Sugar Glider Community Calendar

Please click here to see larger view
Articles
More coming soon!!
Today's Birthdays
B1u3sky, StellaLuna
Member Spotlight
Hutch
Hutch
Belleville, IL
Posts: 1,482
Joined: November 2015
Show All Member Profiles 
Last 10 Posts
Gliders of the Round Table 10
by Feather. 03/27/24 07:04 PM
Logging in Problem
by Feather. 03/26/24 06:07 PM
Cloaca swollen?
by Hutch. 03/16/24 11:51 PM
Wheels, Toys, Toy supplies, pouches and more.
by Ladymagyver. 03/07/24 11:16 PM
Gliders of the Round Table 9
by Hutch. 03/07/24 10:52 PM
Stewie:" It's MY Mouse!"
by Hutch. 03/04/24 12:12 AM
2024 Sugar Glider Calendar and Cafe Press Store
by theresaw. 02/29/24 08:55 PM
Custom Cage Liners Machine Wash & Dry
by gr8pots. 02/27/24 04:23 PM
Google+

Facebook
Join Us On Facebook
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
My male Suggie is starting to bite me? #1194457
11/21/11 09:00 AM
11/21/11 09:00 AM

J
Jamielol
Unregistered
Jamielol
Unregistered
J



I have two sugar gliders, one neutered male and a female. The female is the sweetest doll and is already bonded, the male is very skiddish and doesn't seem to want anything to do with me. I got them from another home October 14th, I believe they had them for about a year?

To begin with the male was alright, never bit and let me hold him no problem. It seems the more I try and bond with him, the more he hates me, LOL. Some days he's sweet and crawls right into my hand, but within the past week he runs from me in the cage (my movements are slow and I talk to him and repeat his name while I go to pick him up). When he doesn't run from me and actually let's me pet him, he cocks his head and tries to nip or bite. Sometimes the bites don't hurt at all and are very soft, some are kinda hard, then sometimes the bites are vehement and as hard as he can muster. I've only seen him raise up once, but he didn't raise up like a bear, he lifted his front paws up about half an inch and stared at me.

The only time he NEVER bites me is when he is outside his cage. When he's out he'll even let me kiss him and rub under his chin, and peep when I rub his chest, but it's impossible to get him out because he bites and runs. I've tried giving him his favorite veggie, then picking him up while he's distracted but he still runs with it in his mouth, haha. What do I do? frown I love him so much, he is the cutest thing. I won't let a few bites and spooks make me hate him, though. I want to win him over.

I have one question: When he runs and bites, do I continue to try and hold him? Or will that stress him? Or do I just let him be for the night?

What do I do? frown

Re: My male Suggie is starting to bite me? [Re: ] #1194458
11/21/11 09:08 AM
11/21/11 09:08 AM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 365
Highland NY
midnight Offline
Glider Lover
midnight  Offline
Glider Lover

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 365
Highland NY
do you re-arrange and take out their pouches/toys? It seems like he is cage protective like this is his terrortory. Also, is he biting to worn you or is a nibble? Doesnt sound like a nibble here but just want to cover all angles...


Home of the Suggie Ninjas: Rayne :grey: Luka :grey: Binx :wfb: and Kaylie :grey:
Re: My male Suggie is starting to bite me? [Re: ] #1194461
11/21/11 09:39 AM
11/21/11 09:39 AM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 28,219
Washington D.C. Metro Area
DCMuffin Offline
Glideritis Anonymous
DCMuffin  Offline
Glideritis Anonymous

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 28,219
Washington D.C. Metro Area
Your little guy is nervous and unsure yet. He's not protecting his cage, he's saying that he still isn't quite positive whether or not he can trust you. Raising his hand is his indication that enough is enough and he's letting you know his next move is going to be to lunge.

When you go into the cage, don't go immediately to him with your hand. Instead, wait for him to come to you. Allow him to sniff you, to come and take a treat. He can learn to trust you if he's allowed the time to do it HIS way.


Originally Posted By: Jamielol
I have one question: When he runs and bites, do I continue to try and hold him? Or will that stress him? Or do I just let him be for the night?

No, you don't want to continue to push the limits and try to hold him. In fact, you never want to push that. Never, ever chase him around the cage. Rather, you want him to WANT to come to you. Patience is important with gliders and his behavior tells me that while he's beginning to trust a little bit, he's not there yet. When you get those opportunities to rub his chest or under his chin, do so - but ONLY that. Don't then try to grab him because the trust you just earned will go away and he'll learn that what you're doing is only luring him to you, only to scare him. Give him his time, he needs it and he hasn't been with you very long. Go slowly, offering treats and that's it. Baby steps - it's the name of the game.

Here is an article for you to read that might give you a better understanding of what he's thinking and feeling. It's from a very different perspective and I hope, will give you something to think about:

Building A Relationship With Your Glider

Re: My male Suggie is starting to bite me? [Re: ] #1194505
11/21/11 11:43 AM
11/21/11 11:43 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 13,748
Vincennes, IN, USA
suggiemom1980 Offline
Glideritis Anonymous
suggiemom1980  Offline
Glideritis Anonymous

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 13,748
Vincennes, IN, USA
I know it seems like you've had them for a long time, but five weeks isn't very long at all in a gliders eyes. As Aimee said, let him come to you. Have their cage by your bed so they can watch you sleep at night. He was comfortable with you at first until you did something (who knows what? dunno) that scared him. Start from scratch and build his trust in your again. Food is a great motivator. Their tummies can overcome a lot of fear! The best thing you can do is understand his fear, respect it and notice the signs of his fear. Raising a leg or two, slowly walking towards you and opening his mouth, ears laid back, the look on his face, are just a few signs to tell you he's going to bite. When you see those, move your hand. You want him to feel safe by letting him know his defenses (crabbing, lunging, biting) work. Never take the bite. That will break their spirit. You may force the glider to submit to you, but it'll never fully trust and bond with you.

I'd like to take a minute and talk to everyone about the proper way to 'pick up' a glider.

Never, ever pick up a glider from above. Their instinct takes over and they think a predator has them and they hold on for dear life to whatever they can, to avoid being taken by the predator. Even my most bonded gliders, will hang on if I try to lift them from above.

Always slide your hand under the glider, so they can freely walk onto your hand or, scoop them up with your hand under them. This takes them out of the fight or flight mode, they feel safe and in control of what happens to them.

I've been able to handle some very terrified rescues this way, without being bitten. At first, I'll slide my hand under them so they walk onto my hand or scoop them up with an open hand, while they're in their cage. Even if they stay on my hand for just a second at first, they feel safe in "their territory" and know they are free to jump off and go hide if they choose. I've yet to be bitten by using this technique. Eventually, they learn to trust me enough to sit longer and longer, until they don't jump off and will sit there eating a treat and letting me pet them, I move to tent time.


Connie

812-890-9734, 24/7 Emergencies/Joey issues

SmallWorldSuggies

"The greater the challenge, the sweeter the reward"

"Glide free :rbridge: Silly "Ozball" Ozzie. You left us 11/21/12..way too soon. You're forever loved, remembered, missed."
Re: My male Suggie is starting to bite me? [Re: ] #1194732
11/21/11 07:21 PM
11/21/11 07:21 PM

J
Jamielol
Unregistered
Jamielol
Unregistered
J



@ midnight

I think it's a warning, because it ranges from a quick lunge to a slow, leaning in, THEN CHOMP, real hard, lol.

@DCMuffin

Normally I do not go straight for him, I'll clean the bottom of the cage, pet his girl. I see him watching me curiously. Then I go to slowly put my flat hand slowly under his chin/chest. He will either run, or he will pause, sniff me, then bite and take off.

"Never, ever chase him around the cage."

I'm so glad you told me this. When he would run I would try again (not aggressively, I'd whisper his name and try and slowly pet him/get him onto my hand). Now I know not to!

@suggiemom1980

The cage is about 6-feet across from my bed, they can see me I'm sure, is that close enough?

"Raising a leg or two, slowly walking towards you and opening his mouth, ears laid back, the look on his face, are just a few signs to tell you he's going to bite."

This also confuses me, because he has his ears perked and has the cutest little face on with bright eyes, then just lunges suddenly! He's a little trickster, haha. He never crabs either, he's always bright and happy, he just doesn't seem to like me very much. I will try to do everyone's suggestions!

"Always slide your hand under the glider,"

I do that, too, and that's when he always bites me. So I withdraw and go back to petting him.


Moderated by  Feather, KarenE, Ladymagyver 

Sugar Glider Help Page



Please click above to see how you can help!!

Moon
CURRENT MOON
Who's Online Now
0 registered members (), 388 guests, and 86 spiders.
Key: , , Owner, Admin
Newest Members
Mellefrl, klowvrrr, gracefulguardian, KiyokoTheDoll, Hazelneko
7324 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums132
Topics10,374
Posts159,160
posts in the last 24hrs0
Members7,324
Most Online2,693
Jan 2nd, 2020
Last 10 New Topics
Logging in Problem
by Anonymous. 03/24/24 11:43 AM
Gliders of the Round Table 10
by Hutch. 03/07/24 10:50 PM
Cloaca swollen?
by Mellefrl. 03/04/24 02:39 PM
2024 Sugar Glider Calendar and Cafe Press Store
by theresaw. 08/15/23 02:37 PM
Stewie:" It's MY Mouse!"
by Ladymagyver. 05/25/21 09:57 AM
Gliders of the Round Table 9
by Hutch. 02/12/19 11:35 PM
Custom Cage Liners Machine Wash & Dry
by gr8pots. 06/03/14 10:25 AM
Popular Topics(Views)
849,555 TEXAS
679,070 OHIO
487,141 OKLAHOMA
432,147 UTAH
321,667 NORTH CAROLINA
Supported Browser
This site was tested and is best viewed in Google Chrome & Mozilla FireFox



Firefox 3

Download your copy today!!!
Home Forums Links Sitemap Vets Breeders Sounds Contact Us Names Rules & Policies

GliderCENTRAL
©1998-2024
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software
(Release build 20180918)
Page Time: 0.024s Queries: 14 (0.010s) Memory: 1.2764 MB (Peak: 1.4217 MB) Zlib enabled. Server Time: 2024-03-28 12:38:33 UTC