Instructions
Care for your degu. Feed it well, show it love, and always behave in a calm, quiet manner in its presence. Pick it up properly, by scooping it up gently from underneath as it faces you. Degus are terrified of being grabbed from above or behind, and may never shoulder train if you attempt to hold them in this manner.
Care for your degu. Feed it well, show it love, and always behave in a calm, quiet manner in its presence. Pick it up properly, by scooping it up gently from underneath as it faces you. It terrifies Degus when someone picks them up from above or behind, and may never shoulder train if you attempt to hold them in this manner.
Put on a shirt with nappy fabric. Sit on a soft couch when you feel the degu is relaxed enough to attempt to sit on your shoulder. Do not lean back, or your pet will scale the couch and likely disappear around the back side.
Hold the degu in the palm of your hand. Place your open palm level with your opposite shoulder and allow the degu to climb up. Most degus will immediately climb aboard, as their curious nature makes this new place too intriguing to ignore.
Hand your pet a small degu treat. Cheerios work well, as do small, unsalted crackers. Your degu will immediately hunch down in one spot on its hindquarters, and eat the food with forepaws. This teaches your pet to sit still and to expect goodies when placed upon your shoulder.
Repeat the process several days in a row, giving your pet a treat each time. Your degu will quickly learn to hop onto your shoulder and sit still. After several days of successful shoulder sitting, move off the couch. Slowly walk across the room and back again before giving your degu a treat. (This allows your pet four free paws with which to hang on.)
Repeat Step 6 several times over the next week, and your degu will be comfortable riding on your shoulder almost anywhere you go.
How to Shoulder Train a Degu
Degus make wonderful pets. Once they become accustomed to an owner, they become loving and cuddly creatures who will happily sit by your side, or even perform a degu trick or two. It's possible to shoulder train a degu to sit, play and even sleep perched next to your ear. All it takes is a calm demeanor and a little positive reinforcement.