I've had the same exact experience. I couldn't even get them into a
bonding pouch to carry them around with me without getting all bit up. But it's true...it's takes time. It's been 3 and a half LONG months and they have made soooo much progress. What I did was I got a chair and sat in front of the cage at night with yoggies in my hand and just sat there and sat there. I put my hand in the cage and kept very still. It took a long time but eventually they would get curious and come to my hand and take the yoggies. Then I moved the yoggies further up my hand so they had to step onto my fingers to reach the yoggies. Then further and further until they had to stand on my hand to get the yoggie (or mealie). This literally took a month. My shoulders ached from doing this every night. After about a month, one of them started to jump right on my hand as soon as I put it in the cage because he knew I was not putting it in there to hurt him and that he was going to get treats. Then I worked on SLOWLY moving my arm out of the cage. It took another month for him not to jump off. Then the female started to jump on my arm. Now they will both readily get on my hand and they WANT me to take them out. This is after TWO MONTHS of sitting by the cage, talking very quietly and singing and giving treats and being very still.
The next phase started two weeks after I went to a glider social meeting called SSS which you absolutely have to come to next year (watch this board for announcements) held by moderator Sari. Anyway I met the most fantabulous people with the greatest advice. I had just ordered the Genji tent and I've had it 4 days. These people helped me with the
bonding pouch problems I was having, which you're not having, so good...keep carrying them around. You absolutely have to have this tent. My gliders and I have made leaps and bounds since Monday with this tent! So you go in the tent with the pouch, let them crawl out on their own and explore. Have lots of
toys and treats and let them go at their pace. Mine went crazy having fun but remember they already knew me very well. In a matter of days I am able to hold and cuddle the male and the female is letting me pet her much more. For the first time I am actually touching my own gliders, feeling their soft fur, and enjoying them! It's AWESOME! I am so in love with these fuzzbutts, it's not even funny. So I highly recommend you get the tent and sit in there with them - quietly, at their pace, and let them come out and explore you. It's nonthreatening and the whole process of
bonding will go so much faster!
Keep asking questions. The people here on GC are the best! I've learned a lot and my next experience buying gliders will be different because I've learned so much about what to look for in a
breeder and in the purchasing process. Send me a PM and keep me informed on your progress! :-)