In a message dated 3/25/00 3:35:43 PM Central Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Hello,
My suggestion to you would be to try putting the gerbil on your shoulder for
just a couple seconds each day or whenever you play with it - just set it on
your shoulder and take your hands away so it doesn't try to use them as an
escape route, then when you're ready for the gerbil to come off, simply off
your hands again....only do it for a couple seconds at first - depending on
the gerbil and how familar/comfortable it is with you......and as it gets
used to it, it'll stay longer and longer without trying to jump off....they
have very short attention spans, keep in mind, so you'll have to be very
patient, but gerbils love games and challenges, so be persistent and
consistent and I think they'll eventually get the hang of it :o)
A word of caution however, when gerbils are startled they instinctively jump
and it doesn't seem to occur to them that it could be hazardous..... I've
alway preferred to carry my gerbils in my hands or in a big pocket or
something with a little more security, so as to avoid the possibility of an
accident resulting in the injury of the much loved animal...
-Adie >>
I've always trained my gerbils this way too..sometimes it's good if you back
up against a wall and lean on it so they don't get away from you by jumping
off your back. I always started with very short training sessions (the
gerbils sits on your shoulder for just a few seconds..let it get back in the
tank..take it out for a few seconds..let it go in the tank..etc....and do
this a couple times a day)
Angie
The Gerbil Guide
http://members.aol.com/angh2715/index.htm
Adorable ~N~ Gentle Gerbils
The Ang Clan
AGS Member
