Post by Admin on Feb 15, 2018 16:13:39 GMT
This forum will mainly be centered on having fun, showing off your pets, and enjoying talking to others about them. If you have care questions, you're free to ask them, if you have opinions and advice, you're free to respectfully share it, but this forum isn't for debate. Please read these guidelines thoroughly and think before you post! 
Criticism VS constructive criticism.
If one must criticize another, we ask that it be constructive. In the following scenario, let's pretend a member posts a photo of their setup and asks for advice on improvement. The following quotes show how different plain criticism is from constructive criticism.
CONSTRUCTIVE
NEUTRAL
NOT CONSTRUCTIVE
Which one of these would you say to a friend in person? Which one would you rather have said to you? Remember, there is a person on the other side of the screen. We recommend going for "constructive", but "neutral" is okay too. "Not constructive" is what we don't like to see around the forum. Please keep discussion as kind and friendly as possible.
Another thing we'd like to note is when to give someone any type of criticism, constructive or not. If someone posts a photo of their cage just to show it off, and isn't looking for advice, it's okay to offer a tip or two, but most people that are just posting their setups to show off aren't looking for any advice. It's fine to offer advice and constructive/neutral criticism if someone is looking for it, though.
We want everyone to feel welcome here, whether they strongly believe in large cages, small cages, big wheels, small wheels, wood bedding, paper bedding, or just those who are new to pet care and need advice. Everyone's opinion should be respected, and if one would like to debate, all we ask is that it is done in a kind matter that won't make others feel pressured, hurt, or stressed. We reserve the right to close or remove any topics that we don't believe comply with this.
How can we all get along if we don't all have the same opinion?
Maybe we don't have all of the same care opinions in common, but we do have other things in common. Think about your friends in real life, chances are you won't agree on everything but you're still friends and still enjoy speaking with each other. For example, maybe not everyone agrees on a certain cage size for a certain pet, but we all probably love our pets, love to talk about them, and just love animals, and that's a lot to talk about! Show off those pictures of your pets, show off that setup you worked so hard on and are proud of, just enjoy your pets and enjoy talking about them to others.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read through this. Have fun and we hope you enjoy the forum! -Radical Rodents Staff
Criticism VS constructive criticism.
If one must criticize another, we ask that it be constructive. In the following scenario, let's pretend a member posts a photo of their setup and asks for advice on improvement. The following quotes show how different plain criticism is from constructive criticism.
CONSTRUCTIVE
Hi there! Your pets are adorable, I love their coloring, and they are so fluffy! As for your setup, I like to have a bigger wheel for my pets, I think your pets would really enjoy a nice, big 8 inch wheel too! You can get a really good deal on an 8 inch comfort wheel at (insert store here)! Or if you prefer saucer wheels, there are a lot of online stores with good deals. As for your cage size, it's up to you what size you'd like to provide for your pets, but personally I like to go as big as possible, because they sure do enjoy the space! If your pets seem like they'd enjoy some more space, and you have the ability to upgrade, I say go for it! You are the best judge of whether your pets are happy 
I also wanted to note that I like the fact you are using paper bedding instead of wood! It is a lot better on their respiratory system.
I also wanted to note that I like the fact you are using paper bedding instead of wood! It is a lot better on their respiratory system. NEUTRAL
Hi! It's great to see that you're asking for advice! Most people would recommend an 8 inch wheel or bigger for this pet, and the type of wheel that's best will vary, as everyone has their own opinions, but the most common wheel I've seen recommended is the comfort wheel. I think your pet would probably make good use of the extra space if you could upgrade, so an upgrade would be great.
NOT CONSTRUCTIVE
I really think you could use a bigger cage, your pets are likely unhappy and stressed in their current cage. It is proven that this type of pet will not be happy in anything that isn't at least (insert cage size number here). Also, you need to get a large wheel, the wheel you currently have is way too small for that pet, you need a wheel that is at least 8 inches, but I really really recommend 12.
Which one of these would you say to a friend in person? Which one would you rather have said to you? Remember, there is a person on the other side of the screen. We recommend going for "constructive", but "neutral" is okay too. "Not constructive" is what we don't like to see around the forum. Please keep discussion as kind and friendly as possible.
Another thing we'd like to note is when to give someone any type of criticism, constructive or not. If someone posts a photo of their cage just to show it off, and isn't looking for advice, it's okay to offer a tip or two, but most people that are just posting their setups to show off aren't looking for any advice. It's fine to offer advice and constructive/neutral criticism if someone is looking for it, though.
We want everyone to feel welcome here, whether they strongly believe in large cages, small cages, big wheels, small wheels, wood bedding, paper bedding, or just those who are new to pet care and need advice. Everyone's opinion should be respected, and if one would like to debate, all we ask is that it is done in a kind matter that won't make others feel pressured, hurt, or stressed. We reserve the right to close or remove any topics that we don't believe comply with this.
How can we all get along if we don't all have the same opinion?
Maybe we don't have all of the same care opinions in common, but we do have other things in common. Think about your friends in real life, chances are you won't agree on everything but you're still friends and still enjoy speaking with each other. For example, maybe not everyone agrees on a certain cage size for a certain pet, but we all probably love our pets, love to talk about them, and just love animals, and that's a lot to talk about! Show off those pictures of your pets, show off that setup you worked so hard on and are proud of, just enjoy your pets and enjoy talking about them to others.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read through this. Have fun and we hope you enjoy the forum! -Radical Rodents Staff