I have a 2 and a half or so month old sugar glider and we were bonding slowly but surely but she kept biting me regardless of how much she acted liking towards me. I tried the thumb in the mouth technique from ASGV.org or whatever and now i feel like i've almost ruined her. she runs away from me when i try to get her out of her cage, snaps at me ferociously when i try to get her out of her pouch, and bites my hands whenever she gets the chance. I dont have a clue what to do and i feel like i'm back at step one of the bonding process but shes meaner than when i got her(so actually i feel like im back at before step one); and feel like i've ruined all of my past efforts of bonding with her. I'm sure she's familiar with my smell but I don't doubt she hates it as well. Someone please help me. that stupid veterinarian "how to discipline your sugar glider" video has royally screwed me.

I'm so sorry. That "video" and all the others produced by them is garbage.

Yes, you will probably have to start at step one with her but don't give up. Right now, she doesn't trust you. You hurt her. It will take time for her to learn you won't hurt her again but if you are patient, you can get to that point.

Give her some time to calm down and then start offering her some yogurt on a straw. As she gets where she is coming up to the straw, shorten it. Continue until she is by your hand and then try some on your finger for her.

For now, unless it is an emergency situation, DO NOT GRAB at her at all. Don't try to pick her up. Don't chase her in any way right now. Let her come to you. And when she does, hold still and let her check you out. You MUST take things at her pace.

She doesn't hate you, she's just scared. You are HUGE compared to her and she needs to learn you won't hurt her.

And forget EVERYTHING you "learned" on those videos or on any other Perfect Pocket Pets websites.

Man I hate those youtube videos...
People trust that guy because he is a "vet" and is someone you SHOULD be able to trust. I find that video to be like if it was a pediatrician saying " Does your baby cry at night? Just smother it with a pillow until it stops." UGH!!!

Your glider does not hate you. You just scared the heck out of it at the moment. Dancings advice is good. Go slow and you will be able to gain trust again.
Have patience, I promise the biting will stop one day

OMG i almost did that too! but i posted something on here about it and ppl were very quick to respond and tell me NO! maybe just give her a few days, put some of your clothes over her cage to smell it up, then try again.... but be patient and persistent! these little buggers are sometimes very "unforgiving", but once you earn her trust, it will all be worth it i promise! keep up the good work, and use LOTS of licky treats!!!! *bribe* the love outta her! lol

When my gliders bite I would tell them "PSST" and with consistency they greatly improved. "PSST" is an unhappy sound for gliders so it's something they understand better than being physical with them. A sugar glider would probably take that as being attacked and try to defend their self, which you are experiencing now.

Sorry you were given bad advice so that now you and your glider are suffering from it. Consistently being gentle and interacting with her will help her understand you really don't mean to harm her.

Thanks alot guys im trying as best as I can. Nilla is warming up to me slowly again I think...she'll lick yogurt off my finger but then bites it really hard when there's a little left out of nowhere. I'm trying to bribe her but i don't want to bribe her too much to where she is unhealthy or gets fat. What are some good examples of treats to bribe her with that have worked in the past for you?

Try mealworms. Ever since we got our mealworms, our boys have started to get more inquisitive and have been coming to us better. They are now at the point of coming out on their rope toys to get their mealworm(s) and will sometimes sit in our hand while eating them. Something that has worked for me with the yogurt on the finger is once you are able to see your finger, move SLOWLY away and dip your finger again. I have been bit a couple of times but I take it as "hey, you are out of yogurt...more please!!". This morning, they even barked for the first time while we were getting ready for work.

She really likes mealworms and crickets too. but shes still really hesitant...would using gloves to handle her until she learns to trust me work or does she need to get used to my bare hands only?

She really needs to get used to your bare hands and the scent of your hands... dont give up, it took one of my gliders 4-6 months to bond with me while her twin sister bonded in a month.

alright thanks alot!

I am having the same problem with one about the same age but I am constantly feeding him licky treats and he is coming around little by little. Just don't give up. The reward in the end is wonderful!!!!

what are some other good "licky" treats to use? because shes still biting me and pretty nervous and jumpy around me but she will lick yogurt off my finger then run away

You could use try some baby food

sounds good. thanks.

Applesauce, avocado, honey. My kids love avocado. It is fattening, though. I end up eating the rest of it.

How long have you had your little one? If you have had her less than 6 weeks to 3 months, I'd say you were rushing things. She might not be ready to "bond" with the big-scarey-monster (BSM!)yet. Back up and start over!!

Oh, and never do that video maneuver on her ever again!!! That's now only cruel, it is ignorant!!!