Vet Trauma and Adjusting Schedule

[RoboMommy]

Hi, guys.

A lot has happened with my husband and my robo, Orpheus, in the past week. We had a traumatic trip to the vets on Friday - it was a well-hammy visit and the vet was great, but the tech came out with combat gloves and he leaped and screamed (can't blame him, and he was fine). Needless to say, we're back at almost square zero after letting him be over the weekend - it's so sad because we actually were getting him to crawl on our hands in the playpen. He's much more active again and let us see him play late last night. Before it all happened, we were getting up early in the morning when he was more receptive. I'd like to be able to do night too, to interrupt our morning routine less. But he just won't come out before 11. I was wondering if you had any tips on how to very gently get him out earlier - we know he's awake, and we consistently do a light, give salad, sit, and ring chime sequence at 9.

Thanks!

 

[Maz]

Aw poor little robo - that did sound like a scary vet visit! He should get over it in a few days. How long have you had him now again? Do you mean he doesn't come out before 11am or 11pm?

 

[RoboMommy]

he’s on week 3. And he’s out between 11 pm and 6 or 7 am.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Tweaking temperature and light might help. If you observe his response using the camera at first that might help to simplify things. It's great that he has been climbing onto your hands in the playpen. I'm sure you will get back to this soon. He seems to be learning to trust hands (except for ones in big scary combat gloves) and hand feeding should make a big difference. They learn very quickly

 

[Maz]

So he's avoiding human time really I think it's still early days, three weeks, especially if he's had a vet visit recently - that could have set him back a little bit.

It's frustrating I know but I'd keep talking to him. Maybe give it another week or so and then if you can manage to stay up after 11pm you could try some playpen time. If he'll walk into something. Eg a tube. Be careful what you use as a taxi as they are very fast! Some people use a mug and put that in the cage, then when he walks in, pop your hand over the mug and carry him that way. I had to use quite a long tube as if it wasn't long enough, mine would shoot out of the end before I got my hand over the end.

 

[RoboMommy]

Thanks so much! How long should we try to get him to poke out earlier at night before shifting back to morning which worked before the visit? And temperature…interesting. What temperature change do you recommend?