Lucy attacking my husband!!!!

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

Need some help here. I need names of rehabbers in Southwest Missouri. Lucy attacks and bites my husband every single evening, really hard. She has never bitten me and is so sweet and affectionate I can't believe I'm going to have to give her up. My heart is absolutely broken. She is just viscious to him without any provocation at all. He can just be watching tv and she just jumps on him and bites him. She has always jumped at anyone except me, so I never let her out while anyone besides my husband and I are home. But it's just out of hand.

I know it's perfectly normal for her to be a one person animal and bite others who try to touch her or mess with her, but to just attack someone that lives in the same house with her for no reason?!

What else can I do?!

[SammysMom]

How long has it been going on? Did he begin using new soap, deodorant, cologne etc? Sammy goes thru this during "rut" and this time he has chosen me as the "enemy" :shakehead
If that is what it is (seasonal) it does pass but it is very upsetting. How old is she?

[stepnstone]

I had a similar problem with my girl who loved my son but tried to attack his girlfriend when he brought her over.

I tend to think it's a jealousy issue, has your husband interacted with her at all in the past?

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

He has always been a part of her life. Not really hands on with feeding and such, but always there, and she always used to hide in his sweatshirt hood & play in his hair & stuff. She started jumping at everyone except me at a fairly young age, you know, the jump at the hands to warn them to stay away? Then she began nipping everyone when she jumped at them, then drawing blood, so that's when I stopped letting her out if anyone was there besides me & my husband. She has just continued to bite harder and harder and the last few nights she has bitten him really hard and deep. She's 6 months old. I work, so I can only let her out in the evenings or I'd just let her out when he wasn't home. I mean, he can just walk thru the kitchen or living room and she's on him.

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

P.S. He hasn't changed deodorant or soap or anything.

[stepnstone]

I also had a similar problem with my Annie and my wife although to a lesser degree...
As a baby she would sleep on my wife's shoulder and hide in her hair too, as she grew older I was the one she imprinted on. With my wife Annie would jump on her but when she tried to interact with her she would get nipped hard, sometimes drawing blood. With me she will lay her teeth on me but never bites down.
My wife of course does wear makeup, lotion, perfume, etc. That's not going to stop. We were never sure of what the association was just knew we had to find a way to get her to change her behavior with another association.
What we did was when my wife got home from work, I would back off or leave the room and my wife would give Annie a treat of something she really liked. M&M, nut, whatever... It did change her attitude and although she was still not overly friendly she looked forward to my wife giving her that treat when she got home from work. This went on for quite some time. Eventually we weaned Annie from the expected treat but it served it's purpose in changing her association with my wife. Now my wife just makes sure she says hello to Annie when she comes home from work, Annie still does not interact with her as she does me but at least when she does my wife is not getting bit.

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

I also had a similar problem with my Annie and my wife although to a lesser degree...
As a baby she would sleep on my wife's shoulder and hide in her hair too, as she grew older I was the one she imprinted on. With my wife Annie would jump on her but when she tried to interact with her she would get nipped hard, sometimes drawing blood. With me she will lay her teeth on me but never bites down.
My wife of course does wear makeup, lotion, perfume, etc. That's not going to stop. We were never sure of what the association was just knew we had to find a way to get her to change her behavior with another association.
What we did was when my wife got home from work, I would back off or leave the room and my wife would give Annie a treat of something she really liked. M&M, nut, whatever... It did change her attitude and although she was still not overly friendly she looked forward to my wife giving her that treat when she got home from work. This went on for quite some time. Eventually we weaned Annie from the expected treat but it served it's purpose in changing her association with my wife. Now my wife just makes sure she says hello to Annie when she comes home from work, Annie still does not interact with her as she does me but at least when she does my wife is not getting bit.

Thank you for your help. My husband used to give Lucy a pecan when he came home from work because he got home first AND I wanted Lucy to stop jumping at him and thought, like you did, that him giving her a treat might help. He stopped giving her the treat because when he opened the feeding door she started to not only jump, but nip also. Now if he opened the feeding door to give her something she'd try to take a finger.

[stosh2010]

I am so sorry that this is happening. My Rama Rota did this to me at age one year ( 2 times) then calmed down...for 5 months...then got aggressive again at 18 months old and bit my face twice....and stayed that way. He was my first so I made some armor ( a helmet ) and I wear welders gloves.
He is lovey-dovey with RamaMama but charges me--- even if I just approach his cage.
I have accepted that as "normal" and I hope he mellows with age...ha !

[stepnstone]

:wave123 stosh, I just knew the creator of the attack helmet would be chiming in sooner or later. :D

Wish I had more answers for you but unless one could get in their little minds it may just remain a mystery as to why some act this way and some don't.

The only other theory I can come up with is most animals have a sensitive sense of smell, a man's scent (i.e.) hormones/testosterone is very different then a woman's. Since ideally they only interact with males of their species during mating, maybe your husbands "scent" is viewed as a threat.

Not saying that we men stink but some of you ladies have been implying that for years. :rotfl

[skarabrae]

GAWD the helmet! Hilarious! :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl

[Rhapsody]

Some times we just have to face the fact that animals do not and will not always like every one....... the first squirrel I raised loved my husband and I, but turned on our son around 5 months old when he started to wild up..... therefore, at 6 months old we set him FREE!!

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

Stosh, I didn't think anything could make me smile today, but you did. :)
However, I do not see my husband sitting (or walking) around in a helmet with welders gloves on. :rotfl

Rhapsody, I'm thinking this is what's in Lucy's and my future. I can't do any type of release where I live, but I do have a call in to a rehabber here where I live and am waiting for her to call me back. I'm sure she'll have a release cage, etc. I was here for Lucy when she couldn't take of herself, I saved her life, and she'll probably be happier free anyway. Notice I'm giving myself a pep talk.

Thanks for the ideas everyone. :(

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

How long has it been going on? Did he begin using new soap, deodorant, cologne etc? Sammy goes thru this during "rut" and this time he has chosen me as the "enemy" :shakehead
If that is what it is (seasonal) it does pass but it is very upsetting. How old is she?

How hard is Sammy biting you?

[virgo062]

Need some help here. I need names of rehabbers in Southwest Missouri. Lucy attacks and bites my husband every single evening, really hard. She has never bitten me and is so sweet and affectionate I can't believe I'm going to have to give her up. My heart is absolutely broken. She is just viscious to him without any provocation at all. He can just be watching tv and she just jumps on him and bites him. She has always jumped at anyone except me, so I never let her out while anyone besides my husband and I are home. But it's just out of hand.

I know it's perfectly normal for her to be a one person animal and bite others who try to touch her or mess with her, but to just attack someone that lives in the same house with her for no reason?!

What else can I do?!

Why do you have to give her up? Squirrels will usually bond with one person. Knothead bites Rick all the time and when he goes to the cage to talk to Knotty he trys to ram him:rotfl My advice to Rick is STAY AWAY FROM THE CAGE!!!! And we will get along puurrrfectly

[Rhapsody]

Why do you have to give her up? IMO - because there is nothing wrong with the squirrel that would deem it a NR and she (the owner) is willing to do whats best for the squirrel and give it its FREEDOM!!

[virgo062]

IMO - because there is nothing wrong with the squirrel that would deem it a NR and she (the owner) is willing to do whats best for the squirrel and give it its FREEDOM!!


Well thats a good point:thumbsup From the post it sounded like she was planning on keeping her...I think everyone has a Knothead in their house...

HAHAHA I just watched your videos...Loved Lucy Vs the Dog Toy

[BamaHam]

Hammy turned on my husband last October....don't know why but they cannot be in the same room together. I let Hammy out when hubby is at work or early in the morning when he is asleep. Thats our time together. He loves my daughters also. I think its because my husband never really interacted with him or held him as a baby. We played with him all the time. Maybe he wants to be dominant male in our family. Don't know but I still have my boy.

[pappy1264]

You have to follow your heart. How do you think she will do outside? Most (even 'pets' do fine, but there are some who have trouble.)

Rhapsody, not trying to piss you off (or anyone) but have to make a point here. Your first squirrel (and I remember, you were on glider central then) got released because he was attacking your son. He was not a NR, but had he not attacked your son, you most likely would have kept him, correct? I am only saying this so no one feels guilt in making their decisions. I agree, if Lucy is unhappy, her best interests come first.

Do you have an area where she could be where she did not have access to attack your husband and see how she does? Many (most) do bond to one person, so what is happening is not unusual. But you have to choose what is best for everyone. My prayers go out to you, not an easy position to be in.

[virgo062]

You have to follow your heart. How do you think she will do outside? Most (even 'pets' do fine, but there are some who have trouble.)

Rhapsody, not trying to piss you off (or anyone) but have to make a point here. Your first squirrel (and I remember, you were on glider central then) got released because he was attacking your son. He was not a NR, but had he not attacked your son, you most likely would have kept him, correct? I am only saying this so no one feels guilt in making their decisions. I agree, if Lucy is unhappy, her best interests come first.

Do you have an area where she could be where she did not have access to attack your husband and see how she does? Many (most) do bond to one person, so what is happening is not unusual. But you have to choose what is best for everyone. My prayers go out to you, not an easy position to be in.


:thumbsup

[Chickenlegs]

Lucy is a squirrel and really WANTS to be in the trees where she can be a SQUIRREL. She's your baby but even if you were alone and she was an inside girl she wouldn't ever be doing what every instinct says she's supposed to do--be free. I've had 2 babies I've had since they were pinkies--umbilical still fresh and they were my darlings--one was aggressive to everybody else and one not. When given a choice to be with mama or be free guess which one they chose? That being said I have a room squirrel (Little Man) always meant to be free--never mean but not petted and played with either. He took MONTHS to go out and even now at a year old he comes in to nap and sleep. He wants his full body massage and head rubbies every night and morning. He waits for me to come to the door and give him goodies (but so do the others released last fall). He'll hop on for a ride to his room. He's free and I'd never close the door to the great outdoors even knowing there's a hawk that flies over way too frequently. He made his choice. We are graced by their love and acceptance but can't make them our pets--only they can do that. Sounds like her best interests are to be released where you can visit often and keep an eye on her. Don't feel sad she's gone. Feel the joy she feels in the trees. We see the world they see through them and it's amazing.

[SammysMom]

Sorry to take so long! Just saw the "how hard does he bite?" question. Let me say HARD!!! It only lasts for a short period and then he is back to his sweet old self. He is an oddity though. He chose to stay inside when offered outside. I knew he needed to be the one to pick his life and now we are stuck with his crazy behaviors! We adapt because we love him though.:D

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

I don't know how to list multiple quotes but I want to answer some questions and tell ya'll what we've decided to do.

Rhapsody & Chickenlegs, the main reason that Lucy is still with us is my own selfishness. I tell myself that I let her out to play every day for a few hours, and that she has a huge cage with branches to climb on & good food & shelter & protection, etc. This helps assuage my guilt for keeping her. The other reason (selfish again) is that I can't let her out where we live because there are a zillion cats that run around our neighborhood and kill eveything in sight and if I did let her go free I'd have to take her way away somewhere & never see her again.

Virgo62, glad you liked the videos. I enjoy Lucy so much & love her to pieces. We're so happy to see each other every morning & every evening. I like to think that she would miss me if she had to leave.

Now, I do have some encouraging news. I told my husband about my thoughts to take Lucy to a rehabber and he had a total fit. He said he didn't want me to give Lucy up and we'd just have to work it all out. I put a t-shirt that he'd worn in her cage on Thursday night to get more used to his scent. Then he has given her a piece of avocado every afternoon & talked to her thru the cage. She did not attack and/or bite him all weekend. He hasn't been looking at her or talking to her while she's out, but she jumped and climbed on him voluntarily off & on during the past few days. He's not wearing gloves; just putting his hands in his pockets or under his shirt. We'll see how this works. I may be just wishful thinking, but so far, so good.

Wish us luck. :thankyou

[SammysMom]

Good luck! Be nice to Dad Lucy!!! He has avocado!!!:D

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

Good luck! Be nice to Dad Lucy!!! He has avocado!!!:D

Very true. :goodpost

[virgo062]

Awesome news WTG DADDY:thumbsup

[virgo062]

:shakehead
Now, I do have some encouraging news. I told my husband about my thoughts to take Lucy to a rehabber and he had a total fit. He said he didn't want me to give Lucy up and we'd just have to work it all out. I put a t-shirt that he'd worn in her cage on Thursday night to get more used to his scent. Then he has given her a piece of avocado every afternoon & talked to her thru the cage. She did not attack and/or bite him all weekend. He hasn't been looking at her or talking to her while she's out, but she jumped and climbed on him voluntarily off & on during the past few days. He's not wearing gloves; just putting his hands in his pockets or under his shirt. We'll see how this works. I may be just wishful thinking, but so far, so good.

Wish us luck. :thankyou

I do wish you all the luck in the world....Maybe Lucy was just hormonal and needed some chocolate or a nice big Budwiser...Maybe she was just tired of all the 9-5 and chores:dono Maybe she just needs some xanex to get through the rest of the day:shakehead Either way I hope it all works out for you:thumbsup

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

:shakehead

I do wish you all the luck in the world....Maybe Lucy was just hormonal and needed some chocolate or a nice big Budwiser...Maybe she was just tired of all the 9-5 and chores:dono Maybe she just needs some xanex to get through the rest of the day:shakehead Either way I hope it all works out for you:thumbsup

:thankyou You know, you could be right, cuz she stole one of those Hershey's Nuggets right out of my hand the other night and had it gobbled down before I could get a chair to get up on the kitchen counter to get up on top of the cabinets to catch her and get it away from her. :shakehead She did come and thank me by wiping her mouth on me when she was done. :rofl4 Damn, I love that squirrel. :Love_Icon