the only ones that have a messy p.... wheel every morning or is this the norm. If not how can I stop him from p... and peeing in his wheel. He is a very messy runner boy!

[HedgieMate]

P.S. are we the only ones that have a messy p.... wheel every morning or is this the norm.Almost all of us here have plenty of experience with poopy wheels. In fact, we're experts on the subject. It seems natural for hedgehogs to do their business while running. I'm sure it doesn't lead to a messy outcome in the wild, but unfortunately when they're running on wheels, someone has to clean them up... :winkgrin:

Of course, there are some exceptions. For instance, we're told that Hemi developed a lady-like habit to stick her tushie out and poops off the wheel. I also know one of Nancy's girls refuses to poop on her wheel and keeps it absolutely spic'n'span. So if you're lucky, Heimii might develop a habit like that. Good luck!

P.S. Does the "Ma" in your member name refers to Yo-Yo Ma? I think you mentioned cello in one of your posts.