a way to bond

[browner93]

whats the best way to bond with 2 older male suggies i work 8:30am untill 5pm i cant really take them to work as loud noises and temps
then using a bonding pouch what do you do? remove suggies from sleeping pouch and pop into bonding pouch? or put binding pouch in cage for them to sleep in then just remove pouch?

thanks for all replys
Josh

[Usha77]

Either one should work, assuming the bonding pouch is safe when unsupervised.  I would take them out in the pouch and hold them and hold and stroke the outside of the pouch while talking to them.  See if you can put your hand in there to pet them and they may start cuddling you that way.  For me, some of the best bonding has come from licky treats (like yogurt and applesauce) and from tent time (or bathroom/glider-proof room time).  If you allow them the freedom to play and frolic while you remain in the midst of it and calm and just let them do what they will, I have found that they will more than likely play on you and climb on you and find places on you that they love to groom and cuddle with. 

[Emma9383]

I've used my bonding puch twice since I got them, the tent has been the best but I want to have them with me on weekends n afternoons off so thought the bonding pouch would be ideal. 1st time of getting them out the pouch they were asleep in n into bonding one was fine, then yesterday they hacked me to bits. got bitten several times by each suggie n now have really sore hands  they drew blood and everything. I kept them in the pouch all afternoon, trying to be as quiet as poss n was stroking them lovingly through the pouch. they crabbed several times for long periods. Later then evening I went into tent thinking they'd cheer up coz we have a great time in there. I opened the zip n they sat shaking and crabbing at me for ages so I ended up putting them back in the cage coz I didn't want to distress them anymore  Now I'm kinda apprehensive to take them out again for the bonding pouch. I'm gonna have to man up n do it though.

I'd def recomment a tent though, Mine usually climb on my head to jump off, one climbs to top of tent and waits for me to put hand up there to jump onto (this gets very tiring as she never gets bored and I end up with a popeye arm by the end of it) I get the pouch out of cage while they're still asleep ( about half 7 - 8ish) and take it in tent then put each one in bonding pouch to get back into cage. I had to invest in another as each time I got one in pouch, when I tried to get other one in, 1st would jump out again!

[browner93]

hahah this sounds funny!!!! i think i may avoid the pouch and just get a tent! do you use an empty tent or do you put any thing init (apart form your self)

[Emma9383]

I just put myself in it and some treats, this way they have to play with me to be entertained coz there's nowt else to do, lol. Now they're good with me in the tent I might get a long feather tickler thing (for cats) and play with them with that.
I started off with treats inbetween my forefinger and thumb and they'd come take it off me, not I put it in palm of my hand and one actually sits in my hand while she eats it, and I can stroke her with my thumb!

[Usha77]

I have a bunch of toys that I hang in the tent and also have on the floor - they love to jump from me to the toys and vice versa.  When first starting the bonding process, I would probably recommend very few toys in there, but as you get more bonded, the extra toys just add to the experience and it is a wonderful feeling when they are playing with a wonderful toy that they love and then they spot you and jump to you and start playing on you.  It makes me feel very well loved, I'll tell you that! 

Here's a pic of my tent in one of it's setups...I like to change it up a bit sometimes. 
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f38/Usha77/GliderStuff/DSC06850.jpg

[zac-tilly-moss]

im investing in a new tent to do this, the one i have is too big to be getting out all the time, by the way i love the mini furniture, when i saw it i had visions of your suggies sitting on the chairs lol

Jayne xx

[sazzle]

One of the best ways to increase the bonding rate and is a proven method by many top breeders from around the world, is to apply a small amount of pressure around your bonding pouch whenever you make any larger movements such as sitting down or standing up. They rely on you to protect them so this little trick just gives them that little bit extra re-assurance that your looking after them.

[Marie]

The 'crush' method is a well known technique to provide reassurance in most animals.  The gentle pressure makes them feel secure.  

[helen88uk]

Emma ya post made me laugh

I always used to just take their sleeping pouch out of the cage (i've made a 'handle' on it so that I can wear it) and used that as a bonding pouch. Went really well. I recently bought my first proper bonding pouch. WOW. Mine aren't great at being picked up. They squirm A LOT! It took me forever to bundle one of them into the bonding pouch. Then picked up the other. Trying to bundle another wriggly glider into a bonding pouch whilst making sure the one already inside stayed inside was ridiculous. I didn't manage to get them both. So I started putting the bonding pouch in the cage and they began sleeping in that. Looked funny as it's smaller than their sleeping pouch but they still tried to stuff all of their leaves inside!

They don't crab at me tho, stil never bitten and they sit on my hand to eat when i put my hand inside the cage. Just more tent time I guess til they get tamer x

[hday]

ok presuming if they are older and havent been handled lots...maybe go through some of the bonding subjects.
do the crab when they hear you? or are they ok with your voice
will they take food from you?

personally I would say pouch in their cage is much kinder then the whole lot can be scooped up onto you
I wouldnt fancy an unknown hand taking me out of bed and shoving me into an unknown sleeping bag! LOL
and then take it slowly!
and give the occasional treat so smell of you is associated with good things like food!

It may even be for a few weeks you are better just letting them smell you and take treats from you in the cage then introduce the idea of lifting them out!

a lot of suggies wont be up til after 5 anyway...
I am not usually home before 8! and it still works!
its the time and quality that count!
even spending time by cage when they are up and about is good getting them used to your voice, movements letting them check you out...lil used to love watching me ont he laptop fromt he side of the cage and then would disappear when she realised I had clocked her - was quite sweet, guess these humans are an odd creature to watch!