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Tips for Tent Time #1124081
06/05/11 12:50 AM
06/05/11 12:50 AM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
Vicky Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Vicky  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
My babies are sweet during the day. I have them on a schedule. Every morning I take their pouch out (they sometimes crab a little at this point until they see my face and hear my voice) and I feed them 2 or 3 mealies each and then either they go in my bra or into the bonding pouch for most of the day. They are the sweetest bra babies ever.

However the minute tent time comes around they turn into strangers toward me! They sometimes crawl on my arm and up to my shoulder but they usually hide under the fleece blanket I lay out on the floor of the tent or they jerk around or run away if I make the slightest movement. It just seems so strange since they love being in my bra but then at night it's like they are scared of me.

I'm getting so discouraged frown What should I do during tent time to not make them scared and make them feel more comfortable. I don't know what to do cry


~Vicky~
:grey: Marty & :grey: Dobby
~ GLIDERS GALORE ~
Re: Tips for Tent Time [Re: Vicky] #1124120
06/05/11 02:51 AM
06/05/11 02:51 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,748
New Jersey
JillMarie Offline
Serious Glideritis
JillMarie  Offline
Serious Glideritis

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,748
New Jersey
This may sound crazy, but is the tent material noisy?

I notice that sometimes my Arwen has these moods where she is more skittish than other times. Sometimes she will jump if I just move a tiny bit or make a tiny noise, and other times I can move all over the place and she couldnt care. Its funny because I have learned to recognize her skittish moods just by the look on her face.

I wouldnt give up on tent time. Maybe they are just in a hunting/hunted mood. I would continue tent time, and just offer them treats. I wouldnt sit 100% still either though. they do need to get used to you moving around. Funny thing with animals that can be "prey" they are startled if you move sudden and quick (like a predator) but moving slowly and staring at them makes them nervous (cause thats what a predator does too). So move fluidly and at an easy pace. Did that make sense?


:grey: Bosom Buddy Creations:grey:
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Remember that God Loves You!
Re: Tips for Tent Time [Re: Vicky] #1124147
06/05/11 08:44 AM
06/05/11 08:44 AM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
Vicky Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Vicky  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
Okay yes that makes sense. I didn't realize that moving slowly and staring is also like a predator but your right it totally is!

It's weird also because when they go back in their cage after tent time it's like I had scared them even though they play with their toys and run around in the tent, when they go right back in their cage they go into their cage pouch for a while like if they're hiding. It makes me feel so bad. frown


~Vicky~
:grey: Marty & :grey: Dobby
~ GLIDERS GALORE ~
Re: Tips for Tent Time [Re: Vicky] #1124291
06/05/11 02:46 PM
06/05/11 02:46 PM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742
in my happy place
S
sugarlope Offline
Glideritis Anonymous
sugarlope  Offline
Glideritis Anonymous
S

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742
in my happy place
How big is your tent? We all think they want bigger/more space, but sometimes a lot of space can be overwhelming to them. I know several people that moved from a smaller play area (or cage) to a larger one and the gliders became timid.

Another question - how do you 'catch' them to take them back to the cage? Do you have to chase them, or do they climb onto you or into their pouch easily and quietly so you can take them back with little stress? If you have to chase your gliders to get them, they may think the tent is not a 'safe' area, and are just waiting for the moment when you will chase them around to catch them.

To get them more interested in their play area and to get them back to go to the cage I suggest treats. Don't overdo it during tent time so that they will still want a couple of mealworms (or other favorite treats) in their pouch to lure them in so you can take them back to the cage easily. Hang some foragers, I would start off with fairly easy ones, so the gliders can quickly find treats and it gets them moving around and comfortable with their play area. Also, if your play area is really big, think about downsizing for a while. You can even sit next to their cage and open the door and put your hands in with them for a while. Squish was too scared of the tent at first, so I opened their cage and let him and Maia just come out and go back as they wanted to. No pressure, low stress (and treats). grin You have to find their pace and work with what they are comfortable with. Good luck. smile


~Gretchen

If we never loved, then maybe we would never feel pain. Love anyway. It's worth it.
Re: Tips for Tent Time [Re: Vicky] #1124294
06/05/11 02:50 PM
06/05/11 02:50 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 423
Florida
T
Teresa56 Offline
Glider Lover
Teresa56  Offline
Glider Lover
T

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 423
Florida
If you want them to play then you should do tent time about a hour or two before they normally get up for the nite. Mine never want to play in the tent during the day-- that is there sleep time.


Mom to JayP
Owned by 2 :kitty:

Slave to 2 colonies
Colony #1= Trio
Skeeter :grey: and MissHarmony :wfb: and Miss Sanora :wfb:

Colony # 2 pair
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Re: Tips for Tent Time [Re: Vicky] #1124304
06/05/11 03:19 PM
06/05/11 03:19 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
Vicky Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Vicky  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
I always do tent time right when I know they are going to wake up at 11.

My tent is the two person sansbug, I don't think it is very big at all. Usually one will go into the pouch and when he does I scoop up the other one and hold him to chest and take them both to the cage. I usually bring their HPW/veggie/fruit mix into the tent and offer it to them as a treat from my hand because I don't want to fill them up with treats because then they won't eat their healthy food.

I don't know why they go under the fleece I lay out in the tent, they like to groom each other under there and when they do come out they're only on me for a few seconds. Is this normal? They like to jump on and off my feet but I feel like they mostly like to hang out under the fleece blanket and I just sit there waiting until they come out.


~Vicky~
:grey: Marty & :grey: Dobby
~ GLIDERS GALORE ~
Re: Tips for Tent Time [Re: Vicky] #1124315
06/05/11 03:40 PM
06/05/11 03:40 PM

M
Megs
Unregistered
Megs
Unregistered
M



I'm with Jill Marie and Gretchen.

If the tent it noisy, it could be bothering them. Also, if it's a recent 'upgrade' (read= larger tent) they could be a little timid because of the larger room.

Maybe go back to what you were initially using for playtime (if there has been a recent change) and see if they go back to their normal tent time behaviors.

Re: Tips for Tent Time [Re: Vicky] #1124327
06/05/11 04:03 PM
06/05/11 04:03 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
Vicky Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Vicky  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
I put the fleece on the the bottom of the tent so that it wouldn't make noise and they go under the fleece to where is does make noise and they like to hid out under there.

I haven't had any other tent/play area. I've only had these guys a few weeks. smile


~Vicky~
:grey: Marty & :grey: Dobby
~ GLIDERS GALORE ~
Re: Tips for Tent Time [Re: Vicky] #1124337
06/05/11 04:29 PM
06/05/11 04:29 PM

M
Megs
Unregistered
Megs
Unregistered
M



Aww well that makes sense too. Things are all still so new to them. Do you have lots of toys and such for tent time? Sometimes that helps them break out of their shell and have fun at tent time.

But don't stare either, as was already mentioned. tounge

Re: Tips for Tent Time [Re: Vicky] #1124343
06/05/11 05:06 PM
06/05/11 05:06 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
Vicky Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Vicky  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
LOL yes I put two hanging toys and a bunch of plastic chew toys like straws, milk rings etc which they love.
I'm going to try to not be a statue while also not chasing them. Let's hope that makes them more relaxed and want to play more.


~Vicky~
:grey: Marty & :grey: Dobby
~ GLIDERS GALORE ~
Re: Tips for Tent Time [Re: Vicky] #1124385
06/05/11 07:21 PM
06/05/11 07:21 PM

M
Megs
Unregistered
Megs
Unregistered
M



Get feather teasers and even a laser. OMG My gliders go NUTS for that stuff!!!

Re: Tips for Tent Time [Re: Vicky] #1124394
06/05/11 07:58 PM
06/05/11 07:58 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
Vicky Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Vicky  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
Oh I should! I wanted to get a feather teaser but I was scared about the cat nip frown
I'm gonna try and find one, if not I think I have a laser pointer around here somewhere...


~Vicky~
:grey: Marty & :grey: Dobby
~ GLIDERS GALORE ~
Re: Tips for Tent Time [Re: Vicky] #1124396
06/05/11 08:00 PM
06/05/11 08:00 PM

M
Megs
Unregistered
Megs
Unregistered
M



You should be able to find a feather teaser without catnip.

Re: Tips for Tent Time [Re: Vicky] #1124398
06/05/11 08:01 PM
06/05/11 08:01 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
Vicky Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Vicky  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 771
Miami, FL
Okay good to hear!

Last edited by Vicky; 06/05/11 08:01 PM.

~Vicky~
:grey: Marty & :grey: Dobby
~ GLIDERS GALORE ~

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