Hi!
So I've had my first chin, Harlow, for about 7 months now. She's just over a year old and is very very friendly and comfortable with me. She never bites, she always wants to be held and scratched. I thought she would like to have another chin to keep her company while I'm not here, especially while she is still young, as I know they are more accepting at a younger age.
So last weekend I picked up another female who needed to be rehomed, and she is nearly 9 months old.
She's very timid and isn't a biter, I made sure before I adopted her.
I know it's only been a week, but they really don't seem to like each other.
Harlow seems very aggressive towards Sienna (my newest addition). They have separate cages that I keep side by side most of the time, and I only introduce them in the bathroom under my supervision.
They sniff each other and both seem very startled and then harlow chases after her. Usually they separate but occasionally these encounters turn into spraying wars and they both squeek and seem stressed out, which I do not want to do!
I usually separate them after 15 minutes or so. I do this once or twice a day.
I reward them with a piece of raisin if they sniff each other and are nice, and I use a kind, soft tone of voice when they sniff each other as well which seems to help a little.
I'd really like some suggestions that I havent heard yet. Ive even used vanilla extract under the aggressive one's nose to through her scent off.
Is this common?
Do they normally take very long to get used to each other?
Im concerned, my apartment isnt very big to have 2 large cages and I really want them to be companions!
Thanks!
- Luxy
So I've had my first chin, Harlow, for about 7 months now. She's just over a year old and is very very friendly and comfortable with me. She never bites, she always wants to be held and scratched. I thought she would like to have another chin to keep her company while I'm not here, especially while she is still young, as I know they are more accepting at a younger age.
So last weekend I picked up another female who needed to be rehomed, and she is nearly 9 months old.
She's very timid and isn't a biter, I made sure before I adopted her.
I know it's only been a week, but they really don't seem to like each other.
Harlow seems very aggressive towards Sienna (my newest addition). They have separate cages that I keep side by side most of the time, and I only introduce them in the bathroom under my supervision.
They sniff each other and both seem very startled and then harlow chases after her. Usually they separate but occasionally these encounters turn into spraying wars and they both squeek and seem stressed out, which I do not want to do!
I usually separate them after 15 minutes or so. I do this once or twice a day.
I reward them with a piece of raisin if they sniff each other and are nice, and I use a kind, soft tone of voice when they sniff each other as well which seems to help a little.
I'd really like some suggestions that I havent heard yet. Ive even used vanilla extract under the aggressive one's nose to through her scent off.
Is this common?
Do they normally take very long to get used to each other?
Im concerned, my apartment isnt very big to have 2 large cages and I really want them to be companions!
Thanks!
- Luxy