I have had Skittles since March of this year and it has been really a slow process in bonding with him. His background and history is unknown, he was about 3-4 months old. He was found in a park and turned in to a vet and I was contacted to rescue him. It was obvious he had been through alot, he has nips on his ears and was completely wild. He was very undernourished and ate feverishly for 3 days - even barking for more food, esp. BML. He drew blood every chance he got and crabbed continually. He was very excited when he found out what a wodent wheel was and runs alot, he had no idea what a pouch was and would sleep on the bottom of the cage under a piece of fleece. At this point he will now jump on me and take a quick ride through the house on my head or shoulder. He finally started sleeping in his pouch last month. He still refuses to let me hold him. It has been hard sharing myself between my other two gliders and Skittles. I have been planning on getting him nuetured and getting a friend for him later this month. My boys will not accept him and currently Skittles stays in my room and the boys have their own room. Does anyone have any advice to speed up or enhance this bonding process with Skittles? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
Re: Taming a wild Glider
[Re: ]
#130295 08/09/0610:52 AM08/09/0610:52 AM
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" /> I think it sounds like you are doing a wonderfull job! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" /> I do think if you can find him a tame friend that would help. Angie
Re: Taming a wild Glider
[Re: ]
#130297 08/09/0611:18 AM08/09/0611:18 AM
He sure is a handsome fellow! I have heard that adding a tame cagemate to the mix can help calm a glider with attitude, but there is no guarantee of that of course. However, gliders to learn from one another. It sounds like your're doing everything right so far. Have you tried tent time or licky treats?
In my experience every time I add a tame loving glider to a not so tame glider... the tame one always tames the other one down. But like said it isn't a guarantee and you will still have to do what you have been doing. Also try the tent bonding if you haven't already, it really does wonders. If you don't know what it is let us know and we will love to help
Yes, I have tried tent time and for the most part he explores the floor and marks the edges because he smells my other boys scent inside. He will jump on my back - (you know that part where it is impossible to reach) LOL... I think all gliders know that spot! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> But he won't play in there with me yet or use my arm as a runway and launching pad. He has learned when he hears the zipper to jump on my back. As for the licky treats that is again not working. He will show a interest but will only get so close and run off. In fact when I give him treats or mealies and he is in the pouch, he crabs as he takes it and crabs through several bites, eating and crabbing at the same time! I really believe he was abused by people, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tantrum.gif" alt="" /> either hit or pinched, because of the obvious fear in him. He has not experienced gentle handling before me, I am sure of that! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> He has just started letting me touch him in his cage but it has to be like in the middle of the night. I think he is just bored, but he wants to wrestle my hand and still bites me hard. I can only take it for a while and then I have to withdraw. He actually tries to remove my nails and that really hurts!
Often these gliders have such horrible baggage that it can take an extremely long time to win their trust. Sometimes a year or more. It can seem like you are getting no where with them then all of a sudden, a light bulb goes on for them and they just love you to no end. It can take time for this to happen though and sometimes it just never does.
It sounds like you have already worked wonders with him and that he really is coming around. More than with any other type of situation, you need to have patience with this little guy. Also, be consistant. Try to do the same things about the same time each day with him so he really learns what to expect. Dinner at the same time, treats at the same time, play time at the same time and in the same location. They all seem to have a very accurate internal clock and KNOW when they are supposed to get their mealies or their dinner etc... If I don't have the treats to my gliders by midnight, they sure let me know.
Getting him neutered should help some by removing the hormonal drive he has right now. Adding a tame companion will most likely help too because they do learn from other gliders. If he sees the other glider getting positive attention and such, he will want it to.
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.
MrsWocket – sounds like you are doing a great job… as noted time and patience are key here… along with what has already been added I would also recommend as much bonding pouch time as you can offer… the constant contact with you should help reassure him that you are there, and safe, and protecting…. You said he has only recently started using a pouch to sleep in, so you may want to hang a bonding pouch in the cage so he can get used to it first, that is if you have not been able to work with him in a bonding pouch… good luck and hang in there!!!
Thanks, as to the comment about keeping a good schedule and that gliders have an internal clock. That is so true, in fact that is why at times I worry about my other boys who have had such a change in their usual patterns. Dodger is my loverboy and very forgiving and happy to see me no matter, but Charger has really snubbed me since changing their schedule! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worried2.gif" alt="" /> ---Back to Skittles--Yes, I have carried him around as much as I can during the day. It was really hard at first because I work from home and have to answer phones and talk with customers and Skittles would be so loud at crabbing. He is especially scared of plastic noises, like a rustling plastic bag, or paper crumpling. Very weird. I do believe he will come around and the fact that he really needs stability has made my decision to keep him even more so. My husband has relented to the fact that not only is Skittles staying but now we are geting another. LOL My husband is awesome! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />
You are doing an awsome job with Skittles. It sounds as tho he is learning to trust and that is the first step. Be patient and consistant with him and let him set the pace. I know with my Sassy it was a long long road for him. He started out fearful and biting and then learned that I wouldn't hurt him and trusted me but he still didn't like me and wouldn't interact with me more than necessary. It was only after he was neutered that his behavior started to change and again it was a slow change. It started with one hop onto me for 10 seconds. Each day the length of time he would spend on me lengthened and the number of times he got on me increased until he was spending the majority of his playtime with me or interacting with me in some way. So it can happen, it just happens more slowly than with gliders who don't have baggage to carry with them and overcome.
The Rescue
By Christine Hamann Written for Meeko & Simon, two lost souls who found a life with me
I'm huddled now within my pouch I shake and quake with fear Every time I hear your voice Whenever you draw near
And when you reach to touch me soft Please try to understand I bite because I have not known A truly loving hand
And so you must forgive me If I do not believe When you softly whisper That I will never leave
For I have been in many homes Heard many people say That they would always love me That I would always stay
And for awhile that would be true They'd get me out to play And then they would forget me And in my cage I'd stay
They wondered then why I was mad Why I would crab and bite Why I had ceased to trust them and only seemed to fight
But my heart it had been broken My trust it had been shorn My soul was crushed, and made me wish That I had not been born
So if I crab please understand It will take time you see For me to learn to trust again For love to come to me
But if the time you give me If patient you will be My heart will mend I promise you And someday will be free
It will be free to love once more Freed from the chains of fear Freed from the chains that bind me now To let someone draw near
So if you wait until I heal If patient you will be Then I'll return whole-heartedly The love you give to me
Chris Illusion, Malcom, Isabell, Annabelle, Zach, Isis, Aly & Indy AND Miss Emmy & Miss Chloe kitties
My Angels: You are always in my heart.
You've flown to the rainbow and wait there for me Someday I will join you together to be
MrsWocket- it sounds like you have done a great job with Skittles!
I hate to hear how mistreated gliders can be before finding a loving home. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tantrum.gif" alt="" /> I have much admiration for all of you who take in rescues and teach them to trust. I hope one day when I have more time I wil be abe to do the same. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/muchlove.gif" alt="" />
Re: Taming a wild Glider
[Re: ]
#130306 08/10/0612:20 AM08/10/0612:20 AM
I had two very wild twin girls that I finally split up and put with very tame twin boys. The boys tamed them right down. I dont know if that works all the time but it sure did this time. Good luck and God bless it takes a special person to take in the rescues, I know i just took in 6. Its a whole new world. Bless you
Re: Taming a wild Glider
[Re: ]
#130307 08/10/0612:29 AM08/10/0612:29 AM
Oh how sweet! Hes adorable. I have no info to help you really for I am new too. Besides just be patient and work with him. I wanted to share that I am picking up a little girl tomorrow whose name is Skittles also :-)
Re: Taming a wild Glider
[Re: ]
#130308 08/10/0605:10 AM08/10/0605:10 AM
I have 2 wild caught gliders - both are rescues and both came to me in a pretty bad way. I found the best way was to leave them alone! Dave (1 of the rescues) was very nervous when we first took him, he'll now come over and say hello to me even when there's no food in my hand! He's still nervy and if I move suddenly he will scuttle off back to his nest!
The other 'mum' is absolutely fine now, again I left her alone, she'll sit on my hand and let me free her if she gets a claw caught in the pouch without a crab - she used to lunge at me!!
When I say I leave them alone I mean I don't try and pick them up (unless I have to of course), I'll talk to them and offer them treats and occasionally if they'll allow stroke them. But it's all at their own pace.
I guess you just have to understand that some gliders just aren't going to be cuddly tame, the most important thing is Skittles is now in a loving home with a mum that's just happy to have him <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Re: Taming a wild Glider
[Re: ozzi]
#130309 08/10/0611:15 AM08/10/0611:15 AM
Moorie, your work w/these gliders is a wonderful testimonial to patience and sensitivity to each individual glider's temperament and pace. They are fortunate to have made their way to your home!
Aw, he looks like such a little cutie. I wanted to cry seeing his little ear <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Please keep up the wonderful work you are doing with him and although it make take much time to truly bond with him, it will be so worth it in the end. Best of luck to you and please keep us updated on his progress.