18 months! NEVER give up!

When I first got BamBam, he HATED me with a passion! Just coming into the room, would set him off, crabbing and doing the hissy fit dance on the cage, reaching out to grab me. When I put my hand in to feed him and Pebbles, they ALWAYS bit me, drawing blood.

I took the bites and gently removed my hand, talking quietly and calmly to them. One day, not only did BamBam NOT bite but he climbed onto my hand and sat there eating a yoggie, letting me pet him! It took 15 months to reach that point. Now, when I come into the room, he still climbs onto the cage, reaching out for me, but it's because he wants to be held and to climb all over me. He even lets me pick him up and give him kisses!

Today, for the very first time in 18 months, his cage mate, Pebbles, did NOT run up to bite me when I put my hand in the cage!!! She just stared at me, without moving! Then......she slowly climbed into my hand and sat there, eating a yoggie, letting me gently pet her back, just as BamBam did three months ago! I was so happy, tears ran down my face as I stood there and smiled! For the first time EVER, I have not pulled back a bloody finger from their cage! And they have 1 month old joeys!!!

I have complete faith, that by the time another six months passes, Pebbles will be as friendly as BamBam!

NEVER give up when it comes to bonding! It may take weeks, months or even years, but when it finally happens, the rewards are so worth the wait and bites! It's such an AWESOME feeling!

that is so great, congrats

That is truly awesome! congrats to you and all that hard work and patience! NEVER give up there is always hope even with the most difficult things!

Isn't it great!!! Keep up the great job!

Wow, that is great! Congratulations!

That is awesome!!! It's so true!!! I have one that has come a long way in the almost 18 months I have had her - she'll probably never be cuddly and loving like her kids and her hubby, but I will take what I can get from her and be thankful and feel extra blessed for what she gives me!

WAY TO GO! congrats!

Connie congrats...isn't it awesome when the blood stops and the kisses start? <3

It is great to hear. I have two gliders Akasha and Lestat. Akasha is the most docile sugar glider I have ever seen. She will eat right out of my hand. While Lestat, well he is not so tame. He will try to bite me by jumping across their habitat. I am working with him daily and hope that this aggressive behavior will calm down soon. So thanks for giving me hope that he will come around sooner or later!

Connie, I am so very happy for you What a great reminder to all of us that although it may take a very long time, eventually patience, gentleness and consistency will pay off with these little ones. Some of them are just "harder nuts to crack" than others
When I first got my Pepe, he was a "pit bull biter" very similar to what you've described. It took over a year to get him past the grabbing at me every time I approached the cage for any reason. It took another year to be able to pet him without getting bit HARD. It took another year to get him to the point where it didn't take two people to trim his nails (one wearing leather gloves) without fear of getting a chunk taken out of you. All in all, although it took 3 years to get him to completely trust us, it was well worth the wait. Pepe is now one of the sweetest, gentlest gliders you could possibly imagine In fact, just this past Friday my 18 month old grandson reached his hand into Pepe's pouch to pet him without even getting nipped I've now had Pepe for almost exactly six years
So... don't ever give up! They may be hard-core cases like Connie's BamBam & Pebbles and like my Pepe - but with lots of patience and love they WILL come around

Connie, I remember when you first brought them home. I am SO HAPPY for all of you! I know you have given them all the love and care they needed and more, and it is that love and care that helped them learn to trust. God bless you for never giving up on them! It is a great reminder to everyone to not give up. I know it works, all I have to do is look at my Petey.....Congrats!