Some hedgehogs just naturally know how to run on the wheel, they do not need to be taught. Some hedgehogs however, need your help to learn what's the use of the wheel.
Steps to train your hedgehog wheeling;-
Use the right, functional wheel
Make sure the room is dim/not bright
Put your hedgehog on the wheel
One hand cover the wheel entrance with your hand or hard board
Let your hedgehog have to walk on the wheel unwillingly
Use your other hand to rotate the wheel
Or use your other hand to hold treat like in the video below
Repeat for atleast 5-10 minutes, consistently every night until your hedgehog can wheel on their own!
Your hedgehog will look like it is forced to walk on the wheel at first, but that way, they will learn that the wheel can be run on.
Some hedgehogs are fast learner, and some needs more training. As hedgehog owner, you need to be patient training them.
If you don’t train your hedgehog and your hedgehog doesn’t know how to play with wheel, you will need to have hours night roaming routine for them to be able to run. It will be hard for you to spend hours just to monitor them roaming. Plus, hedgehogs prefer to run when no one is watching them. In the occasion when you have to be absent for a night, your hedgehog can carry on to run by themselves on the wheel, in their own cage if they know how to run on the wheel. What if they don't? If they are getting used to only free roaming, they will be stucked in the cage and depending on you to take them out to run free roaming in the room. So try your best to make them champion their wheel!
Here are some video tutorials that might be helpful for you!
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