HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: christin@cae.wisc.edu (Christine Haas)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my ferrets?
Keywords: ferret
Date: 1 Jan 93 17:13:22 GMT
Organization: U of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering

In article <3532=gq@rpi.edu> palmj@vccnw02.its.rpi.edu (Jyri L. Palm) writes:
>Well, I must confess, that I did, for the first time very thoroughly
>clean out all the litter boxes, washed them and refilled them with a 
>deep layer of litter.  (For the first time in several weeks that is).
>
If a ferret's litter box is too full, or dirty, it will most likely poop
beside it.  This could have been one of your problems.  Litter boxes need
to be cleaned often.

>SOME QUESTIONS:
>
>Does anyone else have weird ferrets like mine who refuse to eat anything
>but their normal food.  No matter what, they will not even touch or 
>taste people food (except for coke - which is highly regulated).  One of
>them will scratch a banana skin and bite it, but refuse to eat the 
>banana inside.

One of mine will eat ANYTHING (including sweaters, sweatshirts, and socks),
while the other will have nothing to do with it - she only eats her kitten
feed.

>And are ferrets always so "independant" not wanting to be held.  Or it is
>a natural "confined space" reaction to move forward when petted?

Ferrets in general are independant creatures that would rather play than
be held.  However, their age also dictates their behavior.  When they are
young (under 6 months) they usually are squirmish and would rather explore
(however if you get them young you can sometimes train them to be held
in which case they will more likely let you hold them more and more as they
get older), and then some time later they go through the obnoxious teenage
stage where they want to be running about at all times and don't like to
be held.  But as they get older, they get more cuddly and like to be held
more.  At least, this has been my experience.  There are ALWAYS exceptions.

I've found mine to be especially wonderful to hold when they are tired.  I
put them in my sweatshirt and pet them and rock back and forth until they 
fall asleep and they will stay there for hours (kind of restrictive though
if *you* need to move around a lot - then they wake up).

Good luck.

Chris & Nina & Scooter
-- 


%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: milligan@stein.u.washington.edu (Paula Milligan)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: Mean Bunny
Date: 31 Dec 1992 18:47:22 GMT
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Keywords: mean

In article <1992Dec31.160906.21107@cmhcsys.cmhcsys.com> julieann@cmhcsys.cmhcsys.com (Julieann Fitchwell) writes:
>
>I have a mini dutch bunny that
>is aggressive, and sometimes just plain mean. She bites, claws, kicks...
>whatever and whenever she feels like it.
>
>[she] is about a year old and was given to me by a
>*friend* because of its' problems and incompatibility with children. I've had 
>her for about six months now, and have seen little improvement in her behavior.
>I thought that once she no longer had 'little hands' on her she would calm
>down, and she has, but only a little. 
>
>I called my vet for advice, and he basically told me "... they aren't very
>smart so it's hard to teach them ...". I gave her a solid rubber ball to
>play with and some empty toilet papers rolls. (Maybe she's just bored?) 
>She seems to be enjoying them but is still not safe to handle. She is 
>agressive toward the other bun and the _dogs_. She actually chases the dogs.
>This little bun is not afraid of anything!
>
>My experience in behavior modification has been with dogs and horses, and 
>the methods I'm used to aren't working on bunnies. (Big surprise :*)) I've 
>tried ignoring the negative behavior, and out of desparation attempting to
>correct her by rolling her onto her back like I would an aggressive dog.
>
>JulieAnn and Whiskey & Oakie


Is Oakie spayed?  Unspayed females can be very territorial and aggressive,
and just generally grouchy.

It sounds like she gets some time out of the cage, since you say she chases
the dogs.  When does she bite, kick and claw you? Is it when you reach into
the cage?  Buns who have been cage bunnies for most of their lives think of
the cage as sort of their safe retreat and don't look kindly on hands
reaching in.  I suspect you are right about the "little hands" of the child-
ren in her previous life conditioning her to a sort of fear reaction.  I'm
still a great proponent of the one-finger approach, until you establish
a rapport.

--Paula Milligan
  University of Washington, Seattle.
From: "Amy Young Leith" <alyoung@kiwi.ucs.indiana.edu>
Subject: Re: Bunny Answers & Questions
Organization: Indiana University, Bloomington
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 16:20:27 -0500

In article <1hna0qINNn7u@bigboote.WPI.EDU> dugan@cs.WPI.EDU (R. Dugan) writes:
[...]
>RUGS:  Let's face it... these little rug monsters will always chew on 
>rugs.  BUT how do you repair the damage?  We are renting an apartment
>and one of these days we'll have to move out.  How do we fix the rug?

I went to the hardware store, and bought some of the plastic rug
protecter, the stuff you might put over the rug if you were expecting
heavy dirty traffic.  It's dirt cheap, and then staple it to the floor
(using construction staples, not a regular stapler) in the places
where they tend to chew. 

amy
-- 
alyoung@kiwi.ucs.indiana.edu for personal mail
			    All business mail to alyoung@silver.ucs.indiana.edu
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Dislcaimer:I only speak for myself.  Anyone who thinks differently is a fool.
			(This means NOT my employer!!)
From: njl@drutx.ATT.COM (LaRocheNJ)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: Funny bunnies
Summary: Getting a female companion for a female
Date: 22 Dec 92 21:09:59 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T, Denver, CO

In article <1992Dec21.015830.4456jp@tygra.Michigan.COM>, jp@tygra.Michigan.COM (John Palmer) writes:
> 
>                 I'd get him a companion if 1> He turns out to be a
> she, then I'll get her another female friend (so they wont fight) and

This is no guarantee... Bunnies can be very persnickety (so far, I'm
finding that only about 30% male/female attempts work within a reasonable
period of time).  Most female pairs will fight unless exposed to each other
for a fairly long period with no other bunnies around.

A female should be spayed for medical reasons, anyway, and most males need
to be neutered for behavioral reasons.  So spay and neuter and think in
terms of male/female.  Most pairs will eventually accept each other if
given enough time.

Nancy LaRoche (HRS)
att!drutx!njl
From: dugan@cs.WPI.EDU (R. Dugan)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Bunny Answers & Questions
Date: 28 Dec 92 16:29:14 GMT
Organization: Dept of Computer Science, WPI
NNTP-Posting-Host: ivy.wpi.edu
Originator: dugan@ivy

Hi again...

We've found that CAT AWAY... a spray product that you can pick up in 
most pet stores does a pretty good job keeping bunnies away from 
places that they shouldn't be.  You can spray it directly on the 
rug... or spray it on a cloth and drape the cloth around the area
you want bunny-proofed.  The scent lasts about a week... then you
have to re-spray.

Here are some questions that we hope someone can answer:

CHRISTMAS TREES: Boy do bunnies love to chew on them... and they
know that they are not supposed to.  Has anyone done anything clever
to bunny-proof them?  I can't imagine spraying CAT AWAY on the whole
thing.

BUNNY TOYS: What are some good ones?  We leave newspapers, old books,
shoe boxes, sticks, and cardboard tubes around.  What else is good?

RUGS:  Let's face it... these little rug monsters will always chew on 
rugs.  BUT how do you repair the damage?  We are renting an apartment
and one of these days we'll have to move out.  How do we fix the rug?

-----------------------------------------------------
Bob Dugan	   dugan@maxine.wpi.edu  508-799-5150
Graduate Student   WPI CS Dept., Worcester, MA 01609
From: "Amy Young Leith" <alyoung@kiwi.ucs.indiana.edu>
Subject: Re: Funny bunnies, or at least interesting
Organization: Indiana University, Bloomington
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 16:18:37 -0500

In article <1hnjmnINNcof@shelley.u.washington.edu> milligan@carson.u.washington.edu (Paula Milligan) writes:

>time to go in now."  To my amazement, Sputnik THUMPED!  I tried it again,
>making sure to only use a very low-key, normal tone of voice, and he 
>thumped again!  We went through this about six times, and by then I was
[...]
>expectantly.  When Derek ignored him, he thumped twice to let us know he
>didn't think it was very polite to eat in front of him.

I have never seen the thumping behavior from Dink, even in a situation
where he would understandably feel "threatened."  Is this a purely
instictive behavior?  We got him when he was terribly young, and
perhaps his lack of interaction with other buns has weaked such
responses?  Or perhaps he's just very secure?  His big show of
disappointment or frustration is grunting. 

amy
-- 
alyoung@kiwi.ucs.indiana.edu for personal mail
			    All business mail to alyoung@silver.ucs.indiana.edu
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Dislcaimer:I only speak for myself.  Anyone who thinks differently is a fool.
			(This means NOT my employer!!)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: julieann@cmhcsys.cmhcsys.com (Julieann Fitchwell)
Subject: Mean Bunny
Organization: CMHC Systems
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 16:09:06 GMT
Keywords: mean

**** This is a long one, but I need help. Sorry. ****

Well, the subject line pretty much covers it -- I have a mini dutch bunny that
is aggressive, and sometimes just plain mean. She bites, claws, kicks...
whatever and whenever she feels like it.

I am posting to ask for advice on dealing with (dare I type it? *changing*),
this bunny's behavior. I am quite desparate at this point because I am at a
total loss as to what to do with her.

Here's some background:

I work full-time, horseback ride a few times a week, have two dogs, and two
rabbits. One rabbit I've had for almost 7 years now. She (Whiskey) is a
full size dutch bunny, and basically wonderful pet. She has her own cage in
one of the upstairs bedrooms, which is where I keep my terminal etc, and gets
to roam free when I'm around. She ignores the dogs (Boston Terriers) as they
are not worth her attention. The dogs in turn ignore her.

The bunny I am having trouble with is about a year old and was given to me by a
*friend* because of its' problems and incompatibility with children. I've had 
her for about six months now, and have seen little improvement in her behavior.
I thought that once she no longer had 'little hands' on her she would calm
down, and she has, but only a little. 

I called my vet for advice, and he basically told me "... they aren't very
smart so it's hard to teach them ...". I gave her a solid rubber ball to
play with and some empty toilet papers rolls. (Maybe she's just bored?) 
She seems to be enjoying them but is still not safe to handle. She is 
agressive toward the other bun and the _dogs_. She actually chases the dogs.
This little bun is not afraid of anything!

My experience in behavior modification has been with dogs and horses, and 
the methods I'm used to aren't working on bunnies. (Big surprise :*)) I've 
tried ignoring the negative behavior, and out of desparation attempting to
correct her by rolling her onto her back like I would an aggressive dog.

Oakie (the bunny) and I are  happy and relieved to see so much bunny activity
on the net. Finally, a source of help and advice !!!

Feel free to email to me or post.

Thanks in advance.
JulieAnn and Whiskey & Oakie
-- 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|                 JulieAnn C. Fitchwell                  |
| CMHC Systems, Inc. 5500 Frantz Road Dublin, Ohio 43017 |
|             INTERNET: julieann@cmhcsys.com             |
From: tenny@euclid.uucp (Nathan Tenny)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: Pregnant Mouse Explodes?
Date: 23 Dec 92 00:34:58 GMT
Article-I.D.: pith.1h8c7iINNchg
Organization: Department of Mathematics, University of Oregon
NNTP-Posting-Host: euclid.uoregon.edu


It's pretty normal for pregnant mice to look like they're going to explode.
"A potato with whiskers" is how a friend of mine describes it.

If you've never seen mice grow up, you're in for a treat.  Hoppers are
*really* cute.

	NT
	and ~40 mice
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: sniebuhr@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Sarah E Niebuhr)
Subject: Re: Funny bunnies
Organization: The Ohio State University
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 22:59:16 GMT

Well, you wanted to know the funniest thing my bun has ever done:

Rashi (and I have heard this is common) likes to get to the highest point in 
the room.  Actually, it seems he is trying to find a way over the walls (they 
must be just like a large box, after all).  So one morning I was sitting up in 
bed, reading.  In from the living room he roars, and right up onto the bed 
without thinking.  The next thing I know, he is sitting on my *head*.  I 
couldn't believe it.  And then he tried to turn around, and my head is just not
that big, so he fell off.  This is the one time I wish there were somebody else
there and ready with a camera.

Otherwise the little guy seems to be a quiet, normal kinda guy!
-- 
         /\       /\
        //\\  /\ //\\      Sarah E. Niebuhr
       ///\\\//\\//\\\     sniebuhr@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
      ////\\///\\\/\\\\
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: twallace@gmuvax2.gmu.edu (Todd Wallace)
Subject: Re: Funny bunnies, or at least interesting
Keywords: bunnies, ghosts
Organization: George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 14:27:11 GMT

Re: wildly thumping rabbit, no apparent reason

Maybe rabbits can see ghosts the way cats can. (Just kidding.)
Actually, given the extreme acuity of rabbit hearing, he was
probably reacting to squealing brakes a couple miles a way. Our
gerbils do the same thing -- stand up, look startled, thump like
crazy (we call this behavior 'dancing feet').
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: rmura@world.std.com (Ron Mura)
Subject: Rabbits in Boston (WAS Funny bunnies)
Organization: The World
	<1992Dec20.153808.1@stsci.edu>
	<1992Dec20.164930.18266@news.cs.indiana.edu>
	<PSHUANG.92Dec20193831@ninja.mit.edu>
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 14:51:37 GMT

In article <PSHUANG.92Dec20193831@ninja.mit.edu> pshuang@athena.mit.edu (Ping-Shun Huang) writes:
> 
> Well, I got my rabbit free (somebody found him while out jogging with
> his dog in the morning, posted looking for an owner in a local
> newsgroup, and that's how I ended up with Harvey). But it's not uncommon
> to see pet stores charge more than $15 -- I've seen dwarf rabbits priced
> at $50 at the Boston Pet Center. 

If you're looking for a rabbit in the Boston area, you might consider
the Animal Rescue League.  We got a rabbit there, figuring it would be
better to save a rabbit about to be "put to sleep" than to encourage
further breeding for profit.  We've had that rabbit, a very loving and
personable one, for four years now.  They always have some rabbits
looking for homes.
-- 
- Ron Mura, Boston, Massachusetts              rmura@world.std.com

Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: "Amy Young Leith" <alyoung@kiwi.ucs.indiana.edu>
Subject: Re: Purina Rabbit Chow and wood-chip litter (was Re: bunny questions)
Organization: Indiana University, Bloomington
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 00:52:25 -0500

In article <23014@drutx.ATT.COM> njl@drutx.ATT.COM (LaRocheNJ) writes:

>Most of all, cedar chips (in fact, any wood chips) emit phenols that
>cause liver damage if the phenols can collect in the air the rabbit
>breathes.  (I suspect the same is true of hamsters, mice, and all the
>other small animals for whom wood chips are sold!)

WHAT???  

I have been using the "plain" untreated pine shavings for Dink's
bedding and litterbox.  What should I change to?  I've heard of
numerous paper or corncob based litters and beddings here, but not
been able to find any in the numerous stores around town... is there a
place I could get them mail order?  

amy
-- 
alyoung@kiwi.ucs.indiana.edu for personal mail
			    All business mail to alyoung@silver.ucs.indiana.edu
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Dislcaimer:I only speak for myself.  Anyone who thinks differently is a fool.
			(This means NOT my employer!!)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: jensen@rtsg.mot.com (James D. Jensen)
Subject: Help Save Norm - Thanks
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 20:16:14 GMT

Thanks to all those who responded, there were several good suggestions.
Sorry, but getting rid of my girlfriend is not a valid option.
We've been going out 2.5 years, the bird has only been around 2.5 months.

To summarize the main suggestions given were to have her give him
his favorite treats, and have me stop doing so for awhile.  Also,
if he bites her, put him away and cover his cage for awhile.  Hopefully this 
will cause him to learn that he was bad.  I know this idea works for dogs,
but unsure about birds.  It is worth a try.

Also, have both of us play with him at the same time so he won't have
to choose between us, but can play with both of us.

Some people suggested keeping the bird at her place, which I have considered,
but the main reason the bird is at my house instead of her apartment is
the fact that she does not always stay at her apartment, and in fact 
does spend a lot of time at my house.

Others suggested just keeping her away from Norm, but part of the problem
is that she really does like him, and wants to play with him.  This
is why she gets upset, not that she is really insecure as some suggest, but
is more disappointed that the bird doesn't like her.  I already have my
chinchillas, so it would be nice if she had the bird.  

Thanks again for all the advice.  I'll let you know if things improve.

Jim Jensen
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: robg@cabezon.uucp (Rob Garcelon)
Subject: Canaries plus
Organization: Logic Modelling Corporation of Beaverton Oregon
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 04:22:02 GMT


I successfully bred canaries a few years ago.  Got 14 from 2 pairs.
Currently, we have a pair of canaries. They live in the same cage but do not
plan to breed them (give 'em a nest) till next spring.

I suggest to anyone that has both sexes of canaries in a common cage, to
monitor their actions for signs of incompatability (fighting or plucking).
You MUST have two perches AND seed dishes in a shared cage.  Only pair up
compatible pairs of canaries.  Never put more than one male in a cage with
females.  My experience dictates that males should be kept in separate
cages, alone or with one compatible hen.  And that hens may be grouped in a
large cage when not breeding; I had 8 hens in a 2x2x2 foot cage with no
problems.

A piece of shredded Kleenex tissue in the cage keeps the hen from plucking
her feathers when she is bent on making a nest.  Whether it's breeding
season or not.  A strip of towel/terry cloth tied to the side of the cage
lasts longer for this purpose too; keeps her busy pulling threads out.

As far as other (larger) birds scaring our little singer, it varies with the
canary.  Our present pair go about their business as if nothing is happening
when our conures jump onto or off their cage.  We have a blue-crowned and a
green-cheek conure, and a pair of lutino 'tiels which are all loose during
the day together.

The key in keeping more than one pet bird together is in watching how they
get along.  Don't let birds whose personalities clash come together.  In our
case the reason the 2 conures get along is that the green-cheek's assertive
personality is balanced by the blue-crowned's larger size.  We had to sell
our love-bird years ago because he would bite all the other bird's toes.  No
offense to anyone owning love-birds, but I would never suggest one except as
a single pet; it has to be the fiestiest breed I've encountered. 

Well, enough for now.  Go spend some time with your birdies now...

===
    Rob Garcelon
    Logic Modeling Corporation 
    Beaverton Oregon

    robg@lmodel.lmc.com  or  ...!uunet!lmc.com!robg

=== My opinions belong to me and my birds.
-- 
===
    Rob Garcelon
    Logic Modeling Corporation 
    Beaverton Oregon
From: mpease@dream.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca (Michael David Pease)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: A Red Canary and Related Canary Questions
Date: 24 Dec 92 04:34:06 EST
Organization: The Dreaming City BBS * (519)896-0863



      Hi there Bird Lovers....

  I have recently Purchased my First Canary, I bought him from A Champion ship
  Bird breeder. The male is in Perfect health, and is only about 8 months old
  , My questions are as Follows....Since i am a novice, these may seem a bit
  Stupid, but please bare with me, I am new to this :)

   1) What is an average Life Span of A Male Canary in Captivity?
   2) He is PURE red in colour now , will He stay that way for a Long time?
   3) Will he need a mate... IE: Will he get lonely for a Fellow Bird?
   4) I also have a Budgie, in a separate cage, Will this knowledge of another
      Bird, deter him from Singing?

       These are just a few of the questions on my mind, does anyone have any
   Suggesstions?

               Thanks alot :)

--- Via UCI v1.16 (C-Net Amiga)

|-------mpease@dream.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca---------------------------------|
|                         |                                               |
| The Dreaming City BBS   |        ADULT/Fantasy Based Theme BBS          |
|    (519)-896-0863       |       WEll over 200 Megs of Adult Software    |
|______Mike Pease_________|_______________________________________________|                                 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: "rodney jones" <rodney.jones@canrem.com>
Subject: bare-eye cockatoo
Reply-To: "rodney jones" <rodney.jones@canrem.com>
Organization: Canada Remote Systems
Distribution: rec
Date: 22 Dec 92 18:53:12 EST

Hollo fellow bird lovers.

I am the proud co-habitant of a young (2 years old) bare eyed cockatoo
named Cleo. Cleo is the male of a male/female twin pair hatched in
Toronto, Ontario Canada from my mothers breeding pair. There was some
discrepency as to the sexes of the 2 birds when they were hatch and as
such, his sister was named Caesar. (Even the best sexing methods can
fail) Cleo is an extremely good talker who just loves to play, but not
with me. I think he feels that my fiance is his mate and I am the
competition.

We have decide to train Cleo to do some tricks. He already answers the
phone and says hello. I would enjoy hearing from anyone out there with
one of these playful (crazy) birds.

As well, does anyone know of a way to get him to stop thinking of me as
the enemy. If he wants her, he can have here. HaHaHa.

Email to:

Rodney.Jones@canrem.com

or post any responses to rec.pets.birds

Once again, Hello out there. I look forward to communicating with anyone
who is a fellow bird fancier.
--
Canada Remote Systems  - Toronto, Ontario
World's Largest PCBOARD System - 416-629-7000/629-7044
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds