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Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
#1030742
11/15/10 04:05 AM
11/15/10 04:05 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,748 New Jersey
JillMarie
OP
Serious Glideritis
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OP
Serious Glideritis
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,748
New Jersey
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I like this fact or fiction topic area. interesting reading! Here I would like to hear about everyone's thoughts on leashes. Better yet, some experiences on leashes, if any. I am playing devil's advocate here, so please be nice, and teach everyone through reasonable thinking and gentle debate. ok, here goes... Are they really dangerous? what if a baby was taught from a young age to wear one? What is worse a "possible" injury, or a glider lost in the streets because it jumped off you? Have you ever seen or heard of a real injury from a leash? what type of leash was used? was the glider properly conditioned to wearing it?
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1030772
11/15/10 06:19 AM
11/15/10 06:19 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 246 Upstate NY (Adirondack region)
ShazMom
Glider Explorer
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Glider Explorer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 246
Upstate NY (Adirondack region)
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Hello! Good one! I am not experienced with the leash thing, but I was told by my glier vet ABSOLUTELY NOT to use a leash. She stated that the figure of 8 leash that is out there for gliders can cause irrepairable damage to their pataguim. If they pull away fast and spred their membrane she told me it could easily tear and injure and maim them. But, that is not an experience I want to even try! POUCH it is! Good topic, JillMarie!
Colleen (ShazMom) Buddy
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1030775
11/15/10 07:55 AM
11/15/10 07:55 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 255 Cincy
Thumper
Glider Explorer
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Glider Explorer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 255
Cincy
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I was given leashes with my first 2 gliders. I did use them twice before learning they shouldn't be used. They were the type that goes around their neck. There were no injuries but I also didn't hold on to the leash either since they never even offered to jump off of me. I still have them around here somewhere waiting to find something useful to do with them. I don't know if they really are dangerous or not but I will play it safe and never use them for their intended purpose.
Bobbi Jade, Kea, JimBob, Topaz, Sunny, Bruce, Selena, Harlan, Airyelle, George, Gracie and Pugsley.
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1030823
11/15/10 10:09 AM
11/15/10 10:09 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,454 South Africa
Gizmogirl
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,454
South Africa
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I would think that it can be really dangerous to use a leash on a glider. 1. If you are to use a leash, and your glider jumps, I don't see how he could escape unharmed. 2. If you use a harness type leash, the patagium will be affected. 3. Potential strangulation hazard. 4. I've seen these leashes and the leash is made of unsafe material and a nail can get stuck. 5. Gliders are free roamers, and being restricted like that just does not make any sense at all. It would be harmful to your bonding as well I would say.
Casper & Liezl Gizzy, Boesman, Muchu, Kiamon, Sky & Boog A glider's eyes have the power to speak a great language RIP Sugar 2009 & Kaida 2013
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1030976
11/15/10 05:07 PM
11/15/10 05:07 PM
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742 in my happy place
sugarlope
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742
in my happy place
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Ok, I'll be totally honest here. I want to start off with saying - I do not advocate the use of leashes. I DO know of people that have had glider injuries occur while leashes were on and I have seen pictures of some of them. I can't say how often those gliders had used leashes or what their personalities were. When I got gliders over 9 years ago, I used a harness style leash with 2 of my gliders. I trained them into it (I didn't just put on a leash one day and go). With Kira in particular, I used a leash fairly often, and she would actually sit still to let me put it on and adjust it. Neither ever got hurt wearing a leash (no loss of fur, rope burn, tears, never got tangled, etc.) and it allowed them extra freedoms that I would not have let them experience without a leash. Kira was very active and would run all around and frequently launch her self at (sometimes unexpecting) people that were nearby. I primarily stopped using leashes because Kira got sick, so I stopped letting people see her in those kinds of situations. But I have never trained any of my other gliders to a leash and I have not used them at all since Kira was about 2 1/2 years old (and I no longer have any of the leashes). I know that leashes are not always harmful, but not everyone is me. I also know, from my experience in this community, that many times leashes are very harmful, and when they are, it is very serious, traumatic and painful, if not deadly for the glider. My perspectives on many aspects of glider ownership and handling have changed A LOT since they were first introduced into my life, but that is a conversation for another day.
Last edited by sugarlope; 11/15/10 05:16 PM. Reason: added note about jumping
~Gretchen
If we never loved, then maybe we would never feel pain. Love anyway. It's worth it.
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: Gizmogirl]
#1030983
11/15/10 05:17 PM
11/15/10 05:17 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,119 Palmyra, VA
ChrissysGliderz
Glider Guardian
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Glider Guardian
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,119
Palmyra, VA
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I would think that it can be really dangerous to use a leash on a glider. 1. If you are to use a leash, and your glider jumps, I don't see how he could escape unharmed. 2. If you use a harness type leash, the patagium will be affected. 3. Potential strangulation hazard. 4. I've seen these leashes and the leash is made of unsafe material and a nail can get stuck. 5. Gliders are free roamers, and being restricted like that just does not make any sense at all. It would be harmful to your bonding as well I would say. I have to say that when I got my very first glider I used a leash and she hated it. After about 2 attempts I realized that this could truely be dangerous to their patagium and very uncomfortable. I tossed it in the trash. The best way that I get my gliders to stay with me is through bonding. My leu male is so stuck to me like glue if I put him on my moms should and say "come to mommy romeo lol" her glides straight to me and if he falls he runs to me like a puppy it is so cute.
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1035005
11/25/10 03:56 PM
11/25/10 03:56 PM
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cherylclemons
Unregistered
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cherylclemons
Unregistered
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I putt a leash on my baby one time and will never do it again she got vwry angry and tried gettin it off and she got it stuck in her teeth so I will not ever use one again.
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1035086
11/25/10 10:40 PM
11/25/10 10:40 PM
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lovely1inred
Unregistered
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lovely1inred
Unregistered
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I don't know if gliders could be trained to them or not, and I was not in the glider community when they were commonly used. I know that for myself, I am afraid to put them on my gliders. I do not want to pay exorbitant vet bills for torn patagiums, and I do not want a noose around their neck that will snap it if they hit the end of the line like a dog on a chain. It's not worth it. I have bonded my gliders to me, and I don't take them anywhere that I don't trust them. If they wake up while I am out and they want out of the pouch, we go home or find a safe space. I just do not know of any leash or harness that is safe to use for a glider so I will not do it. If someone new to gliders or thinking of getting gliders asks me, I will not make the decision for them, but I will tell them my choices and why.
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1035102
11/25/10 11:41 PM
11/25/10 11:41 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 20,093 North Central Ohio
GliderNursery
Tech Admn
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Tech Admn
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 20,093
North Central Ohio
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I wouldn't use a leash on a glider - ever. They just aren't the type of animal that a leash should be used on. If it's the type of leash that just goes around their neck, it could potentially cause damage if they jump off of you ~ they can only jump as far as the end of the leash. That could potentially cause a neck injury, or worst case death by a broken neck. If it's the harness type, that would be safer as far as the neck is concerned. But now you have increased the risk of patagium injuries. When I take my gliders out, they are in a zippered bonding pouch. If they get a bit to rambunctious in there, I have travel cages with me that they have a bit more freedom in. Both methods are safe with minimal to no risk of injury! (I say minimal because some gliders can/do chew out of pouches, although mine don't.) So, IMO, YES ~ leashes are dangerous!
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1035130
11/26/10 02:25 AM
11/26/10 02:25 AM
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Megs
Unregistered
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Megs
Unregistered
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I love the thought in on sense, but even before I did my massive research I figured (my common sense told me anyway) that it was a bad idea for the reasons above (strangulation, unsafe fabric, patagium damage, etc). Then I did my research on leashes themselves and was glad that I followed my gut instinct and that I had actually learned SOMETHING in what very little research I had done at that point in time.
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1035152
11/26/10 04:00 AM
11/26/10 04:00 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,748 New Jersey
JillMarie
OP
Serious Glideritis
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OP
Serious Glideritis
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,748
New Jersey
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thanks for all the comments so far. and I want to reiterate that I am not specifically approving or disproving the safety of leashes. just that there may be many perspectives to any subject and I thought many opinions showing both sides was a good topic for this particular forum (fact or fiction)
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1035168
11/26/10 11:16 AM
11/26/10 11:16 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 917 Missouri
Mastiff_Mama
Glider Guardian
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Glider Guardian
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 917
Missouri
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I just recently saw an ad somewhere for a glider leash. I do not know where I noticed it, but it made me cringe. It was the kind that fit like a ferret leash around their bellys and shoulders.
My first thought was of a glider wearing one and then jumping. If the owner did not let go, I could only imagine their bones breaking if the force was right. YIKES!
After that thought, I clicked off the ad and had to stop thinking about it.
-Amber Nicole Mama to 2 Mastiffs... Sonja & Angel and A Slave To Many... A loving wife to Chris ***Sprinkled With Sugar Paradise*** http://swsp.weebly.com
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1035390
11/27/10 02:27 AM
11/27/10 02:27 AM
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MikeandSyd
Unregistered
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MikeandSyd
Unregistered
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So in the short time I have been researching gliders I have heard both sides on the good and bad of leashes. In my opinion in an animal as small as a glider a leash is not safe at all. They are very limber lil critters but their necks are not strong enough to handle being on a leash.
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1037177
12/06/10 05:53 PM
12/06/10 05:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,748 New Jersey
JillMarie
OP
Serious Glideritis
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OP
Serious Glideritis
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,748
New Jersey
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I emailed a friend of mine, who contacted a respected glider vet. This is the response I got: (copied and pasted from the email) "Like to know what Dr.Tristan had to say about leashes... Leashes, I have never seen a problem with leashes, but I am sure if a glider tries had enough they COULD do some damage. That said it is highly unlikely. As for breaking their necks---never heard of one doing it and again, I think it would be an oddity. Their necks are so short, they would be hard to break them...medically speaking. The patagium - depends on how the leash is made, but I think that would be more of a problem from constricting the patagium....hard to put a harness on them without putting strain on the patagium There you go Tim So if you would like to use this from a * veterinarians prospective* feel free." just wanted to share this.
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1037237
12/06/10 09:10 PM
12/06/10 09:10 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 560 United States
Temulin
Glider Lover
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Glider Lover
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 560
United States
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I know I read somewhere about leashes when I first got Fev and my immediate concern was "won't it hurt their 'wings?'" Seems like these guys instinctively fly and I'd think the leash being in the way of their wing flap could cause damage, not to mention a nasty fall if they tried to jump and couldn't glider. I've seen Fev do some real daredevil glides that just make me cringe and hope he knows what he's doing - I would not wanna see that happen with a leash.
"If we sliced today's tomatoes yesterday, they'd be yesterday's tomatoes." Lord Feverstone
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1037321
12/07/10 01:50 AM
12/07/10 01:50 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,763 Connecticut
Kitkatt1216
Glider Slave
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Glider Slave
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,763
Connecticut
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Personally, I don't like the idea of using leashes. And I feel with a truely bonded glider, you wouldn't need one. I can have most of my gliders out pretty much anywhere and they never try to escape. They seem to know their room is the "safe" place to jump off, but will stay on my shoulder or in my pocket anywhere else.
Katrina Owned by Murphy and Peanut
**RIP My loves Amunet, MiaKoda, and Kieko**
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Re: Are Sugar Glider Leashes Dangerous?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1037515
12/07/10 04:00 PM
12/07/10 04:00 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 20,093 North Central Ohio
GliderNursery
Tech Admn
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Tech Admn
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 20,093
North Central Ohio
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At first... when using a tether... the glider may try to leap off of your body only finding himself at the end of the rope so to speak of which the owner must quickly retrieve him/her and put the glider back on their body. After a couple of times of doing so... the glider figures out that jumping off is not the best plan of action. I wouldn't like to try to go somewhere and be jerked to a sudden stop either. Smart babies, good thing they learn quick. I have never seen a problem with leashes, but I am sure if a glider tries had enough they COULD do some damage. That said it is highly unlikely. There are several things that are "highly unlikely", yet we've seen happen to sugar gliders. IMO, it's just not worth the "unlikely" risk of accident/injury. Take the time to bond with your gliders, and I think you'll find that a leash is not necessary. bonding pouches or the t-shirts/sweatshirts with built in pouches are a much nicer way to go with your gliders. And - they are much more comfortable that way!
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