poco più di una settimana fà Suri ha morso alla mano il mio fidanzato; gli ha fatto davvero molto male e questo fatto ci ha un po meravigliato e scosso allo stesso tempo perchè lei si è sempre fatta coccolare da lui e Andrea non le ha mai fatto nulla di male...
Abbiamo lasciato passare qualche giorno e poi Andrea ha provato a tornare di nuovo da lei... risultato: Suri arrabbiatissima, coda gonfia, batteva i denti e voleva morderlo di nuovo...
Siccome questa situazione mi ha rattristato davvero tanto e volevo saperne di più, ho scritto due righe a Gena...volevo capire se il rapporto tra Suri e Andrea fosse rovinato per sempre...
Sotto vi riporto la risposta di Gena perchè potrebbe tornare utile a qualcuno di voi!
E' in inglese, ma con google traduttore si capisce quasi tutto!
Hello Ramona,
I'm sorry to hear of your boyfriend's injury. I'm wondering from what you described what lead to the bite? Has there been a change in your weather? Are there new pets or people additions to the household that aren't normally there? Does this boyfriend live with you or just visit periodically?
Prairie dogs once they hit sexual maturity go through a major transition behaviorally due to their social/community-oriented hierarchical nature. Anything that does not live in your home is seen as a threat or intruder that must be chased away or killed. This is their job in the wild and that instinctual role translates into captive households as well. So, when she was a pup and up until 2 years old, she didn't have this role, now it is something she takes very seriously and it is due to her love of her home and you that she does it. It isn't personal at all. If he doesn't live there, she is protecting her territory and that includes everything and everyone in it, including other pets.
If he lives with you, it could be a rut related occurrence. Especially if the weather has taken a dramatic turn. When there is a major barometer shift it pushes their hormones into a crazy mess for rut and she may have been reacting to his testosterone scent. If everything in your home is female, except him, she may view him as a potential mate. I know that sounds crazy, but in captivity, you are all the same family to a prairie dog. It thinks you are all the same. Someone (should be you) is alpha of the group, but everyone has a job to do in a prairie dog family. If he's the only male thing in the house, that may really set her off, even more so if she is not spayed.
If he is not living there, I'm sad to say that she cannot be trusted with your boyfriend anymore because he is now a threat to her job to protect you. She may appear friendly to even lure him in, only to hurt him, because she really loves you.
When she does this chattering and puffing up her fur, tell her no sternly and turn your back to her and walk away. This sends an important cue to her that you don't approve of her behavior. The more you pay attention to her bad behavior, it reinforces it. So, it is very important to leave her alone when she's like this.
If your boyfriend doesn't live with you, but wants to pet her, you must be the one to enable that to happen. However, you must do so carefully and read her cues. If she's already chattering, do not attempt it for your safety. If she is calm and sleepy, let her head hide in your arms and let him pet her back, but don't let her face him.
Personally, if there is anyone outside of your home visiting, it is no longer safe for them or her to be out together. Again, she is doing a job out of love.
If weather related rut, and he lives there, spaying her may calm it down a bit, but he may periodically have trouble with her when weather is frequently shifting.
Take care,
Gena
____________
Ramy
Charly e Minnie 
la mia amata Camilla 
Bicione e 
Pepitina 
Charly,Birillo,Kenya,Asia,Ghana. 
