Message:

Subject: Re: Missy still really scared
Posted by Tiffany on January 15, 1999 at 12:27:04:

In Reply to: Re: Missy still really scared posted by Susan on January 15, 1999 at 10:52:24:

Cynthia, I agree that time is important, but carrying them is soooo important - then they imprint to your voice, etc. Just my opinion, but I would carry the little thing 18 hours a day til it settled in, and not let other people touch it for the first week or so so that it isn't confused about who is the parent.
:) Tiffany

: Cynthia - I have had my male glider for 4 weeks and my female for 3. Both were so "crabby" and the girl bit the heck out of me. I kept coming on here and reading about everyone's sweet little tame gliders and thinking I was a fool to buy mine at the pet store that they were never going to be tame. Well, it happens. Try all the tricks, sure, but what really works is time. That and gentleness. I haven't been bit now for over a week and I handle them all the time. Yes, they are still a little afraid, but less and less each day. The crabbing has almost stopped completely. I can reach into their sleeping nest and tickle and stroke them with no fear. They are making little advances, for example, now they will jump on me or let me assist them when they are out of their cage during play time in the bathroom. So time. Time, patience and gentleness. You say you can't wait to hold them - well try it every day, let them crab, give them some maple syrup on your finger. But do it for just a moment, getting longer as they get more comfortable. If you aren't comfortable with that, just get your hands in their cage while they're up and about, stroke, feed, tickle, just watch. Good luck.

: : : It has been about 3 days since I brought Missy home. She is eating very well and seems to feel comfortable in her cage. However, shestill gets very upset and scared whenever I go to open the cage door to feed her. She has bitten me quite a few times now but I don't remove my hand when she does even though it is not the most pleasant thing in the world. Are there any other ways to make her feel more comfortable with me? I put a worn Tshirt in her cage so that she gets used to my smell. I understand that patience is the key but I am dying to hold her. Thanks for all of your help.

: : Try using a bonding pouch. Place her into a pouch that she can not escape from or hang a pouch within her cage for her to sleep in, removing her nest. Then take her out of the cage while she is sleepy. Wear the pouch so that she gets use to the sound of your voice, the touch of your hand as you stroke her through the pouch, so that she gets use to usual house hold noise and activities. As she become accoustomed to these she will crab less and less. Then you can begin stroking her inside the pouch while she is sleeping and get her use to your touch that way. Offer her treats when she is awake with your fingers allowing her to come to you to get them. Time and patience are the keys words here.

Follow Ups:

• Hey Susan and Tiffany Cynthia 13:35:41 1/15/99 (1)
  • Re: Hey Susan and Tiffany Tiffany 15:07:23 1/15/99 (0)