| How to Catch a Gerbil on the Loose Posted: 11 Aug 2018 01:00 AM PDT Gerbils are small and quick creatures that can be really difficult to catch when they escape their cages. If your gerbil ever escapes, there are a variety of methods you can use to get it back. These include luring it with food, cornering it, and trapping it with a humane trap. If you play your cards right, you can quickly and carefully catch your gerbil and return it to its rightful home. EditLocating the Gerbil - Contain the gerbil in 1 room. If your gerbil escapes in front of you, don't let it get out of the room you are in. If you spot the gerbil as you are trying to find it, shut the door of the room that it is in. Cornering the gerbil in a single room will make catching it much easier.[1]
- If you don't see the gerbil escape and you don't know where it is, then you can't assume it is in the same room that you last saw it in.
- Ask someone to help you. It can be a lot easier to catch a gerbil on the loose if you have someone to help you do it. Another person can help you search for the animal, corner it, and close off cages or traps before the gerbil escapes again.
- Check a wide variety of places. Gerbils that escape often look for a nook or cranny to huddle in. This means you often need to search all over the room they escaped into before you can find them.[2]
- If the gerbil escapes in a room that contains accessible food, such as the kitchen, look in food areas that the gerbil could reach first.
- Lay down on the floor and look under all of the furniture in the room.
- Look in piles of clothes and other areas where gerbils might think they can comfortably nest.
- Look for signs of the gerbil's movement. To track down a gerbil that is missing and has not been spotted, you should look for signs of where it has traveled. Look for feces, urine, or chewed items, basically anything that shows that the gerbil has traveled through an area. This will narrow down your search area.[3]
- Eliminate areas as you search. As you narrow down the search area, block off areas that have no sign that the gerbil has traveled through them. By closing off areas, you will ensure that the gerbil cannot get into those areas as it tries to evade you.
- Check the stairs. Gerbils may be found upstairs, as they can jump very high to climb the stairs, but then are often too scared to jump down stairs. This means that they can get caught on individual stairs.
- Try to keep the gerbil away from hazards. If you see the gerbil and are trying to corner it, don't move it towards hazards, such as steep drops, toxins, or wires the animal can easily chew through. Cornering it towards these types of areas might create a risk to its health.[4]
- A gerbil cornered towards a steep drop could go off a ledge by accident just because it is scared and confused.
- Also, be sure to keep possible hazards away from the gerbil. For example, keep other pets out of the area.
- Keep the gerbil contained, even if you need to take a break. If you need to leave while your gerbil is still on the loose, be sure that you keep it as contained as possible. Close doors and windows and make sure that anyone else that lives in your home knows not to let the gerbil out.[5]
- If you just need to leave the room to get tools for catching the gerbil, try to find someone to watch the animal while you are gone. Having someone stay in the room will allow you to keep track of where the gerbil is.
EditLuring a Found Gerbil to Your Hand - Corner and approach the gerbil slowly. Once you spot your gerbil, you need to strategically approach it. Make sure that it has nowhere to run past you and nowhere to hide. Then move very slowly towards it, so that it doesn't feel threatened.[6]
- If the gerbil is new to you and doesn't really know you, it may run just at the sight of you. If it is acclimated to you, your presence will most likely not scare it off.
- Put treats in your hand and offer them to the gerbil. If the gerbil is tamed, it probably knows that you are the person that brings it tasty treats. Put a food that it likes a lot in your hand and slowly move that hand towards the gerbil. It is likely to climb right into your hand.
- You can use the pellets, seed, or vegetables that you usually feed to your gerbil. However, pick what the animal likes to eat best.[7]
- If you have several options, use a food that has a strong smell. This will allow your gerbil to smell it and be lured to it more easily.
- Take hold of the gerbil once it is near you or in your hand. As your gerbil approaches the food, pick it up with a swift but gentle movement. Scoot your fingers under its body, as grabbing it from above can scare it away. Then lock your thumb around the top of its body, so that you have a secure grip on it.
- Be sure to be gentle when grabbing it, but also make sure that you don't let it slip out of your hand.
- Cover the gerbil to minimize its chance of getting away. If you can't get the gerbil to come all the way into your hand, you may need to grab it when it gets near. Have your helper use a small net or piece of fabric to cover the gerbil so it can be more easily grabbed and can't run away. This is especially important if the gerbil is not acclimated to you.
EditTrapping a Hiding Gerbil Safely - Lure the gerbil back into its cage. Get some gerbil food and make a trail from the gerbil's general location to their cage. Put extra treats inside the cage. Make sure the cage doors are open and that there is nothing preventing the gerbil from easily entering. Then, when you see the gerbil going into the cage, close the cage doors quickly.[8]
- You may need to move the cage to a place where the gerbil can easily get to it.
- Use a bucket trap to catch your gerbil. If you can't get your gerbil to go into its cage or into a box while you are around, you may need to use a trap that will hold the animal until you get it out. To make a simple trap like this you will need a bucket, a ramp up to the bucket, a towel, and some gerbil food. To set up the trap put the towel and the food at the bottom of the bucket. Then put the ramp up to the side of the bucket.[9]
- The gerbil will be lured towards the smell of the food. It will go up the ramp and then leap into the bucket to get the food. Once in the bucket, it won't be able to get out.
- The towel at the bottom of the bucket will cushion the gerbil's fall.
- You can make the ramp out of stacks of books or a piece of wood.
- Alternatively, use a child's fishing net or butterfly net on a pole. Place a treat on the net and gently scoop up the gerbil when they wander over the net.
- Use a commercial humane trap. Instead of using a homemade bucket trap, you can use a commercial version. A humane trap will lure the gerbil into it with the smell of food, and then keep it contained until you can move the animal back into its cage.
- There are a variety of humane traps available at most home improvement and hardware stores.
- Hire a professional. If you can't catch your gerbil alone, you may need to call an animal catcher to get it for you. This is an extreme solution that is typically only used if you have tried all other options.
- A pest control professional may be able to place a variety of humane traps around your home that can catch your gerbil safely.
EditPreventing Future Escapes - Make sure you shut the door securely. Gerbils often escape when their cage doors are accidentally left open. To prevent this, check the door every time you interact with your gerbils, making sure it is closed and latched.
- There are a wide variety of types of cage doors. If you have the type that simply swings closed, make sure that it is latched as well, as gerbils can push against these doors and open them.
- Check for possible escape routes. If you have no idea how your gerbil escaped, you should inspect every inch of its cage. Look for bars that have been chewed through and broken pieces that could provide an escape route.
- Gerbils can squeeze through holes as small as . Make sure all holes this size are filled or blocked off.[10]
- Gerbils can also jump quite high, so if you are using an open top cage, make sure that the gerbil can't jump out of it.
- Get a stronger cage. Gerbils are chewers, so they need strong cages. For instance, plastic cages are not good for use with gerbils, as they can easily destroy one. Also, if you use wood or mesh doors, note that gerbils can chew through these rather quickly.[11]
- Glass aquariums work well for gerbils, as the animals are not able to chew through the glass.
- Keep your gerbils occupied. If gerbils are bored, then they will try to escape and find some fun things to do outside of their cage. To prevent this, provide them with a variety of toys and foods.
- You should also provide your gerbil with enough bedding so that it can burrow. If it can't create a sheltered place of its own, it may try to get out of the cage to find one.[12]
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Socialize Your Kitten Posted: 10 Aug 2018 05:00 PM PDT Early socialization will help your kitten grow up to become a well-adjusted cat who's confident around people. Work with your kitten as soon as possible so it becomes comfortable and secure around you. You'll need to gain the kitten's trust by playing and interacting with it every day. Once the kitten is familiar with you, introduce it to new experiences and interactions. EditGetting the Kitten Comfortable with You - Begin socializing your kitten as soon as its eyes open. Although kittens are blind and deaf for the first few weeks of life, they'll soon start paying attention to their surroundings. Once the kitten's eyes open, you can start to touch and interact with it. This usually happens when the kitten is around 2 weeks old.[1]
- If the mother cat trusts you, you should be able to touch the kittens starting when they're 3 days old. However, if the mother cat growls, hisses, or seems uneasy about the interaction, it's best to leave the kittens alone.
- Offer the kitten food so it becomes comfortable with you. Choose a time of day when the kitten is usually hungry and place a small dish of wet cat food in front of it or its open cage. If you prefer, place a little of the wet food on the end of your clean finger and hold it out to the kitten.[2]
- The kitten will begin develop positive associations between the wet food and you.
- As the kitten becomes more comfortable with you, it may want to sit in your lap to eat food off of your finger.
- Pet the kitten's head and shoulders to familiarize the cat with you. Use your index and middle fingers to stroke the kitten's head and shoulders. If the kitten is comfortable with you, place it in your lap or hold it securely in your hands. If the kitten runs away from you, offer it a little food on your finger.[3]
- Talk with the kitten while you're touching it so it becomes used to the sound of your voice. You can say the kitten's name to build familiarity with it.
- Distract an anxious mother with some food. If the mother cat shows signs of unease, such as growling or snatching the kitten back when you try to handle it, distract her with some food and talk to her in a calm, reassuring voice.[4]
- If she wants, let her touch noses with the kitten so she realizes that the kitten is safe.
- It will also help if you gently pet the kitten and mother so the more gets more comfortable with your scent.
- Hold the kitten securely to your chest for at least 15 minutes a day. Once the kitten is comfortable with having you touch it, set the kitten on a towel and wrap it around the kitten's body. Pick up the kitten and bring it to your chest. Talk to the kitten as you hold it so the kitten feels safe with you.[5]
- The more you hold the young kitten, the better. The kitten will be more trusting and easier to socialize.
EditPlaying and Interacting with the Kitten - Play with the kitten every day. Make time to play at least 15 minutes with your kitten every day. Playing will keep your kitten active and improve their social skills. If the kitten is very young, play can be as simple as chasing the kitten around and letting it catch you. You can also play hide-and-seek behind a cushion or around a corner.
- Introduce toys into your play when the kitten is 6 or 7 weeks old. Kittens love to play with squeaky toys, cardboard tubes, or small boxes with holes that they can bat. Avoid cat toys that have loose parts or things that could be eaten, such as string or feathers on a wand. [6]
- Leave toys out for your kitten to play with when you're not at home.
- Playing is a great way for your kitten to associate people with fun. It will also build the kitten's confidence.
- Leave the TV or radio on when you'll be out of the house. If you have to be out of the house for a while, turn on the radio or TV so your cat can listen to common sounds such as music and talking.[7]
- Try to spend as much time as possible together while your kitten is very young. Early interactions will teach your kitten a lot about acceptable social behaviors.
- Redirect misbehavior and reward good behavior. Never hit or yell at the kitten if it scratches or bites while you're playing. Instead, pull your hand away and do a mock "hiss" at the kitten. Then start playing a different game. When you see the kitten playing well, give it a reward such as a treat or praise.[8]
- Remember to speak calmly and softly around the kitten so it feels secure around you.
EditIntroducing Other Cats and Experiences - Vaccinate the kitten before it plays with other cats. Your kitten needs a series of vaccinations to protect it against common diseases before it begins socializing with cats. Your kitten needs at least 2 visits to the vet:[9]
- At 6 to 8 weeks old for rhinotracheitis, calcivirus, panleukopenia and chlamydia vaccinations.
- At 12 weeks old for the first feline leukemia vaccine and second round of rhinotracheitis, calcivirus, panleukopenia and chlamydia vaccinations.
- Let your kitten play with other cats. Slowly introduce the kitten to other kittens or cats so none of them feel threatened. At first, the kitten and cats may sniff or groom each other. It's also fine if they stare or hiss at each other. If the cats growl, spit, or make a lot of noise, separate them and introduce them again later.[10]
- Your kitten and the other cats may interact better if they all have their own places to escape to when they feel anxious.
- Enlist your friends to play with the kitten. The kitten needs to meet and interact with people of all ages and appearances. Ask friends to come and play with the kitten so it becomes comfortable with having guests in the house and being held by people other than you.[11]
- If it's your kitten's first interaction with someone, let the kitten approach the person once it feels comfortable. The kitten may sniff or lick the person before they want to be petted.
- Expose the kitten to as many different experiences as possible. This might include things such as letting it play in the cat carrier, hearing the vacuum cleaner, and going for a car ride. Experiences will teach the kitten not to be frightened of new things in the future.[12]
- Other experiences include going to the vet, being outside, going to the groomer, and hearing you use tools or appliances.
- Remember that all of these experiences should be positive ones that don't cause the kitten to feel unnecessary stress or anxiety. When you introduce new things to the kitten, go slowly and give the kitten plenty of space. Reward it for calm behavior, and over time introduce the kitten to the experience more frequently.
- Poorly socialized kittens are more likely to be overly cautious and fearful of people or new experiences. Aggressive behavior in a kitten may indicate that it needs to be socialized.
- Be patient if you're socializing an abused kitten. It may take time and patience for the kitten to learn that you're not a threat.
EditThings You'll Need EditGetting the Kitten Comfortable with You - Metal crate or cage
- Soft bedding
- Litter tray
- Food, water, and treats
EditPlaying and Interacting with the Kitten - Toys such as balls, wands, cardboard tubes, boxes with holes
- Treats
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Jazz Dance Posted: 10 Aug 2018 09:00 AM PDT Jazz dance is a creative fusion of traditional European ballet with the rhythms and movements found in African Dance. Originally popularized after World War I, modern jazz is evolving to include a number of street dance styles.[1] If you're looking for a fun way to express yourself, jazz dance could be just the thing for you! EditLearning Basic Jazz Moves - Study jazz terminology so you'll know how to perform the steps. If you're teaching yourself to dance, you'll need to know the terms so you can follow along as you read about jazz technique. If you're planning to sign up for a dance class, studying the terminology will help you understand what your dance instructor wants you to do.
- Stand on one leg and move the other foot away to perform a brush. In a brush, your foot will lightly skim the floor as you move your leg. Usually, your leg stays straight as you perform this movement.[2]
- Draw in your torso to perform a contraction. Imagine that you are bringing your belly button in towards your spine. Make the movement seem more exaggerated by pushing your shoulders and knees forward as you execute the contraction.[3]
- Stand with your heels together and bend your knees to plié. Your legs should be turned out at the hips so that your knees are bent over your toes. As you bend your knees, keep your spine as straight as possible to lengthen your torso.[4]
- Stand on the balls of your feet with your knees bent for a forced arch. A forced arch involves raising your heels off the floor while bending your knees. This can also be called a demi-plié with the heels up.[5]
- Quickly shift your weight from one foot to the other for a ball change. Start by standing with one foot in front of the other, with your weight slightly shifted towards the front. Shift your weight to your back foot, then quickly return to the front foot.[6]
- This can be done while you're standing still or while you are travelling.
- Step out, bring your feet together, and step again to chassé. The step-together-step is a popular move in a number of dance styles, and it's used commonly in jazz dancing.[7]
- Move your leg in a sweeping arc in front of you to fan kick. Fan kicks make a dramatic impact on the audience, so they're a popular move in high-energy jazz dances.[8]
- Turn out your feet and alternate your shoulder movements to jazz walk. When you move one foot forward, the opposing shoulder should be brought forward. Then, step again and bring the other shoulder forward at the same time.[9]
- You can add your own take to these movements for fun variations on a jazz walk, like adding in hip rolls or finger snaps.
- Mambo by swiveling your hips as you move front to back and back to front. The mambo is extremely influential on jazz dancing. Incorporate this ethnic style by moving your hips in a figure-8 style as you move in a front-to-back motion and then return to your starting point.[10]
EditPracticing Jazz Turns - Focus on one spot while you turn so you don't get dizzy. This is known as spotting, and it's a trick that dancers of all disciplines use.[11]
- Turn towards your standing leg to perform an inside turn. Your standing leg is the leg that is supporting most of your weight. As such, it can also be called your supporting leg. If your weight is on your right leg and you turn towards your right, that is an inside turn.[12]
- Turn away from your standing leg for an outside turn. This is the exact opposite of an inside turn. If you are standing with your weight on your right leg and you turn to the left, you have performed an outside turn.[13]
- Pivot with one foot touching the other knee to pirouette. Start by standing with one leg in front of the other, with both feet turned outwards. Bend at the knees as if you are curtsying, then push off of your back foot as you lift it towards your standing leg. As you turn, keep your toes pointed.[14]
- The pirouette is one of the most common dance moves. It is especially popular in ballet, but it is often used in jazz as well.
- Cross your legs, then unwind and cross them again for a soutenu. In a soutenu, your feet will swivel, but they will stay planted in the same spot. If your left leg is crossed in front of your right, turn 180 degrees towards the right until your right leg is crossed in front of the left. [15]
- Perform half-turns while you travel to perform a chaîné turn. Chaîné is French word meaning "chains", and this move is called that because the half-turns link together to form one fluid motion.[16]
- Practice performing these as smoothly as possible.
- Push yourself with one foot for a paddle turn. In a paddle turn, one foot stays stationary and pivots while you use the other foot to push you in the direction of your turn. A single paddle turn will turn you 360 degrees.[17]
- Spin on one foot with your body straight for a pencil turn. The pencil turn is the spin most people think of when they picture dancers spinning. Step backwards with one foot, then shift your weight back to your front foot. Push off your back foot, lifting onto the toes of your standing leg as you rotate. Bring your arms in front of your body as you spin.[18]
EditPutting it all Together - Breathe deeply as you dance. It can be easy to hold your breath or get winded as you're practicing new dance moves, but focus on keeping your breathing steady and slow. This will naturally make your movements seem more graceful than they will if you are out of breath.[19]
- Practice controlling your movements. Graceful dancers make their moves seem effortless, but in reality, it's control that allows them to move so fluidly. You can improve your control by exercising the muscles that stabilize you, like doing sit-ups to strengthen your core.[20]
- For example, if you perform a fan kick, don't just throw your leg into the air. Instead, control the movement from the moment your foot leaves the floor until it lands again.
- Pay attention to the transitions between steps. The movements between steps are just as important as turns and jumps themselves. Pay attention to how you hold your arms, head, and feet when you are travelling or in the counts leading up to a step.[21]
- Listen to the music you'll be dancing to. Even when you're not dancing, you can listen to the music and imagine your moves. Picture yourself moving gracefully to the music, then try to emulate that as you dance.
- Move with the rhythm of the music. If you're focusing on counts or thinking about what you're doing next, it can be easy to forget about the fluidity of the music you're dancing to. Once you've mastered the basics of your dance, practice it to music.[22]
- Spend several minutes stretching before you dance to avoid injury. Especially focus on your hamstrings, quads, and shoulders.
- Wear supportive footwear. If you don't have jazz shoes, wear a pair of sneakers as you get started.[23]
- Stop any movement if it causes you pain, and try not to move in ways that feel unnatural. Instead, practice a move gradually, bending a little further or stretching a little more each time.[24]
- Your knees should never be extended past your toes as you bend.
- Imagine keeping your spine directly above your hips to help prevent a back injury.
- Bend your knees slightly as you jump to cushion the impact from landing.
EditSources and Citations
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