In Reply to: hey --can bourbon email me i need to talk really----- posted by stef on April 20, 2000 at 09:48:32:

Ok... I will try to help, but there are more experienced people out there (like Bourbon that would be better advised) Please be patient with Bourbon and the other experienced glider-owners here, Stef. They don't always have time to come on the board to answer questions. Bourbon is a VERY busy person.
It appears that your little ones are not yet bonded to you. Unfortunetely you have more than one - so taking the necessary time to bond one-on-one is cut down (unless you don't like to sleep.) Here is what I suggest...

1st... Put something in both cages to get their scent on it.. (pouch, cloth toy, rag or towel, etc) Possibley for a week or so. Then EXCHANGE those items and put them in the opposite cages.. It will make it so they become familiar with each others smell.
-- In the mean time you need to BOND with these little guys.. I think though that Otis is just too old to bond with you. They bond with people when they are just under 1 year old - so you may have to just accept Otis for the way he is and love the little treasures he does give you. The other two you may still have a chance with. If possible, while they are sleeping - have them in their pouches around your neck or atleast on you. They will then get used to you and your smell. They will come to trust you as long as you don't hurt them while they are on you.

2nd... After you accomplish #1 for a week - try and see if the two younger ones get along... Let them out (and make sure you are with them at ALL TIMES) and let them play without Otis for a couple nights. Possibley make it in another room away from Otis' cage. If you see that they do get along you are making wonderful progress. Make sure you return Milo to Otis' cage though - so Otis doesn't stress out.

3rd... You must remember that SGs are territorial. They don't like strangers UNLESS they are the opposite sex..
I am not sure if keeping the cages close together is a good thing or not.. Try it both ways and see what happens..

4th... You may consider having them all neutered.. It will not help Otis to have him breed with a female. In my opinion, it will make him much worse. You have all Males which isn't a bad thing, but as soon as you put a female around them - they will get worse and fight over her.
So please talk with your Vet and see whats best for you..

You have to earn their TRUST.. That is the reason they continue to bite. Don't try to force them to like you.. Don't try to pick them up (unless you need to put them back in their cages) allow them to climb on you like you were a human tree. Again - give them treats - allow them to take a lick off of your finger but them remove your hand to get more.. Try not to let them get more than one to two licks off of your finger. When they bite do not pull away.. Try not to flinch either. I know it hurts..
There is so much more, but start with that and check back in with us.. Maybe some other people can give some more insight on this subject..

Good Luck!!

:o)
Jen

Follow Ups:

• Re: hey --can bourbon email me i need to talk really----- stef 11:23:47 04/20/2000 (2)
  • Nuetering Mary 14:13:34 04/22/2000 (0)
  • Re: hey --can bourbon email me i need to talk really----- Jen L 11:34:28 04/20/2000 (0)