Hello! I have a problem with one of my gerbils. My pet store specialist can't seem to help me either. I have 4 male gerbils since the end of July. They have a home which is about 80x50x35. I was adviced wrongly and I currently have an order out for a custom 120x50x55 home. They have plenty of bedding, housing, toys, bathing blaces, etc. It'll be better in the future, but for now we have to work with what we got. 2 of them (Fudge and Oreo) are really sweet, curious but still cautious, but take their snacks from my hand without a problem. One of them (Boba) is extra sweet. Loves to hang out with me on his own. Climbs up on my arms and shoulders and hangs around. One of my gerbils(Zip) is a trouble maker, though. He seems the largest of the clan. He walks up my hand without fear to get a treat and is always curious to see what happens around their home. The problem is when I enter their home with my hand. When I want to clean their bathing area, wipe something clear or rearrange some of the bedding that fell into the bathing cube, he will lunge, attack and hold on. He had me pretty damn good a couple of times. I was bleeding quite a bit. I now have anti-cut gloves, which helps me not getting hurt. He still bites and tries to get me out. I don't respond, obviously and just go about what I was doing. Sometimes i push him away softly and continue. Today, my mom tried to feed one of them at the door of their enclosure and he lunged at her too. Thank god she was wearing a glove. I just don't know what to do anymore. Do you have any tips on how I can make him stop being so extremely territorial? Thank you in advance. 😘
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You've gotten the first thing sorted with those gloves, and not responding when he bites that's a great start! That's usually what I recommend with bitey gerbils, gloved hand and offer food, ideally his favourite food, and don't respond or move if he bites, just stay very still. I'd also make sure to turn your head away and don't look at him when he's comes out, eye contact could make him feel threatened and make the behaviour worse. Hopefully with some time and careful positive reinforcement he can learn that biting doesn't work and that hands bring good things so there's no reason to be scared, it may take a long time though, especially if the behaviour is really ingrained. But even small amounts of progress like taking a minute or two to bite instead of a few seconds is good progress worth celebrating. It's important to take it slow, be patient and minimise anything that could possibly be exacerbating it, and hopefully he'll start coming round. Good luck! I'll be here if you need anymore help 💚