Bonding

[Marie]

Bonding with your glider

Firstly you need to take into account what the breeder means when he says ‘he’s hand tame’.  What exactly does that mean?  Different breeders have different meanings for the term hand tame.  It could mean the glider won’t crab at you if you look at it, it could mean that the glider will take food out of their hand, or it could mean the glider will happily sit on their hand.  Whatever it means you should be aware that the glider is tame with the breeder - not you!!   The glider knows and trusts the breeder, he doesn’t know you so you cannot expect him to be perfect with you when you get him home!

You need to gain the glider’s trust, he needs to feel safe and secure and know you won’t hurt him.  Put yourself in your glider’s shoes, he’s tiny compared to you, treat him gently and talk softly to him.

When you get home, place an old piece of clothing that you have worn for a day or two (but not washed) over the cage, or you could give the breeder a small piece of fabric that you’ve worn on your person to put into the pouch.   This is so the glider will become familiar with your scent while he sleeps.  Then put him/them in the cage and leave them to become familiar with their new surroundings.  Remember the glider is only familiar with the breeders home, your home will be filled with new noises and scents.  Do not try and get your gliders out for 2-3 days; you should of course feed them, and you could sit in the same room and watch and talk to them softly. 

It’s important that while you’re still bonding with your gliders they come into contact with as few a people as possible to avoid scaring them.  If people want to see your babies take a picture and show them that instead.

Once your gliders have settled into their new home you can start gaining their trust; I suggest you have a pot of live fruity yogurt at the ready.  The best time to start bonding is during the daytime or early evening while they are still sleepy.  Take their sleeping pouch (with the gliders in it) out of the cage and sit with it under your jumper for a while.  Talk to them softly and pet them through the pouch.  Open the top making sure they’re at the bottom  and peek in.  At this point you will probably be crabbed at, just carry on talking softly and reassuringly to them.  They can’t understand what you’re saying but it’s the tone of voice that is important.

When they stop crabbing you could try offering some yogurt from the back of your hand, they will probably start crabbing again but don’t be put off, when they crab don’t pull back just stay still until they stop and then you can continue.  Don’t try offering them fingers as they will be able to grab and bite them!  You may experience some lunging, some gliders will swipe at you with a paw, again don’t be put off by this, just try and understand they are scared and reassure them.  The aim is to gain trust at this stage, they need to associate your hands with positive experiences which will make them feel safe and reassured.

Allow the gliders to lick some of the yogurt off but don’t let him take it all.  Gliders instinctively gouge to find more food - this is how they would get their fill of sap in the wild, and this is what they will do if the yogurt runs out.  They need to learn that they will be rewarded for good behaviour, so do not remove your hand when they crab or bite, only top up the yogurt when they are quiet.

At this stage do not try and remove the glider from the cage or the pouch by hand. 

When you can put your hand into the pouch without being crabbed at and without being bitten you are ready to progress.   The aim this time is to try and pet the gliders body using the yogurt as a treat and as a distraction.  Now your glider has learnt that good behaviour is rewarding try just dipping your finger (it will make stroking him easier without having to use both hands), let him have a few licks and top up the yogurt as before, then this time try and pet his body  - probably easier to use your thumb at this point.  When you can do this without crabbing the next step is to try and get your hand underneath him so he is sitting on top of your hand.  I find the best way to do this is to use both hands, if you’re right handed as I am you will find it easier to have the yogurt on your left hand and use your right hand to scoop the glider up from BEHIND, this way you are out of the way of the teeth and by scooping forward you can release the claws from whatever fabric they are clinging on to.  I also like to position my fingers so that the gliders front feet end up holding on to my finger tips.

Picking a glider up can be tricky as they are squirmy!  Do not try and pick a glider up mid body, the chances are you will get bitten (unless your glider is completely bonded and trusts you without question), there’s also the problem of claws, the claws are like hooks and they can be a nightmare to free from whatever they are holding on to.  The best way to release the claws is from behind, try and replace whatever they are holding onto with your finger, never just pull and hope they will release.  Once you have perfected this it will become easy for you to release all the claws from each paw as you scoop forwards. 

You will notice that I haven’t put a timescale on how long each exercise should take, that’s because each glider is different, it depends on how much work the breeder has done as well as the glider’s individual personality; and you.  If you’re confident then  the glider will pick this up and the process will take alot less time.  It’s easier to trust a person who has confidence in you than someone who is afraid or wary of you.

You’ve gained the trust of your glider, so now it’s down to some real bonding.  The best time to bond with a glider is during the daytime.  Now you can scoop your glider out of the sleeping pouch you can put him into a bonding pouch which you can wear around your neck during the day, preferably one that fastens shut.  You may want to put a piece of fabric from the sleeping pouch into the bonding pouch just to reassure the glider.  I don’t recommend you take the glider out of the house just yet though, not until they are bonded with you.  You can talk to your gliders and pet them through the pouch and offer them treats.  The idea is that the gliders will be comfortable enough to fall asleep on you.  After a week of being in the bonding pouch for a few hours a day you can start leaving the zip open a little and see what happens, your glider may come out and explore you, or he may stay put.  The idea here is that the glider remains with you, if he doesn’t you need to gently scoop him up and put him back into the pouch. It’s difficult to say how long the bonding process will take, a glider is classed as bonded when if something startles them they will run to you; if they’re out playing and you need to catch them you can just put a leg in front of them and they will jump on, they’ll sit on your shoulder or sleep down your top without trying to escape.  They’ll come to your hand if you put it out to them and you will generally just be their tree!

You could at this point start to encourage interaction through the medium of play (LOL!), feathers are a favorite as they like to chase them and pounce on them, lots of fun for everyone.  In the U.S they use a tent for their playtime which I think is a great idea!  It puts you and them in a confined, safe space together, you can take in treats and toys that you can all play with together, you will probably be used as a springboard and as a treat dispenser machine but so long as they’re interacting with you it doesn’t matter.  If the glider comes and nips your fingers - don’t treat him!!

Playtime out of cage must be done in a ‘glider proofed’room.  All possible escape routes should be blocked bearing in mind they can squeeze through inch square gaps!!  Although gliders aren’t really chewers, electric sockets should be covered so that if they urinate near them they won’t become damp and dangerous!!  They’re likely to use electric cables to climb on.  It’s important to remember that nothing is out of reach to a glider, so remove any ornaments and house plants from the room completely.

Trust, bonding and play will make for a fantastic pet.  My bonded gliders will happily cling to me all day while I go about my daily business, I could trust them to stay there whatever I do or wherever I go BUT I DON’T!!!  Just because they are completely bonded doesn’t mean they won’t get curious and jump off up a tree to explore, the next thing they know is they’re lost and they panic and they’re gone!!  I would be devastated if that was to happen so if I go anywhere outdoors with them they go into their secure bonding pouch so I know exactly where they are.  I’m not willing to even risk losing my babies.

Bonding Do’s and Don’ts

Do go at your glider’s speed, don’t push them, the bond will be that much stronger if you allow them to come around in their own time.

Do talk to them, if you spend time watching and talking to them while they are in the cage you will notice they will pay attention, they won’t sit or roll over but they do acknowledge you.

Do reward good behaviour.

Do be patient; trust and good strong bonding doesn’t happen over night. 

Do play with your gliders, allow 2-3 hours a night for out of cage playtime.

Do enjoy the time you spend with them, if it is a chore then maybe gliders aren’t for you!

Don’t punish your glider - even if it bites you hard!!  By shouting, swiping at them, flicking them or anything that’s negative, it will destroy all the hard work you’ve put into gaining their trust in the first place!

Don’t rush any of the stages, go at your gliders pace.

Don’t be afraid to go back a step, if for whatever reason things go wrong go back to the previous stage.

Don’t allow crowds of family and friends to coo over your gliders before they are bonded, this is likely to scare them.

Don’t chase your gliders, if playtime is in a tent it will be alot easier to put them away than if they are running loose in your room.

© Shropshire Exotics 01/10/07

[jungleflockmom]

This is a realistic, straightforward guide to making friends with a glider. Thanks, Marie!!

I guess the thing I most needed to be reminded of was that the process of making friends with a captive, exotic animal can take weeks or several months depending upon the glider's experiences before it came to me.

[Alzy]

where can you get acacia gum from? and are there different types?

[Marie]

You can get it from me!  There's only the one type though

[Rob]

Marie,

This is SO helpful! Especially as I'm picking mine up on Friday

Am just so glad I found this website

Thank you!

[Amalthea]

We're glad you found us, too, Rob

[tillie]

Great piece, well done again Marie.

[nancy8700]

When they stop crabbing you could try offering some yogurt from the back of your hand, they will probably start crabbing again but don’t be put off, when they crab don’t pull back just stay still until they stop and then you can continue. 

I've tried feeding them their fav food.  Boiled eggs.  They will not come near my hand.

Allow the gliders to lick some of the yogurt off but don’t let him take it all. 

I put yogurt in their food bowl and on apples.  They did not like it at all.  I've tried honey and they will not come near me. 

When you can do this without crabbing the next step is to try and get your hand underneath him so he is sitting on top of your hand.

Will this ever happen for me?  They run from me, bite scream.  How in the world can I get them to sit in my hand?  They run from me like I'm a monster.  If I put them on my hand they might run away forever.

Picking a glider up can be tricky as they are squirmy!  Do not try and pick a glider up mid body, the chances are you will get bitten (unless your glider is completely bonded and trusts you without question),

I have to put on a glove and get them out of their sleeping bag.  They poop the worst smell because I give them live food.

Trust, bonding and play will make for a fantastic pet.  My bonded gliders will happily cling to me all day while I go about my daily business,

Will this ever happen for me?

the next thing they know is they’re lost and they panic and they’re gone!! 

This is all I can think about when I hold them sitting on the couch.  I can not let them go at all.  They hate me. 

Bonding Do’s and Don’ts

Do go at your glider’s speed, don’t push them, the bond will be that much stronger if you allow them to come around in their own time.

I'm bonding with a pouch every day.  I hold them every other day.  I put a glider string around them and let them move around the table.  They hate me.

Do talk to them, if you spend time watching and talking to them while they are in the cage you will notice they will pay attention, they won’t sit or roll over but they do acknowledge you.

I wisper, talk sing.  When I sing, O liv e a, Rod I love you,  My babies.  She is my good girl/ good boy (when they are in the bonding pouch) they do not scream.  This is one of the things that encourages me.

Do reward good behaviour.

After they stop crying from the glider string around their neck I'm encouraged.  They like being on the table. 

Do be patient; trust and good strong bonding doesn’t happen over night. 

I bought them at Christmas.  She was 6 wks.  He was 8.  Now they are 11 and 13 weeks old.

Do play with your gliders, allow 2-3 hours a night for out of cage playtime.

Do you want me to do this in my room?  How will this help them trust and want to be on my person???

Do enjoy the time you spend with them, if it is a chore then maybe gliders aren’t for you!

N/A

Don’t punish your glider - even if it bites you hard!!  By shouting, swiping at them, flicking them or anything that’s negative, it will destroy all the hard work you’ve put into gaining their trust in the first place!

Never!  Someone told me to blow a little at them very softly when they bit.  They hate me. why would it be a good idea to blow at them when they are not happy being with me?  I've blown once and only once.  I will not make them cry on purpose.

Don’t rush any of the stages, go at your gliders pace.

What is a gliders pace?  I think now that they are getting older and their bite is unbarable, I will soon miss the opportunity of them wanting to be my pet.  I'm so scare.  I saw them at the mall. TAME.  I want more than anything to have them love me.  Hell, I spent $600.00 getting them and housing and food.  I have inversted time and money.  I lLOVE LOVE LOVE them even if they do not love me.

Don’t be afraid to go back a step, if for whatever reason things go wrong go back to the previous stage.

I've gotten no where since Christmas Day.

Don’t allow crowds of family and friends to coo over your gliders before they are bonded, this is likely to scare them.
My son is scared of them.  He breaks my heart when he says they hate me.  Nobody loves me.

Don’t chase your gliders, if playtime is in a tent it will be alot easier to put them away than if they are running loose in your room.

Huh?

[Marie]

When they stop crabbing you could try offering some yogurt from the back of your hand, they will probably start crabbing again but don’t be put off, when they crab don’t pull back just stay still until they stop and then you can continue. 

1.  I've tried feeding them their fav food.  Boiled eggs.  They will not come near my hand.
Allow the gliders to lick some of the yogurt off but don’t let him take it all. 

2.  I put yogurt in their food bowl and on apples.  They did not like it at all.  I've tried honey and they will not come near me. 

When you can do this without crabbing the next step is to try and get your hand underneath him so he is sitting on top of your hand.

3.  Will this ever happen for me?  They run from me, bite scream.  How in the world can I get them to sit in my hand?  They run from me like I'm a monster.  If I put them on my hand they might run away forever.

Picking a glider up can be tricky as they are squirmy!  Do not try and pick a glider up mid body, the chances are you will get bitten (unless your glider is completely bonded and trusts you without question),

4. I have to put on a glove and get them out of their sleeping bag.  They poop the worst smell because I give them live food.

Trust, bonding and play will make for a fantastic pet.  My bonded gliders will happily cling to me all day while I go about my daily business,

5.  Will this ever happen for me?

the next thing they know is they’re lost and they panic and they’re gone!!

This is all I can think about when I hold them sitting on the couch.  I can not let them go at all.  They hate me.

Bonding Do’s and Don’ts

Do go at your glider’s speed, don’t push them, the bond will be that much stronger if you allow them to come around in their own time.

6.  I'm bonding with a pouch every day.  I hold them every other day.  I put a glider string around them and let them move around the table.  They hate me.

Do talk to them, if you spend time watching and talking to them while they are in the cage you will notice they will pay attention, they won’t sit or roll over but they do acknowledge you.

7.  I wisper, talk sing.  When I sing, O liv e a, Rod I love you,  My babies.  She is my good girl/ good boy (when they are in the bonding pouch) they do not scream.  This is one of the things that encourages me.

Do reward good behaviour.

8.  After they stop crying from the glider string around their neck I'm encouraged.  They like being on the table.

Do be patient; trust and good strong bonding doesn’t happen over night. 

9.  I bought them at Christmas.  She was 6 wks.  He was 8.  Now they are 11 and 13 weeks old.

Do play with your gliders, allow 2-3 hours a night for out of cage playtime.

10.  Do you want me to do this in my room?  How will this help them trust and want to be on my person???

Do enjoy the time you spend with them, if it is a chore then maybe gliders aren’t for you!

N/A

Don’t punish your glider - even if it bites you hard!!  By shouting, swiping at them, flicking them or anything that’s negative, it will destroy all the hard work you’ve put into gaining their trust in the first place!

11.  Never!  Someone told me to blow a little at them very softly when they bit.  They hate me. why would it be a good idea to blow at them when they are not happy being with me?  I've blown once and only once.  I will not make them cry on purpose.

Don’t rush any of the stages, go at your gliders pace.

12.  What is a gliders pace?  I think now that they are getting older and their bite is unbarable, I will soon miss the opportunity of them wanting to be my pet.  I'm so scare.  I saw them at the mall. TAME.  I want more than anything to have them love me.  Hell, I spent $600.00 getting them and housing and food.  I have inversted time and money.  I lLOVE LOVE LOVE them even if they do not love me.

Don’t be afraid to go back a step, if for whatever reason things go wrong go back to the previous stage.

13.  I've gotten no where since Christmas Day.

Don’t allow crowds of family and friends to coo over your gliders before they are bonded, this is likely to scare them.
My son is scared of them.  He breaks my heart when he says they hate me.  Nobody loves me.

14.  Don’t chase your gliders, if playtime is in a tent it will be alot easier to put them away than if they are running loose in your room.

Huh?

You've confused matters a little here as you've not 'quoted' my posts, but I shall try and sift through and answer your questions.  I've highlighted your questions in RED for your and other peoples benefit.

1. Your gliders are AFRAID of you, back off completely, do NOT try this stage yet as since you've had them you've handled them in gloves and tied string around their necks.  Go back to sitting next to their cage and talking to them, reading to them, offering them treats through the bars.  Do NOT shove your hand in their face, THEY need to come to you.

2.  They don't like honey or yogurt, well this could be because they've never tried it before.  Try different flavours of yogurt, drizzle honey over the top of their food.

3. Simple answer - don't try yet.  Bonding requires alot of time and patience, once again, your gliders are AFRAID of you, they've been taken away from their parents handled roughly (probably) if at all by the person you bought them off, sold onto to someone they don't know, who handles them whether they (the suggies) want to be or not. 

4.  DON'T try and handle them YET.  DO NOT TRY AND PICK THEM UP WHILE THEY CRAB AT YOUR PRESENCE.

5.  I cannot say yes, definately, this may never happen for you because you got the joeys from a shop, a breeder is a safer bet.  You NEED plenty of patience and you NEED to take it VERY slowly.

6.  You've only had them 3 weeks, they are AFRAID, DON'T put them in a bonding pouch for a while, DON'T handle them and definately DON'T put them on a string to walk around the table.  If you want to bond with them, leave them alone UNTIL they will jump over from one side of the cage to the other to see you. 

7. Continue to talk gently to them. 

8.  You MUST stop putting the string around their necks ... I'd cry if string was put around my neck by a complete stranger.  What if the glider did make a sudden dash for it or leapt off the table?  The suggie would seriously injure if not kill itself!

9.  Christmas was only 3 weeks ago.  What doesn't help is the female was TOO YOUNG to leave her parents, most breeders wait for the joey to be about 10 weeks before they go to a new home.

10.  Maybe you should buy a small tent and allow them to play in there with you.  The point of playing is so that your gliders think you're fun to be with.  I wouldn't recommend this for you though as you do need to have some degree of 'control' over them.

11.  Good for you, after all, they're AFRAID of you, blowing will not help!

12.  What makes you say they were tame?  I'd be happy to bet that they weren't!  They're still very young, but if you rush the bonding process you will do more damage than good. 

13.  It may take until next Christmas, but if you want these as pets you will have to accept that.

14.  I would NOT recommend YOU let your suggies run loose around your room, get a small tent that you can sit in with your suggies, take their pouch in and place it away from you so that they're not AFRAID to go in it.  Chasing is a predatory action, this will make the MORE AFRAID of you than they already are.

[lilyofthedamned]

Hey! This really helped me. So if things aren't going so well right now should I just start of from square one?

[Marie]

I'm glad it's helped! Yep, the important thing is to go at the suggies pace, patience is the key to bonding, and don't be afraid to back off completely if things start to really go downhill!  I find this really works with my rescues, feed them, talk to them, offer a treat through the bars, if they're not interested, fine!  Building a good solid base is the mos important thing. 

[lilyofthedamned]

When i give him treats he bites the crap out of me. I know you're suposed to take it but I have a hard time doing that. it's really hard to know when he's scared because he really doesn't crab at all. he' doesn't even crab before he lunges at me, he just goes.

[tillie]

Ah bless he sounds really scared, take a step back and go back to talking to him through the bars for a day or so then maybe try treats again.  Can you put a piece of fleece in his pouch with your scent on it, it may help a little.

[Suggieluvs]

When I had mine I talked to them softly as the tone of voice is very important, give them a little fruit though the bars if you want and but a peice of cloth with your sent on in the sleeping pouch he will pick up your sent just go back to square one then restart but go at the gliders pase not yours, Sarah

[lilyofthedamned]

thanx! The only thing I probably wont do for a awhile is feed him treats through the bars because he bites me when I do that. I have no more vacant fingers.