In Reply to: confused! posted by Danielle on April 08, 1999 at 17:24:24:

:Hi Danielle

**Welcome to the wonderful world of owning a sugarglider. These creatures take a LOT of work and sacrifice to maintain. But if you're up to the challenge, it's DEFINITLY worth it.

Let's see, you've had Toby since October, huh?? Well, he should be bonding to you fairly well by now. In my opinion, you probably really need to dig your heels in NOW and begin the battle of wills, witts, patience and pain, or Toby will never be the pet you fantasized about.

I know the crabbing can be un-nerving, such a loud noise from something so small is hard to imagine til ya hear it. That noise is supposed to make you "freak" and "jump". It's one of their few defenses, and it works wonders.

In addition, these creatures seem to move at lightning speed, and that will make you just as nervous as the biting and crabbing. Most people fear the unknown, and sugarglider behavior is definitely unpredictable (at first). Have faith, you'll get used to his antics and will be able to better cope. It takes time and close observation.

As so many have said before: You are a GIAAANT to him, and he is VERY frightened and unsure. Try to carry him in a pouch during the day while he's sleeping, and periodically put your hand in as a fist (this is less intimidating and you're less likely to get a bad bite) then SLOWLY unfold your fingers and GENTLY stroke him. He may still crab and might even nip, hang tough dont flinch or pull away, if he sees that crabbing isnt gettin' rid of you but the nipping does, he'll soon become impossible to train. He'll then have the "upper hand".

DONT use gloves, Toby HAS GOT TO learn to associate the odor of YOUR HAND/FLESH/CLOTHING with good things. When he's not biting you, you may want to try bribing him shamlessly with his favorite treats.

Remember daytime (their sleepytime) is bonding time; night time is play time, which can be turned into bonding time if you are an inter-active owner. Try closing you and Toby in a bathroom. Stuff a towel under the door cracks, make SURE all drains and the toilet lid are closed, then hang towels securely in strategic places in the bathroom to give him safe places to jump to, play on, hide in/behind. You can sit and let him come to you or CAREFULLY approach him and offer a caress or favorite treat. DONOT leave him unattended. Closely observe his body language and movements, learn from him.

Avoid negative reinforcement, and DONOT EVER ANTAGONIZE your glider -- this just makes 'em mean -- believe me, I thought it was cute at first to be "attacked" by my glider, now he's a mean little SNOT (but I love him anyway -- he was my first)

Above all remain calm. They seem to know when you're nervous and it either makes them nervous, or they just take FULL advantage.

I jumped into this sugarglider thing about a year ago, now I've got four. Each has taken about 90-120 days of proper attention & handling to tame. My first glider is a SNOT, because I didnt train him right and it is too late now. But each is better than the last because I've learned from my mistakes; I didnt have the benefit of this board to learn from and ask questions of. Please use it to you and Toby's advantage -- You and Toby still have a chance -- go get 'em girlfriend -- Keep us posted ;-)

LOL ~Tammy H~

Follow Ups:

• OOPs, I typed October in the above note, I meant to type January, sorry n/m TammyH 19:59:59 4/08/99 (0)