AstonishedTrowel
Member
Hi guys 
I'll try to keep a long story short...
I rehomed two sisters in June who are approx 10 months old. Both are cage aggressive and have delivered several nasty bites, they will leg it from which ever part of the cage to get you. After losing some confidence I compromised and now they're trained to come to the door where they are happy to be picked up.
Trudy was the worst for biting and I ended up using forced socialisation, which plus her needing surgery + aftercare has resulted in a much sweeter girl.
However, the past two months Juniper has changed and is randomly attacking hands outside the cage. I genuinely cannot figure out a reason for this, it's unpredictable, draws blood and doesn't respond to eeps. She will come back time after time, even if I remove my hand she will seek it out. She sometimes hangs on, sometimes not, but doesn't show any behavioural indicators of aggression or fear. I'm stumped, this makes me not want to interact with her (a shame as she is picking up trick training and enjoying it, I hoped this would help but it hasn't). It's like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde as other times she's happy to be picked up, takes treats gently and licks baby food from your finger. I do not think forced socialisation would help her, plus its a last resort. I also don't think I have the confidence to not draw back when she bites to try and discourage the behaviour.
I really don't know what to do, I am stumped and every time she bites I lose a whole lot of trust in her.
Any opinions, insights, advice or suggestions would be most welcome. Thank you so much if you made it this far!
I'll try to keep a long story short...
I rehomed two sisters in June who are approx 10 months old. Both are cage aggressive and have delivered several nasty bites, they will leg it from which ever part of the cage to get you. After losing some confidence I compromised and now they're trained to come to the door where they are happy to be picked up.
Trudy was the worst for biting and I ended up using forced socialisation, which plus her needing surgery + aftercare has resulted in a much sweeter girl.
However, the past two months Juniper has changed and is randomly attacking hands outside the cage. I genuinely cannot figure out a reason for this, it's unpredictable, draws blood and doesn't respond to eeps. She will come back time after time, even if I remove my hand she will seek it out. She sometimes hangs on, sometimes not, but doesn't show any behavioural indicators of aggression or fear. I'm stumped, this makes me not want to interact with her (a shame as she is picking up trick training and enjoying it, I hoped this would help but it hasn't). It's like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde as other times she's happy to be picked up, takes treats gently and licks baby food from your finger. I do not think forced socialisation would help her, plus its a last resort. I also don't think I have the confidence to not draw back when she bites to try and discourage the behaviour.
I really don't know what to do, I am stumped and every time she bites I lose a whole lot of trust in her.
Any opinions, insights, advice or suggestions would be most welcome. Thank you so much if you made it this far!
