Hello everyone!
I've had Chinchillas since I was a kid. Unfortunetly, I took care of them the wrong way in terms of treats(Raisins, etc.). So they lasted me almost 10 years but definitely not 15. Luckily, now under the management of a local breeder I'm learning the proper way to care for them.
Anyway, I just got a brand new 5 month old male, and he has to be the most skittish chinchilla I've ever seen. This little guy wall surfs whenever I even approach the cage to talk to him. And not the happy wall surfing, the "I GOTTA GET AWAY" kind. He also barked at me, and though I don't speak Chinchilla I'm pretty sure he was cursing me out.
So, my plan of action is to not even talk to him or even approach the cage for a full week(except for food and water changes). In a week's time I'll approach the cage and attempt to talk to him again. A week later I'll give him treats through the cage, and so forth.
Please let me know if this is a sound plan. Also, let me know if there's anything I can do to better my chances of success.
My other male, who is 1 year old, is finally now coming around after having him for about a month. He takes treats from me but, he shakes his head sometimes when I pet his head between the ears. He has no issues taking food from my hand. Still not really picking him up but we're definitely progressing towards that.
I think this is the best part about owning a Chinchilla. Forming the bond. My wife and I joke about it, referencing it as "Sahelu" from the Avatar movie. But it's like that. A creature that instinctively fears you ends up being your friend. Except for the case of kits, them little guys will just imitate mom, so if mom loves you they'll love you.
Anyway, any and all advice is welcomed.
I've had Chinchillas since I was a kid. Unfortunetly, I took care of them the wrong way in terms of treats(Raisins, etc.). So they lasted me almost 10 years but definitely not 15. Luckily, now under the management of a local breeder I'm learning the proper way to care for them.
Anyway, I just got a brand new 5 month old male, and he has to be the most skittish chinchilla I've ever seen. This little guy wall surfs whenever I even approach the cage to talk to him. And not the happy wall surfing, the "I GOTTA GET AWAY" kind. He also barked at me, and though I don't speak Chinchilla I'm pretty sure he was cursing me out.
So, my plan of action is to not even talk to him or even approach the cage for a full week(except for food and water changes). In a week's time I'll approach the cage and attempt to talk to him again. A week later I'll give him treats through the cage, and so forth.
Please let me know if this is a sound plan. Also, let me know if there's anything I can do to better my chances of success.
My other male, who is 1 year old, is finally now coming around after having him for about a month. He takes treats from me but, he shakes his head sometimes when I pet his head between the ears. He has no issues taking food from my hand. Still not really picking him up but we're definitely progressing towards that.
I think this is the best part about owning a Chinchilla. Forming the bond. My wife and I joke about it, referencing it as "Sahelu" from the Avatar movie. But it's like that. A creature that instinctively fears you ends up being your friend. Except for the case of kits, them little guys will just imitate mom, so if mom loves you they'll love you.
Anyway, any and all advice is welcomed.