Message:

Subject: Re: Please Help New Glider Owner
Posted by Thresa on January 14, 1999 at 12:04:35:

In Reply to: Please Help New Glider Owner posted by Ayala on January 13, 1999 at 22:32:52:

Hi Ayala, You got baby boy glider, congratulations!
Tyler's nature is to act just as you describe. He'll be defensive like that until he learns you are the safest thing in his environment and will never hurt him.
You are going to have to take charge and not let him be "boss". Expect to be crabbed at and nipped at. If you pull away and allow the behavior, he'll always do it.
There's a few ways to go about taming him.
You can put a pouch in his bed for him to fall asleep in, then pick up the pouch with him inside it instead of just reaching in for a vulnerable glider. The pouch will feel secure to him and he'll want to stay in it. He will be easier to handle in his sleeping pouch at first since he'll have "shelter". Offer him a treat, talk to him quietly and pet him gently, let him fall back asleep and carry him inside the pouch in your pocket or pinned inside your shirt.
He should sleep through the day, he will learn all your noises and movements.
When you do reach in to pet him when he's not in his pouch, reach with the back of your fingers/hand and pet him with your knuckles, there's less chance he'll strike at you. If you reach with fingers separated, he'll surely bite a finger.
Working with one glider is going to take some time, I'd wait on getting the second until you've made friends.
Once you've become buddies, it won't matter if he has a chage mate, even a wild glider can be a good cage mate for your tamed pet. You might have to be cautious though if the untamed one decides to be protective of your Tyler.
If you want Tylers cage buddy to be your buddy too, try to get a young one like Tyler.
Anyway, handle your Tyler in a pouch, he'll figure out that it's the safest place in the world to be, you'll be taking him everywhere with you in no time.

C'mon guys, I know you have more to say about this......
Thresa
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