I thought it was really cute that the joeys would groom my fingers or try and "eat" them when they were itty bitty and it didn't hurt, but now they're getting bigger and it's not so cute anymore...

How do I teach them that it's wrong? I don't mind them licking and grooming my fingernails, but, for example, Lil' Dude will bite anywhere he can get ahold of! He'll take the end of my finger, shove as much as he can into his mouth, and chomp down! It doesn't hurt....yet...but I know it will in a couple more weeks.

They don't do it to be rebellious or mean, they're just curious and seem to be going through a chewing phase. I just don't want them to think it's right when they get older, so how do I put a damper on it? Or do I even need to? Is it something they'll simply grow out of?

When my babies each went through a nippy phase, I told them a strong, "NO!" My voice was sharp and commanding, and it startled them so they'd stop and look at me. Later I could just say, "No" in a normal tone and they'd stop. It didn't take long for them to learn.

You could also try making the "tssst!" sound like the mama does when she's peeved at the joey. It helps to distract them with a feather teaser or toy or something. You could also gently put them back in the pouch or cage for a brief time out.

Whatever you do, don't flick them on the nose or anything to hurt them or seem to punish them. What they're doing is natural, and a phase. If you don't correct it, it could continue, but it's fairly easy to correct (at least it was for my three).

Good luck!

I used the "tssst" sound with mine, and then distracting them to something else. As Katty said, most of them go through this phase because it is a way for them to explore their surroundings, just like puppies and babies do.

Thanks! I'll try the "no" cause I've already tried "tsst" and that didn't work. They're stubborn little buggers just like their mom and dad, lol.

honey or yougurt on your finger might also help.

I figured that "rewarding" them for biting my fingers would probably be a bad idea, lol. I'll make a little teaser toy and see if that helps.