Gerbils are shy and adorable, and full of curiosity. This animal is a member of the rodent family that lives all over the world. If you are able to take the time to properly tame your gerbil, your gerbil will likely be less shy or aggressive, and can bring love and happiness to you and your family.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing to Tame a Gerbil
Step 1. Understand the gerbil's temperament
Before you can tame it, it is important that you first understand its temperament. While gerbils are playful animals, they can be shy and aggressive when they are afraid. Therefore, by understanding it you can tame it well.
- Basically, gerbils are shy animals. However, gerbils love to be sociable, have a high curiosity, and can get along well with their owners' families. Gerbils don't like to be left alone or isolated.
- Gerbils are very curious about things around them and are very active. If you have more than one gerbil, chances are they will play together all day long.
- Gerbils are very protective of their territory or territory, so you need to be careful when bringing new gerbils into your home or putting them in a cage with an existing group of gerbils.
- Gerbils rarely bite and only show this form of aggression when they are afraid.
- Unlike other rodents (eg rats or hamsters), gerbils do not produce a foul odor.
Step 2. Prepare a cage for your gerbil
Buy a cage that can accommodate your gerbil before you buy it. By preparing the cage and creating a comfortable living environment, the gerbil taming process can be more effective.
- Place the cage in an area where there are not many people so that the gerbil is not surprised by too much activity in the house. Gerbils are curious and enjoy watching and being part of the action or activity they are paying attention to. Gerbils also need to get used to the noise or movement shown by humans.
- Fill the cage with bedding such as corn cobs or pine or aspen shavings. You can also use alfalfa grass as a filler or additional bedding for other bedding options.
- Gerbils eat a mixture of rodent pellets, seeds, fruits and vegetables, and insects. Therefore, provide a variety of food for your gerbil in its cage. In addition, you also need to prepare a water bottle in the cage so that your gerbil does not become dehydrated. However, gerbils are originally desert animals, so you probably won't see gerbils drinking very often.
- Buy cage accessories that your gerbil can bite or use to hide and satisfy his curiosity.
- Gerbils are clean animals, so you need to keep their cage clean to keep them happy and healthy.
Step 3. Buy a gerbil
You can buy a pair of young gerbils. If you buy just one gerbil, taming it will be more difficult (and you'll have to take care of it a lot more) due to the lack of entertainment and playmates. Therefore, it's a good idea to buy two gerbils. The younger your gerbil, the more likely you are to succeed in taming the gerbil.
- Don't buy gerbils under 5 weeks old to ensure that the gerbil you are raising has spent enough time with its mother and is healthy.
- Whenever possible, buy gerbils from trusted cultivators. This is done to ensure that the gerbil you buy is healthy and does not have any congenital physical defects.
- Have your gerbil checked for health. Make sure his fur is thick and shiny, his eyes are bright and shiny, his nose is clean, and his teeth are straight (not crooked or crooked). If you notice any problems or abnormalities in his body, ask the cultivator or choose another gerbil that looks healthier.
Step 4. Let your gerbil feel comfortable in his new home
Moving a gerbil from her old home or cage to a new one is traumatic for her. Even if your instincts tell him to get him out of the cage and play with him, it's a good idea to leave him alone to recover from the tension and get used to his new surroundings. This can help the taming process run more effectively.
Gerbils can take a few hours to a few days to adjust to their new home before you can try holding them. Otherwise, the gerbil will feel too stressed and cannot be tamed
Step 5. Make a taming plan
Develop a plan that can be followed consistently as taming gerbils takes time and patience. By making a plan, you have the opportunity to look at the gerbil's personality and other factors that may influence the taming process, such as the gerbil's age (e.g. older or very young gerbils being kept).
- Make sure the workout is fun for both the gerbil and you. Exercises, even as simple as running on your lap, can be fun for a gerbil.
- When developing a taming training plan, make sure you consider your gerbil's personality. Some gerbils may want to jump into your arms without being trained, while others may take some time to get used to your presence.
- Because exercise needs to be done regularly and continuously, set short-term and long-term goals. You can develop an exercise plan by setting daily, weekly, and monthly goals for your gerbil.
- For example, you could try to train your gerbil for a week so that it will jump into your arms without having to sniff your hand first. Make plans for the week to introduce your gerbil to your body odor and personality. Remember to keep the introduction brief, and try giving him a warm-up treat to get him excited about the workout..
- It's important that you take the long term to tame your gerbil. Taming does not last a short time and requires consistency.
Part 2 of 2: Training a Gerbil
Step 1. Begin the taming process as soon as possible
Gerbils, both young and old, can do well in taming training when you give them the right direction from the very beginning of your relationship. Follow the taming plan that has been created to keep you in the process.
- Gerbils, regardless of age, can take taming training.
- If your gerbil is old enough, it's important that you don't give up immediately if the taming process takes longer. You can immediately tame him after he knows and is familiar with the family. However, keep in mind that taming training may require more time, effort, and patience.
- Keep in mind that gerbils can be intelligent and loyal pets. With proper communication and demeanor, you can train your gerbil, regardless of age.
Step 2. Wash your hands before handling the gerbil
Gerbils are very sensitive to odors so before you handle them, you need to wash your hands thoroughly. This can help calm the gerbil and make him more motivated to jump into your arms and play.
Don't use soap that's too scented to keep your gerbil from feeling scared or reluctant to play
Step 3. Build the gerbil's initial trust in you
Before a gerbil can be touched or touched often, you first need to build its trust. The process is quite simple; You will often need to put your hands in the cage.
- Put your hand in the cage to clean the litter in the cage or just let the gerbil sniff your hand. Your gerbil may want (or be reluctant) to jump into your arms.
- Make sure he knows where you are before you put your hand in the cage so he doesn't startle.
- To make the trust-building process easier, try putting some grain in your hand when you put your hand in the cage.
- Remember to stay calm as you do this, because gerbils can smell the adrenaline in your sweat.
Step 4. Hold your gerbil
Once you've earned his trust, you can start holding him more often. With proper grip and the ability to remain calm, you can hold it for hours or let it explore your body for fun.
- As with building trust, it's important that you stay calm and don't panic when you're holding the gerbil.
- It's important that you hold your gerbil well so you don't frighten or hurt him.
- Take the gerbil with both hands (hands like 'scooping') and hold your gerbil gently and carefully. You can also put seeds in your hand to keep your gerbil calm when you hold it.
- Once you are more trained and experienced, you can hold it with just one hand. Never take a gerbil by its tail as this could injure it.
- When picking up and holding a gerbil, it's a good idea to stand with your back to the cage. This can sometimes make small animals (including gerbils) feel calmer because they can't see where they want to go back to feel safe. This way, the animal will not struggle to get back into the place.
- Keep in mind that some gerbils don't like being held. Try and train shy gerbils to let them know that you are there to take care of them (and not scare them).
Step 5. Socialize with your gerbil
An important component of training is showing your gerbil to other gerbils and people. This can keep him happy and comfortable in any situation, and reduce the chances of aggressive behavior occurring. It is also beneficial in making it more docile.
- Gerbils can be aggressive towards other animals or people. However, this behavior can be prevented through proper socialization.
- Help your gerbil feel comfortable around people by presenting him with positive and calming situations with other people. Tell people who have just seen your gerbil to let them sniff them first so they don't feel too threatened.
- Socialize with your gerbil by removing him from the cage and letting him explore the environment. It's also important that you invite other people (such as a relative or close friend) over to your house so that your gerbil can get used to and feel comfortable with other people visiting.
- Make sure every aspect of socialization is calming and positive.
- If you want to introduce two gerbils, place them in a clean, odor-free area. This way, the two gerbils will get used to each other's presence and, likely, won't exhibit aggressive behavior.
Step 6. Be patient and calm when caring for a gerbil
Patience is the most important and most difficult aspect of the gerbil taming process. If you are calm and happy, your gerbil will be calm and happy.
- The taming process will be more successful if you remain patient in training it. If you can make sure the training process goes well and is enjoyable for both you and the gerbil, chances are you can afford to practice patiently.
- Scolding or giving physical punishment will only interfere with the taming process. In addition, such punishment can make the gerbil fear you and others.
Step 7. Use positive reinforcement and don't use physical punishment and yell at it
Rewarding a gerbil for positive behavior is an important part of the taming process. Understand that your gerbil makes mistakes sometimes and you shouldn't use physical punishment or scold him if he makes a mistake.
- Positive reinforcement can train your gerbil by rewarding an action you expect him to repeat, such as jumping on his arm.
- Give your gerbil a treat like seeds or fruit as a treat.
Step 8. Immediately react to his behavior
Your gerbil may bite at times or be reluctant to hold. It's important that you react immediately to his behavior. This way, you can strengthen your taming practice, as well as make sure your gerbil isn't afraid of you or others because you're providing the right affirmations.
- Verbal or physical punishment is counterproductive. These punishments will only frighten and confuse him, and prevent him from becoming a docile gerbil.
- For example, if your gerbil bites you, use affirmative sentences like "No" to let him know that the behavior is unacceptable.
- Never hit, yell, or blow a gerbil in the face. Also, don't submerge it in water. These punishments are not only counterproductive, they can also cause serious health problems such as convulsions.
Step 9. Have fun with your gerbil
Gerbils are adorable animals that can provide a lot of fun. By making sure that you enjoy spending time with them, the taming process will be easier.
Tips
- Gently stroke your gerbil and talk to him in a gentle tone of voice.
- Never grip or squeeze a gerbil.
- Never lift a gerbil's body from its tail.
- Hold two gerbils at the same time. Gerbil feels more comfortable when he is with his friends.
- Give your gerbil a treat or a treat if he exhibits good behavior.
