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Subject: Re: since he is in the big cage he just avoids me (not good for the bonding process at all)
Posted by Xay on August 25, 1998 at 02:13:26:

In Reply to: since he is in the big cage he just avoids me (not good for the bonding process at all) posted by Ramona on August 23, 1998 at 12:13:03:

Hi Ramona!

I had the same problem with Pookie when I got her a cage 3 times bigger than her original. She ran around alot in the beginning. Using a little animal psychology I knew that chasing after her with my hands wouldn't do any good. Why? Because they will make a game out of it or worse, become stress from it. Please keep in mind, let the glider come to you and you should avoid giving in to taking the treat to her. I suggest keeping the treats in play. Get her to jump on your hand to get the treat. If she takes the treat and jumps off running away, that's ok. Eventually, she will stay on you longer. Then move on to holding on to the treat and not let go. This will cause your glider to eat the treat while on your hand. This process is basically to build up her trust in you as well as associating your hands reaching in as a good thing. Eventually your glider should look forward to you hands. Later on it will jump on you hand even if there is not a treat.

Another way in trying to stop the chase is consistent feeding habit. Every time you set out the food in your glider's cage, always make sure to get it's attention. As if you are saying, "Hey, here is your food.". You can get there attention by calling their name or putting the bowl near the glider so it can smell what it is. Do this at every feeding and eventually your glider will be climbing onto the bowl before you even set it down. Just like little puppies.

In summary, you are trying to create a positive thing when you reach in the cage. By using treats and constistency you are trying to change the glider's point of view about your approaching hands. Soon your glider will look forward to each feeding and your approaching hands.

Hope this helps.
Austin, TX glider,
Xay

: Since Snuggles moved in into the new cage he is very happy and runs and jumps around all night. This is great but it seems that he is less interested now in bonding with me. It is like "Now that I have the huge cage - what do I need You for ??" (view of snuggles). I have him still with me every day in between 2 shirts or in a pocket (usually for 5-7 hours) and then when he wakes up around 9pm I start talking and sit next to the cage. He is all over the place. When I put my hand in there he couldn't care less about it, except when I have a treat but even then sometimes he won't come.
: I would just like some advice what I can do now to keep the bonding process happening. It just is that in this big cage he can avoid me as much as he wants.
: Thanks for any help.

: Ramona & Snuggles :):):)

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