Can you train a hedgehog?

[mineofuselessinformation]

I have one, sometimes two hedgehogs that visit my garden regularly to eat. I'd dearly love for them to hibernate in my garden and make it their home - I've bought a good quality hedgehog house in anticipation!
I've moved the food bowl a bit and they know where to find it, so I'll move it a bit every few days, hoping to end up at the hedgehog house.
Does anyone know if they will investigate the house if I can eventually put the food on the entrance?
I appreciate this might be a bit niche! 🦔🦔🦔🦔

Hmm as i say, fussy buggers, they stroll past ours but no sign of any interest whatsoever, they are lovely houses too, clearly not as suitable as their current homes. I do wonder what makes them choose though as we clearly are providing good accommodation. Maybe it is just a matter of time.

@StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes, I suppose that makes sense... This year I finally had some birds nesting in my bird box. I've been here just shy of eight years!

Oh gosh a long wait then, we had birds in ours two years running then nothing for the next two, we clearly have bloody fussy birds as well as hedgehogs 🙄

Could you add an annexe to your hedgehog house? Like a kind of granny flat, for the second hedgehog? They could both keep their independence then

@UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername

I was envisioning them rolling up on command, or doing very small agility courses.

I want hedgehogs.

I do too after watching that.

@NaiceLeftie, that would involve me taking apart a pre-bought,very nice hedgehog house, so I don't think I'm going there! But the thought is lovely all the same.

I don't feed mine and can't get rid!! I tried! As did the dog( The dog tried first- to her injury) I tried second, after the THIRD £200 visit to the vet to help the dog! I started raking the leaves leaves and stopped feeding the birds. Nope. They love place. The dogs long gone now and the hogs have overridden the place. Thank have three months peace through the winter- but there seems to be no time otherwise where they don't have babies! They are rampant! It sounds lovely- but my neighbours hate me, as I won't mow/ chop down trees/ make tidy as I know they're there.

@IReallyCan, that's adorable!
I don't think my hedgehogs are up to that level of scrutiny though...

[quote mineofuselessinformation]@NaiceLeftie, that would involve me taking apart a pre-bought,very nice hedgehog house, so I don't think I'm going there! But the thought is lovely all the same. [/quote]
Hopefully they will share happily then . You’re so lucky to have them visit 🦔 🦔

kittenkipper your saga with the hedgehogs reminds me of when my mum tried to get rid of some pigeons who were damaging the roof.

She used to call me to complain that they don't even move away when they see her anymore.

Ssssssh! Don't tell anyone but I think I might be a landlord. Someone has definitely been in the house....
Sorry for the slightly fuzzy pic but I didn't want to use flash or get too close.

@UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername

I was envisioning them rolling up on command, or doing very small agility courses.

This 🤣🤣

Tonight's dinner guest.

Lovely, OP

I haven’t seen mine, but haven’t been out to check.
I wondered if they’re hibernating yet. I don’t think it’s cold enough just yet

Oh so jealous. Would love hedgehogs but not seen one in decades Too many badgers

@TheDuchessOfMN, I've read it's when the temperature drops below 5 degrees.
It's 9 here now (and my garden still has fuchsias etc in full flower still), so I think it will be a while yet!

[quote mineofuselessinformation]@TheDuchessOfMN, I've read it's when the temperature drops below 5 degrees.
It's 9 here now (and my garden still has fuchsias etc in full flower still), so I think it will be a while yet! [/quote]
That will be next week, where I am (according to my phone)

Just had to look at this thread! Like several previous posters,I had visions of you trying to train a hedgehog to sit and walk to heel.

@ALongHardWinter, I would so love to have a little line of hedgehogs performing tricks at my command! (I'd even be satisfied with one of them doing 'sit' and 'beg'... How cute would that be? )
The realist in me would just be satisfied to know that my attempt at a hedgehog hotel was successful.

These are my hedgehog houses and feeding station . Hedgehogs still need food throughout winter - none of mine hibernate but as they can travel so far overnight they like to have a few beds. They also like to clear the houses of hay to make beds elsewhere and expect them to be refilled.

Oh you lucky thing! No tips but I'm well jel.

How sweet.

I’m thinking about bad trip advisor reviews for some of your hotels