Chinesesy Sisters - Page 6

**Cinnamon Bear** · 03-05-2017, 07:05 PM

Ok, it's done, they are seperated. There weren't any fights but Kylie was afraid to enter Mylie house. I saw that as fear & she shouldn't have to be afraid.

After I seperated them Kylie was happy & running on her wheel & eating out her own food dish.

Mylie was looking for her sister, that was sad but she did run on her wheel too.

So everybody is safe & sound. They will each get their own food bowl & sand bath.

Just thought I'd let you know that it's over now. Thankfully it wasn't too late. I didn't want anything going wrong. Kind of sad but leaving them together was getting risky, the bigger they were getting.

I felt bad & tried to put them back together but it was too late, it didn't seem like they would get along anymore. They didn't fight be they would have if they were together for any length of time.

I feel so bad for them. I hope I did the right thing?

cypher · 03-05-2017, 11:17 PM

It may take them a little time to adjust but don't feel bad, better too soon than too late & I'm sure they'll both be very happy in their own cages now, a lot less worry for you & you'll have more space in each cage for enrichment too without having to worry about them fighting over things!

flowerfairy · 03-06-2017, 06:27 AM

Well spotted. You have done exactly the right thing. It will be easier for Kylie now. Hope Mylie settles down soon.

**Cinnamon Bear** · 03-06-2017, 06:43 AM

You guys were right, thanks Cypher & FF. It will be better for Kylie & Mylie is adjusting. I'm going to make both of their cages look nice today. Put in a better environment for them.

Do I need to let them come to me or can I struggle to catch them in order to hold them?..

Yesterday I held each of them, Mylie jumped out of my hands into the bedding where Kylie didn't seem to mind. She went & ran in her wheel after I put her down. She isn't afraid of me.

What's the best taming method?

AmityvilleHams · 03-06-2017, 06:53 AM

The best method is letting them come to you,but also giving encouragement and positive reinforcement.Whether you're working with small animals,dogs,horses,birds,cats,or any other animal it all comes down to positive reinforcement.Animals generally learn the same way(positive reinforcement,as mentioned).I've used positive reinforcement with any animal,whether it be excitable large breed dogs or tiny hamsters among other animals,and it always works.The only difference I've seen is some animals learn from pressure(gentle,never harsh or as any form of punishment as this will never work),though I would say this doesn't apply to small animals or fish of course!

**Cinnamon Bear** · 03-06-2017, 07:03 AM

So your saying that catching Kylie is gentle pressure she can learn from.

One vet said to get Izzy used to handling but that of course didn't work as Izzy clearly didn't like that.

Miley isn't going to like that either but I have a good chance with Kylie in getting her used to being picked up?

I always believed not to chase an animal around, I don't know if this applies to Kylie or not? As she could easily get used to being picked up w/o biting or struggling to get away.

Any thoughts?

AmityvilleHams · 03-06-2017, 07:10 AM

I would say no.That's forcing her which is the opposite of what you want to do,and pressure would only apply to certain animals and would be incredibly difficult to really work with in most small pets.Horses and dogs yes,but small delicate creatures?Definitely not.

Perhaps your vet doesn't understand the prey animal mentality,but you can't really force any animal to get "used" to handling

They either allow it or they don't,and you can encourage with positive reinforcement involved,but to force it is just not doing any good and in fact would only cause damage to your bond.

cypher · 03-06-2017, 07:15 AM

Give them a chance to adjust to their new cages & being alone for a few days CB then try to let them get used to coming to you, it may take time & patience but most will come to your hand for a treat, that's enough to begin with then as they get used to that & climb onto your hand you can gently lift it a little then put it back down, they should get comfortable with that then you can move on to picking them up or gently cupping a hand over them & lifting them.

**Cinnamon Bear** · 03-06-2017, 07:19 AM

Ok I see

I'll have to wait patiently. If they are pretty much a watch pet, at least I can talk to them & one of them let's me feed her seeds, not sure which one tho

So no chasing then it is

Thin Lizzy · 03-06-2017, 08:03 AM

Sorry to hear you had to separate them, but you saw something that set off alarm bells in your head. So great to hear Kylie's loving her own cage, her confidence will grow.
Let them adjust to having their own space then let them come to you. All you can do is encourage them by talking to them and maybe try the tissue trick.