 | Posted by: | Debbie, delliott@tulane.edu | | Subject: | biting new owners (me!) | | When: | 2:38 PM, 01 Nov 2000 | | IP: | 129.81.66.151 |
Hi. I am a busy physician but an animal lover and just bought a male and female SG from a newspaper ad. I liked the family they came from: alot like mine with children and lots of other animals in the household. Supposedly the woman (not present when we came for our new pets) was allergic to them, and that was why they were being sold. I was told that they were bred by another private citizen (not a formal breeder) who had a big cage in his garage with little family interaction. But that these had been handled daily, and "never bit". The male, Dobby, climbed right up on me then and I was smitten - the rest is history. That was four days ago. Since then I let them get used to their surroundings for a half day, but handled Dobby the next morning. I never pull on him at all - just let him go wherever he wants to on my body. A few times I have to retrieve him when he decides to jump off of me because I don't trust I won't lose him (plus we have a dog - a Sheltie who has never killed an animal, and two cats who have). To make a long story short, this SG seems to get worse and worse about biting me! It is starting to hurt, and I am not aggravating him. The other family had a dog and cats too. Any suggestions? Might he be in that difficult "teenage" stage (I read about this) - our gerbals go through that stage too and I am hoping that's the answer. He doesn't have his bald spot yet, but is a good five inches long in his body, smells strongly of musk, and he and his sister are exhibiting mating behavior. (BTW, his sister Winkie is shy and we are just now starting to insist on more contact with her. But Dobby willingly comes out of his cage on my arm to play.) Thank you for any advice.
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| Posted by: | Mary/Beck, intr01dc@frank.mtsu.edu | | Subject: | Are you going to neuter him?? | | When: | 2:58 PM, 01 Nov 2000 | | IP: | 12.77.80.223 |
If you have a brother and sister and they are starting to mate you deffinitly need to get him neutered right away. Do you know their ages.
It sounds like they are still young but already they have been in three homes. I can undertand why they are having trouble trusting you. Gliders bond with one or two people and that is a lifelong bond. It takes a lot of time and love for the glider to bond with that person. They have been in 3 homes in just a few months...that has taught them that things aren't going to be permemnat. They will have a hard time trustiong you if they think you are just another temporary home. Gliders do not like change and they don't do well with it. Your house smells different and has differnt noises and activities.
It will just take them awhile to realuze that you are their permant home..just keep trying. Give them lots of love and attention, but don't push them.
Now the fact that they are getting worse in the past 4 days indicates that soemthing is aggrivating them. It could be smell...do you always smell the same when around them? Some gliders don't like certain smells that can be found in shampoo,soap, lotion,fabric softenr, perfume, etc. If you pet the dog or cat ebfore handling the gliders then you smell like a predator to them. So naturally they will bite you. If you smell like a flower or fruit they may bite you ebcause you smell like you should taste good. So try washing your hands really good wirh warm water before playtime or handling.
Gliders don't like loud noises or bright lights. When you wnat to handle or playtwith them turn the lights really low and have the room quiet. This will help them to be calmer. Don't have any other pets in the room. I would not have any kids in the room either because they tend to make sudden movements or loud noises. Too many people could overwhelm the gliders...so just ahve one person work with them for now. As they start to trust you they will eb more comfortable around others.
Anytime you get close to those gliders have licky treats on your fingers...that way they will associate your hands with good things and will lick not bite. If you approch them without a licky trweat and get bit only blame yourself. If the licky stuff gets too thin then they may bite so always keep a bunch on your fingers. While feeding the treats talk softly to them.
What have you been doing when they bite you? The way you react to a bite can cause them to only bite harder.
I would deffinitly read and follow bourbons bonding page...but as of right now it is down..hopefully it will be back up soon.
| Posted by: | Mary/Beck, intr01dc@frank.mtsu.edu | | Subject: | none | | When: | 3:05 PM, 01 Nov 2000 | | IP: | 12.77.80.223 |
Read and follow:
<a href=http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/bonding.html>http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/bonding.html</a>
| Posted by: | Lu (Winky's Mom), frufru33@hotmail.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 8:02 AM, 02 Nov 2000 | | IP: | 12.77.149.157 |
My baby's name is Winky also (like the "Harry Potter" elf). If I get a male for her, I plan on naming him Dobby.  These babies have been through a lot and they'll need LOTS of patience and love. I got Winky from a pet shop, so, imagine that! Mary has great advice and Boubon's bonding is also awesome! Keep us posted and good luck!
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