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Using gloves with pitbull biters #36966
02/14/05 03:59 PM
02/14/05 03:59 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 10,569
IL (St. Louis area)
StitchsMom Offline OP
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Alright guys, I need your opinion on something. One of the fur-kids that I just rescued is a pitbull biter according to the previous owner. Now, I have heard all sorts of negative things about using gloves to handle a serious biter. I know it hinders scent bonding, but I'm really scared for my fingers! I try to tell myself that she can't possibly do that much damage, but I'm still hesitant!

I would feel much more comfortable around her if I could wear some gloves for a few weeks until she gets used to me. Is this a bad idea? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" /> I got her and her mate out the other night and had no problems...but I was hiding my hands most of the time. She seems awfully sweet for a "pitbull biter".

Her owner told me that she would randomly just bite on and not let go. I was told that it can happen anytime for any reason.

Long story short, can I use gloves until I feel a bit more comfortable with her or should I just bite the bullet and take the bite if she decides to latch on?

Thanks in advance for your help, guys!


~*~Jenny and the fur kids~*~
>>> Sugar Glider Slave <<<
Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36967
02/14/05 04:13 PM
02/14/05 04:13 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 16,800
St. Johns, Florida
Srlb Offline
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St. Johns, Florida
Well trust me, I know where you are coming from, and yes they do bite on without any warning what so ever and they do NOT want to let go. This could be caused by several reasons and not even happen all the time, (I am speaking from my own personal experience with the bite issue), only when he smells any other gliders on me other than himself or his mate.
The one you need to get in contact with would be Bourbon as she knows the true definition of a *pit bull biter* and their behavior.
I would not call mine a pit bull biter I would more just call him an alpha who does not believe in letting go and wants to make sure his domain stays his and nobody elses. If and when there are no other gliders or their smells around he is one of the biggest lover boys I have and I treasure him.

As for the gloves, I think I would want to do the same thing as you do. Maybe use the gloves but make sure your scent is constantly in the cage with her? Perhaps sleep with the gloves?? lol...
Yep, I think you should contact Bourbon as I dont think I have been much help! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ohwell.gif" alt="" />

Good Luck and keep us posted.


Peggy
Critter Love
Critter Love� Diet Center

If you want to know what a person is like, watch how he treats others.

You'll never know what the outcome is if you don't step up and try.

Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36968
02/14/05 04:40 PM
02/14/05 04:40 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,749
80 acres of paradise in KS
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I have been fortunate enough to never have one bite on and not let go. I too fear that! I think if you haven't had problems yet, you might just have to give her a chance, just be prepared. Like Peggy said, make the gloves smell like you. I think this whole trust issue is a two way street. While we want them to trust us so they bond, we also have to learn their personalities so we can trust them. Peggy figured out what triggers her's to bite so she knows how to avoid it.
I would probably try the gloves until I learned more of their true personality. It could be the previous owner used a soap or lotion that the glider hated.


620-704-9109
Judge not until you have walked in their shoes and lived their lives. What you see online is only part of the story.

I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance


The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36969
02/14/05 04:49 PM
02/14/05 04:49 PM

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It shouldn't hinder scent bonding if you wear the gloves or sleep with them so that the gloves have your scent on them. Wear them or sleep with them inside out so that your scent gets on the side that you will be handling them with and then turn them right side out when you want to handle them atleast until you are more confident.

Chanda
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" /> Otis, Sadie, Fancy, Little Girl
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Sabastien, Jerry - hamsters
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" /> Meeko - Weimaraner

Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: SugarPaws] #36970
02/14/05 05:21 PM
02/14/05 05:21 PM

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*EEK*!! Boy oh boy do I know biters!! My first Glider girl, was a horrible biter....so bad that she drew blood every time! So, her being my first Glider (and the breeder not telling me enough about them), I got a pair of the dark-brown gardening gloves, thinking "This will stop that..."
WRONG! She would bite so hard that her teeth went right thru the glove! So, I got a second pair and that was the only way to keep from bleeding to death! LOL

But a strange thing happened. I had to leave her with my Parents for 2 weeks while I was out of town, and when I came back, I checked on her and put my hand in her sleeping box (didin't know about pouches way back then) and all she did was baaaaarely lay her teeth on my finger, with NO pressure at all!!! From then on, if I was handleing her and did something she didn't like, then she'd do the same and just lay her teeth on me a milisecond with no pressure, and then take her teeth off! I guess she must have missed me so much, she hadn't realized how much she loved me & that I had never & wasn't going to hurt her! She's gone now *sigh*, but I got a rescue a little over a year ago (adding to 2 more that I already had), and when she knows i'm getting ready to put her back in her cage, she somehow "senses" it, and runs from me and the chase is on!! If I ever get ahold of her, she bears down on my finger like a bulldog & crabs like a banshee, and so I try to get to her cage as soon as possible to put her in! She has no problem of climbing on me, etc, without biting.....just when she knows i've decided it's time for her to go back to her cage!

Uhhh....I sometimes tend to ramble, sorry! LOL

I agree with asking Bourbon and until then, the others ideas of the gloves especially worn inside out to get your scent on them, sounds like you best bet. I also have bonded with new Gliders by having any new Gliders in their cage as I get my bonded one out and play with, pet, feed by hand, etc, etc, where the new one can watch and learn that this "giant" isn't going to harm them! They do tend to imitate from watching others Gliders! (sometimes...lol)

Good Luck! Hope you find an answer that gets the 2 of you bonded!! *SMILE*

Don, Gliders Artful Dodger, Grace, and Starla (the biting banshee...lol)

Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36971
02/14/05 05:26 PM
02/14/05 05:26 PM

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What type of gloves should be used? They should be thin enough to hold/feel the glider, but thick enough to not feel the bite. What do you all suggest?

Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36972
02/14/05 06:29 PM
02/14/05 06:29 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
Charlie H Offline
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Wallis Texas
I don't care what anyone says. I use light weight leather gloves to handle rescue gliders that are new to us. It does not make any sense to me to take the bites and run the risk of infection. If you don't want to use the gloves you can pick them up from the back side with a fleece snuggle blanket and put your thumb under the chin to keep them from biteing you. But this is hard to do when you are trying to catch a loose glider.

Telling me to not use gloves when handling biteing gliders makes about as much sense as saying, "Walk barefooted on the hot pavement. It will cool off after a while!"

Charlie H


Rescue & Rehabilation
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/glidertree/
[]glidertree@toast.net[/]
Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36973
02/14/05 06:33 PM
02/14/05 06:33 PM

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LOL @ Charlie! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" /> How true...

Mikey <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />

Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36974
02/14/05 08:42 PM
02/14/05 08:42 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 10,569
IL (St. Louis area)
StitchsMom Offline OP
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Thanks for the great advice guys! My boyfriend went shopping while I was at work (I adore this boy) and bought Valentine's Day gifts for all of the gliders. This pair got a nice new pair of gloves for me to handle them with. How funny is that?

So, I went in the tent (I used the old gloves, because they have been worn by me quite a bit and smell more like me) and got them out. Everything was fine! Not one bite, not even one little crab! She did nibble the edge of the glove, but shoot, that's nothing! That's tasting, you know? So, I took off one glove and pet her...everything was fine. I let her climb on my hand and everything. So, I took off both gloves. She was a doll baby! Her mate is a total sweetie too. I just can't believe she would bite like that! She didn't show ANY signs of aggression nor did she act afraid.

So, I told my bf to return the new gloves in place of a brand new toy for my little guys (I need to name them so bad!!!!) I'm going to keep the old pair of gloves with me just in case I need them, but I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt. I'm going to trust her and hopefully, she will trust me and the biting will not return.

Thanks again you guys!


~*~Jenny and the fur kids~*~
>>> Sugar Glider Slave <<<
Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36975
02/14/05 10:12 PM
02/14/05 10:12 PM

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Well I also know what it feels like to be bit. I named my glider Psycho glider. And he left me with 2 stitches. But that was mainly my fault because I snatched away. At this point You should try and get in touch with Boubon . And you should also take Charlie's advise and use the gloves that he uses. As you will learn Charlie and his wife are the best. And they are always willing to help out.

Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36976
02/15/05 01:34 AM
02/15/05 01:34 AM

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My first thought when I read your first post about this was that I wonder if it will really bite like that, or if it only bit that way because of something about the person that would say that about them. Does that makes sense? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" /> What I mean to say is it seems like someone giving up a glider for rescue might overstate how much they bite, or may not have handled them as they should and got bit because of it.

Hopefully they really aren't that bad after all. Good luck!

Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters-OK By Me!! [Re: ] #36977
02/15/05 03:34 AM
02/15/05 03:34 AM

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[:"blue"] When I first started with gliders, the general consensus was that gloves were not a good idea so I did not use them. My very first glider was a biter name "DOC" because he was always happily taking my blood samples!! Well, I gradually worked up to a collection of a dozen and since most of them were home grown and handled from day 1 OOP biting hasn't been a major problem. I did pick up a couple of "outsiders" who liked to nibble a little and I use gloves with them. Although you could not say my experience is definitive, I didn't experience any downside to using the gloves. My feeling is that those who want to be martyrs and go without gloves are free to do so with my blessing.......me, I'm going to use gloves whenever necessary!! [/]

Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36978
02/15/05 12:40 PM
02/15/05 12:40 PM

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StitchesMom stated: </font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
I'm going to keep the old pair of gloves with me just in case I need them, but I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt. I'm going to trust her and hopefully, she will trust me and the biting will not return.


<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I too had a pitbull biter named Tyler. He was my very first glider and a rescue to boot. For 1 1/2 years all he did was lunge, bite and draw blood. Got to the point I dreaded putting my hand in his cage. And I firmly believe he knew it.Then one day, I decided to put my hand in and let him bite it to his heart's content. It was terrible trying not to yell/pull my hand away but somehow I managed it telling Tyler: "You'll give up before I do". And he did. The very next day when I offered him a treat, Tyler actually crawled onto my hand, sat there & ate the treat. Then he proceeded to crawl around on me and let me pick him up. What a confidence builder that was. And with new confidence in myself and Tyler, our entire relationship changed.

I guess my point is that animals can sense fear from us and that fear makes them afraid that we may hurt them. So they do what any intelligent animal would do: they go on the defensive. Once they realize, however, that we are not afraid but confident when handling them, their fear lessens and their trust increases. So it seems you have made a good start with your little female. Now all you have to do is keep your confidence up, show no fear/tension when handling your little girl and I'll bet your little girl becomes a sweetheart in short order.

Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36979
02/15/05 01:52 PM
02/15/05 01:52 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 10,569
IL (St. Louis area)
StitchsMom Offline OP
Glideritis Anonymous
StitchsMom  Offline OP
Glideritis Anonymous

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 10,569
IL (St. Louis area)
Thanks for all of the advice! It's really encouraging to know I'm not alone here.

I performed an experiment last night during tent time. I used the gloves for the first fifteen minutes so that I could build up some confidence. Then I promised myself that I'd lose the gloves and see what happened. I mean, why be afraid if she hasn't given me any reason to be? So, I took off the gloves and asked myself if their old owner hadn't told me she was a biter, would I have even known? Nope. She played with me and on me and seemed sweet as pie. I did get a face hug, but I'm okay with that.

One important note that I forgot to mention about her: She is missing a leg. Apparently she got tangled in a string from a pouch and overlooked. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tantrum.gif" alt="" /> So, she had to have an emergency amputation. She is all healed over and everything and she certainly doesn't act disabled! But, the previous owner stressed that she gets irritated when touched there and will bite ferociously because of it. I've noticed no irritation or aggitation in that area on her. I try to avoid touching her there for her sake, but I did pick her up last night and touched her missing limb area and she didn't seem to panic or anything. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />

Soooo...I manged to handle her just fine without gloves last night. She actually seems to be really sweet! She does have an alpha personality though. She is always the first one out to explore and as long as I give her a minute to see everything is safe, she loosens up and plays just fine. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" /> Tonight, I'm going to try it again and see what happens. I'm really falling in love with these two. I think all this effort is going to pay off 100 times over! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

Wish me luck and again thank you for all the encouragement!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" />


~*~Jenny and the fur kids~*~
>>> Sugar Glider Slave <<<
Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36980
02/15/05 02:40 PM
02/15/05 02:40 PM

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All's well that ends well!

Before we leave this subject ... is there a consensus on a good type of glove to get for this purpose? I have a biter, and I've looked at gloves in the past but wasn't sure what to get. Gardening gloves seemed too heavy and clumsy, and I didn't know if the leather would get a reaction out of her that I didn't want. What do you folks use?

Thanks!!

Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36981
02/15/05 05:39 PM
02/15/05 05:39 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
Charlie H Offline
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Wallis Texas
I use the light weight unlined leather work gloves. They are almost like driving gloves. But keep in mind the gliders can still bite through them. It just minimizes it.

We take in a lot of gliders that have health issues. Being new to us and ill along with me having to force them to take medications is not a good way of gaining their trust. They get to the point where everytime I come around they think I am going to restrain them and force more medecine down them. Some we can handle with only a fleece blanket or even bare hands. Others are a real war. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Handle three or four of these a day and by the time they are through chewing on your fingers you are ready to wear boxing gloves. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" />
Charlie H


Rescue & Rehabilation
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/glidertree/
[]glidertree@toast.net[/]
Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36982
02/15/05 08:20 PM
02/15/05 08:20 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,749
80 acres of paradise in KS
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80 acres of paradise in KS
poor Charlie! I certainly don't blame you for wearing gloves at all!

I am a wimp. I admit it. I just can't take the bites. I do pull back when (rarely happens) one of mine lunges but I alway put my hand right back where I was going with it in the first place. This teaches that I am not going to stop what I am doing, even if I do hessitate just because they are acting like king kong!

BTW, the only time I have had biting problems is usually from my males if/when females have joeys ip. I understand they are just trying to protect their family.


620-704-9109
Judge not until you have walked in their shoes and lived their lives. What you see online is only part of the story.

I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance


The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36983
02/16/05 03:16 PM
02/16/05 03:16 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 10,569
IL (St. Louis area)
StitchsMom Offline OP
Glideritis Anonymous
StitchsMom  Offline OP
Glideritis Anonymous

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 10,569
IL (St. Louis area)
Oh, Charlie! Ouch! I can't imagine having to worry about more than one biter at a time. She takes up so much of my time. I just really want to show her (and her skittish partner) that people are good things! She responds well to treats and eats like a hog, so that's working to my advantage.

I went to her cage last night to serve dinner and she surprisingly just hopped right onto my arm. That's good, right? She didn't panic or anything. She sat there watching me as I told her what was for supper. :-D She really likes being talked to. Sometimes she talks back! It's so very cool.

Still no bites too! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" /> Her buddy watched closely as she clicked and purred. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

I'm wondering if maybe her previous owner offered her licky treats and she bit then. It would make sense from what I've witnessed of her behavior. Her previous owner told me to never offer any treats by bare hand as she will latch on. I've been giving her grapes and yogies with no incident. I'm afraid to offer her any licky treats because of the owner's warning. Maybe she was just neglected? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" /> The poor dear...


~*~Jenny and the fur kids~*~
>>> Sugar Glider Slave <<<
Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36984
02/17/05 12:44 AM
02/17/05 12:44 AM

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Hmm... Lol, this might sound silly but it brings to mind a question that I had. I have some "finger puppets" made out of fleece that I use to play with my gliders. The adults play fairly nicely with me and no issues. But my youngest male.... Well I don't think he realises that is my finger in the puppet and he gets into the momment and bites down pretty hard. Would it be ok to use a glove to make finger puppets out of. I admit I am a coward. He loves playing with the finger puppets. But I could live without the bites.

Re: Using gloves with pitbull biters [Re: ] #36985
02/17/05 03:12 PM
02/17/05 03:12 PM

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<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />
I get in gliders all the time that are referred to as the Evil one <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />, or meaner than He**. Well, I have not had the experience of wearing gloves, but I had only had 2 really bad biters, one was Gabirel, my hand raised joey, when he went thru puberty and Roo. Most of the time, they do fine. Be confident, I know they pick up on fear. If you start slowely on thier terms then it will go smoother. I won't let the glider know they have gotten to me..its the imtimidation factor they reley on. If I only had a dollar for the times I was given a "mean glider" I would have a little nest egg put away. Often, I think its the treatment they recieved and not the gliders. People will try to make them do what they want them to do..not what is comfortable for the gliders. Just look at how they don't usually like to be held, of course they will bite if you try to hold them like that. Now let her get to know you first, use your scent in her cage and let her have playtime with rewards for good behavior. It really does work. Good luck with your baby, you just may be surprised. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />
Angie


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