Can I trick train my new baby?

[poniesandphotos]

I've always wanted a hedgehog but was never in the right place in my life to have one until now. I met my future baby today and put down a deposit. I've been trying to research and learn everything I can before I bring my little guy home. I feel like I've gotten a pretty good handle on care basics, have my cage mostly set up and the rest of

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[beatrice_doll]

ZOMG. Totally awesome. Where did you get him? As in, which state? I have a breeder here in colorado, but I'm looking around.

I have taught my hedgie to climb stairs (she has a wee staircase up to my bed- more like a ramp), and she knows her name. I don't know about training them to do tricks. I basically just taught wedgie to come when called, then set food up on the ramp so she would come when called. She was a little older when i got her, so it took longer for me to teach her, but she's a happy little toodle. Good luck, and keep us updated!

[poniesandphotos]

I'm in Colorado as well, actually. The breeder is a very small one- they have only a few females and breed only a few litters a day. If you want I can send you a PM with a link to their website.

Do you let her sleep with you? I can imagine that would get pokey?

[beatrice_doll]

Please do! I'd love to know.

Yes, actually my boyfriend's hog and mine sleep with me. You can't do it when they are babies, bu wedgie sleeps with me ach night. She snuggles on my chest. And she snores. I'll post the video here later. :)

[fresh_tart]

We just figured out that Tucker snores, too! It's ADORABLE! We thought at first that he might have hedgie sleep apnea or something, because it sounded like wheezing. So, so cute. *on pins and needles for video*

[pwalkeri]

Sometimes baby's dispositions will change around their first quilling, but I hope he stays easy-going and fun!

Some hedgehogs can be potty-trained (depends on the hog), but I don't think I've ever read of someone training a hog to do tricks. I'm not really sure how you'd go about doing that! I'm not sure they'd respond to a clicker-like training, though. Probably just treat reinforcement and, again, even then not all hogs can be trained. Have you tried the hedgehog forums? There are links on the comm's info page :) They may have subforums about training.

[poniesandphotos]

He was quilling today, actually. I was expecting him to be much grumpier- his brother was much more standoffish about being handled. I have my fingers crossed he doesn't get grumpier about it as time goes on.

I have browsed around a few forums but haven't signed up for any of them yet. I'll have to look more closely. The one thread I did find on the subject pretty much said that they did what they wanted but that no one had spent a lot of time or effort in training attempts.

Thanks!