I know i have like ten million questions...

[gdragon9]

Hey all first of all let me say thanks for taking time out to read all of my stupid newbie questions :winkgrin: and here are a few more. Stitch was doing real well with some training i was doing with him he was learning to run across the room to me on command, he stopped trying to jump over the wood boards that I made to keep him away from the cords. He was even getting to the point where he would let me hold him for a few seconds while i carried him upstairs without struggling to get away from me. I went to my moms house for the weekend (friday and saturday i was back sunday night and even found the energy to let him out) I had a friend take care of him... basically change his water clear out the bottom of the cage and give him food. I came back and stitch is now acting completely differently, he wont listen to me he still knows sometimes if he runs to me when i call him he gets a treat but ignores me 90% of the time. He also after i let him out (usually for 1-1.5 hours when i get home from work) he lays flat on his stomach on in his house something i never remember him doing before. He also will not eat as many of those vitakraft ring things as he used to. He barely eats 2 of them now and those were his positive reinforcement for coming to me. I'm not quite sure what to do I know its only been two days. Am I over reacting?

[parkerspetchins]

He also will not eat as many of those vitakraft ring things as he used to. He barely eats 2 of them now and those were his positive reinforcement for coming to me. I'm not quite sure what to do I know its only been two days. Am I over reacting?
That's great that you two bonded so nicely. When you went away he probably "forgot" you a little bit and it will take some time to get used to you again. If it was a friend you trusted and you don't think anything unusual happened while you were away then it's probably just that. However, if your friend wanted to hold him and chased him around the cage and scared him or something, that is something your chin will remember for a little while and may take a little time to get over (Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not implying that your friend did this and that this is the cause for his "unusual" behavior). If your chin is eating his pellets normally (treats in excess aren't good for chins anyway so you don't want him eating a bunch of those ring things anyway, not sure how old he is but he really shouldn't get treats until he's 6 months old. :) ), hay normally, and drinking and pooing normally then I think it's just a "need to bond again" thing. If he's not doing those things then I would look for other possible causes of lethargy and get him to a vet...did he chew on something he wasn't supposed to, is there anything wrong with his teeth, etc. Good luck! :)

[Gumby and Elmo]

It takes time, my friend, I remember when I was away for 2 weeks, and my mum took care of my babies, they rememberd my face and sound when I came back, my they answered to my mum on command instead of me, how sad is that, and my mum only took care of them for 2 weeks!!!!
As long as his bodilyy functions are working normally, I wouldn't worry too much, and vitacraft slims aren't that healthy either, get him some non-sugared wheat squares instead.
As for the laying on the stomach thing, maybe he's just tired and getting comfy. Don't worry.

[gdragon9]

I talked to my friend and he said he never really touched him he just did what he had to and left. You said that chasing him around the cage can cause them some discomfort but I always have to chase him around the cage to get him out and upstairs to play. Do you think that is doing something to him? Do you have a link where I can get some of those wheat squares? I don't think he is older than 6 months, when I bought him he wasn't fully grown and they said he was no older than 3 months and I have had him for about 1.

[gdragon9]

These are the rings I'm talking about they don't have sugar and according to chinworld they can have as many as they want
http://www.chinworld.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CW140010&Category_Code=CW14

Just let me know if this is a bad idea.

[parkerspetchins]

Hi again, no, I don't think it's hurting him that you are "chasing" him around the cage especially since you said how bonded you were before your weekend away. He probably just "forgot" you a little and will snap right back to his old self. I had never seen those Vitakraft rings before - I tend not to buy the "made for chinnie" treats too much but from the information given in the link they don't sound bad. You can pick up the mini wheat squares at the super-market. I have also read that people found them at Walmarts. I bought the generic store brand - just make sure they aren't frosted ones (sugar=bad :) ). Unsweetened Cheerios are another treat that people give, but any treats should be in moderation. They don't need treats but it is a great training tool :winkgrin: . No worries about your chinnie unless he stops eating, pooing, etc. etc. as I said above :high5: .

[Gamaray18]

These are the rings I'm talking about they don't have sugar and according to chinworld they can have as many as they want
http://www.chinworld.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CW140010&Category_Code=CW14

Just let me know if this is a bad idea.

These are fine for chins, from what I have seen and heard, but they ARE still considered a treat, so you don't want to give unlimited access to them. You can feed one, as a treat, every couple of days just like a raisin or rosehip. A whole one may even be excessive. I had a few of these to try, and I fed half of one at a time.

[Chinnie Winnie]

I was told here in the past that those vita rings are not good (ljust look at all the crap on the lable)so I gave them to my vet to use as bribes for the critters they treat. You are better off with the shredded wheat. I also give some rolled oats I got from the health food section. It's like chinnie crack!! They go nutso for their rolled oats.

I went away for a week and when I got back my more skittish chin Travis seemed different. He seems to have gone back to not trusting me as much as he did before I left. I know it is because my friend that came in the morning with her 2 young daughters were not very considerate towards my chins. Long story, they will NEVER chin sit for me again. Anyway, I don't think chasing him around his cage is a good idea. It's his home and somewhere he should feel safe. Just leave the cage door open and let him come to you. It may take some time. .......

[Gamaray18]

I was told here in the past that those vita rings are not good (ljust look at all the crap on the lable)so I gave them to my vet to use as bribes for the critters they treat. You

Hmm. I'd seen them on a few really reputible chin sites, so I didn't think much about it. I received a few as a free sample, so I fed them and my guys liked them. Either way, they would be something to be treated as an occasional treat at best. My guys are rosehip fans above and beyond everything else :)

[sleepychin]

The chin might not have forgotten you, but might be mad at you. My chins get mad at me all the time when they don't get their way.