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Chinchillas are not receptive when you verbally rebuke, hit, or spank them in a fit of anger. The physical actions can cause wounds and abscessing. The physical actions don’t serve a purpose because your pet already has a sensitive body. Chinchillas are already fearful and chewing them out verbally will do nothing but worsen the condition.
The negative verbal actions are not effective at all. Since they are fearful, when their owner treats them as such, they start to feel withdrawn and stressed out. Like a human, they can feel your hostility and anger. In turn, they will become more defensive. You should never blow in their face to punish them. The germs from your air can transmit onto them. They are susceptible to catching a virus, the cold or the flu.
When a chinchilla gets hostile, they will spray urine. They are acting out on their need to withdraw. They still feel defensive, and you may not know why. The withdrawals won’t start until the root cause of it is revealed. When the owner finds out what the problem is, the pet will feel better and can be safe in their habitat. They will definitely make a change when they sense that you are not trying to put them down (degrade).
The Proper Way
The key to being able to discipline a pet chinchilla is actually showing genuine care, compassion and fondness for it. As a response, the chinchilla will be more accepting, calm and obedient. If the exotic pet does happen to do things you’d prefer it not to, a stern warning is sufficient. A firm ‘No’ is the best thing to do to discipline a pet chinchilla. However, it would be wise not to overuse the word as it will push the pet into a sensitive or protective state.
Some owners will really have trouble in getting in the habit of saying ‘No’ as there are chinchillas with no particular personalities. These chinchillas are quite vocal and tend to be harsh, abrasive and/or moody. Chinchillas can and will know when their owner’s mood has settled down and has stopped being hostile. Once they are sure that no harm is intended for them, they will gradually warm up and learn to approach the owner again.
As long as you show your pet genuine love, concern and compassion, they will respond to you with a more accepting reaction. When you give them a warning, do it in a stern, but loving manner. Don’t get in the habit of just saying “no” all the time. Doing this will just take your pet back to square 1. That’s not a good idea. On the other hand, there are some chinchillas that have no personality and tend to be harsh, abrasive or moody. These kinds of pets are very vocal.
Too Withdrawn or Hostile
Should a pet chinchilla be already withdrawn due to negligence or abuse, it is best to have its behavior rehabbed. Rehabilitation is often either instructed or performed by a veterinary expert. As an owner, you will have to be mature about the situation and be extra loving and careful of the exotic animal. Being calm, non-threatening and patient is a must in helping rehabilitate and discipline a pet chinchilla.
When Disciplining Goes Awry
Chinchillas are naturally wary, fearful and fidgety; heightened voice tones and negative vibes could escalate their fear quickly. If treated in such a way, chinchillas will withdraw, avoid the owner, and become extremely stressed out. Like humans, pets like chinchillas are aware of heightened emotions like anger and hostility. In reaction to it, they will become defensive and overprotective. Abusive means used to discipline a chinchilla will only most likely result in a rebellious pet. Chinchillas are known to spray urine at their target when hostile.
Owners who are not abusive (verbally or physically) that get sprayed on don’t often know where such behavior comes from. There is, however, always a root cause for such animal behavior and will most likely have something to do with falling short of the pet’s needs. In the chinchilla’s case, the issue would be safety.
You have to be very mature to take care of an exotic animal such as a chinchila. Justchinchilla that you have to be calm, calm and non-threatening. You also have to have patience because changes just don’t happen immediately. You’ll have to look past it and do your part to help in the transformation. The chinchilla is scared and they may pretend to be threatening, but they’re really not. You must continue to love them, be compassionate, tender, continuously giving them reassurance and lots of warmth. In time, they will change to the loving pet chinchilla you want them to be.
