Oly's mom
10-02-2008, 07:39 AM
Hi all-
Sorry to be pesky with so many questions - I'm trying hard to do this right!
I think I finally have Oly on a decent diet - although he still doesn't eat as many veggies as I like (he prefers squash, sweet potato, and rose hips to green leafy veggies!). He mostly eats squirrel block, 4 varieties of rodent block, and monkey chow as well as small amounts of favored fruit (apple, banana, cranberries, grape) and 2 acorns per day (or hazelnuts/macadamia nuts/walnuts) - so I think we have the calcium-phosphorous issue covered.
But I do have a behaviour concern. I realize he is a wild animal tamed, and not a domestic pet -- but I also would like him to be somewhat trained.
The concern I have is a game he has started, which I call "hit and run". He runs across the bed, BOUNCES off whatever he can, and then pounces on me - then dashes off in another direction. Great fun, for both of us. :wahoo However, as often as not, when he pounces (or bounces, for that matter), he appears to be aiming for my face. His nails are DARNED sharp and I now appear to have some bizarre form of acne.:crazy Is there a way to continue the game but discourage him from using my face as a platform? The more I put my hands up to protect my face and divert the landing the more fun the game appears to be, encouraging him to aim for my face.
The other game he has taken to is "wrestling" with my hands -- laying on his back on my lap and making a high pitch chortle/chirp while tussling with my hands. Occasionally he gets too rough and bites - but responds immediately to a loud "No". I'm presuming this form of rough play is normal and does not need to be discouraged?
Any advice on forms of play (or criticism of his diet) greatly appreciated. He really seems to get a charge of the games he has created - and I don't mind dealing with the scratches on my arms/legs/and chest.....but as I DO work with the public, I would prefer to make face landings a non-option! (Besides, I like my vision and he occasionally comes dangerously close to my eyes!).
Thanks-
-Sandra
Sorry to be pesky with so many questions - I'm trying hard to do this right!
I think I finally have Oly on a decent diet - although he still doesn't eat as many veggies as I like (he prefers squash, sweet potato, and rose hips to green leafy veggies!). He mostly eats squirrel block, 4 varieties of rodent block, and monkey chow as well as small amounts of favored fruit (apple, banana, cranberries, grape) and 2 acorns per day (or hazelnuts/macadamia nuts/walnuts) - so I think we have the calcium-phosphorous issue covered.
But I do have a behaviour concern. I realize he is a wild animal tamed, and not a domestic pet -- but I also would like him to be somewhat trained.
The concern I have is a game he has started, which I call "hit and run". He runs across the bed, BOUNCES off whatever he can, and then pounces on me - then dashes off in another direction. Great fun, for both of us. :wahoo However, as often as not, when he pounces (or bounces, for that matter), he appears to be aiming for my face. His nails are DARNED sharp and I now appear to have some bizarre form of acne.:crazy Is there a way to continue the game but discourage him from using my face as a platform? The more I put my hands up to protect my face and divert the landing the more fun the game appears to be, encouraging him to aim for my face.
The other game he has taken to is "wrestling" with my hands -- laying on his back on my lap and making a high pitch chortle/chirp while tussling with my hands. Occasionally he gets too rough and bites - but responds immediately to a loud "No". I'm presuming this form of rough play is normal and does not need to be discouraged?
Any advice on forms of play (or criticism of his diet) greatly appreciated. He really seems to get a charge of the games he has created - and I don't mind dealing with the scratches on my arms/legs/and chest.....but as I DO work with the public, I would prefer to make face landings a non-option! (Besides, I like my vision and he occasionally comes dangerously close to my eyes!).
Thanks-
-Sandra