vet visit went well! Tika was just fine, no complaining. Ms. Astrid on the other hand was a little more vocal. She actually managed to squirm out of the vet's hands and off the table. When she jumped off the table she jumped straight to me. Landed on my back. I froze! Haha! As the vet came closer she went up my hair and to the top of my head. When the vet got really close, she jumped off of me and onto the floor. (I was sitting down). I think she would have jumped to Paul if he wasn't standing up. I am being hopeful and thinking it may be a good thing that she didn't mind jumping on me?? I think that the clothes in their home is a big help. They seem to spend a LOT of time on our shirts. Maybe that is why she jumped to me? It seems like it should be too early to tell, but overall they have been doing better than I was imagining they would be.

I welcome any thoughts....

P.S. 100% clean bill of health. VERY healthy!!! Yay!

A familiar smell in a strange environment!

Yay!

Today they both slept in our clothes. I think that's too cool!
But we are not speeding up at all... I realize they still don't know us, so still taking it slow.

Wow! sounds like things are still going great!

Yay! We're going to try to start tent time on Friday . . . . see how that goes.

You are doing everything right, and the bonding process is going very well. So excited for you.

It might be a good idea to put something on the floor of the tent like a sheet to muffle the sound the tent floor makes. Sometimes it will scare the gliders until they are used to it. Also makes clean up easier Take pictures if you get a chance. We do love seeing those pictures

I am so excited for you!!!!

Don't forget some treats and tissues for poo clean ups. I also recommend socks to cover your toes (they may get too curious about things that are smaller than them) and maybe a ball cap or hoodie if you're worried about your hair getting pooped on.

Expect face hugs!!!!!

I wear socks in my tent. I also wear some sort of long sleeved shirt/jacket as they love to run up and down the inside and outside. Plus I just shower afterwards and plan on getting pee and poo - at least I find it unavoidable! However, it is the most fun and amazing experience-even now.
Have fun!

Thank you everyone for your hints and tips for Tent Time. We will follow your advice.

Can't wait!

You want the first tent time to be a positive experience as possible for the gliders.

Thank you!
It's tonight and I'm so nervous. I picture them doing a lot of stuff but then tell myself they may not because it's the first time.

So, how did it go?

Well, . . . I must admit. I was extra tired last night (true story). . . or chickened out (possible true story). Either way, we did not do tent time last night. I was thinking of starting a schedule though, since it may be easier to start one after a week with them then wait until later. Last night they woke up at about 10:35 pm. They both ate a bit but then went back to bed for about 15 more minutes. After that, they were pretty much up for the night.


I am confused about a couple of things though....

Better to take them out for tent time 30 minutes or so before they normally wake up? (Which would mean 10:00 pm tent time every day.) Better to let them wake up, eat a bit and then tent time? I'm thinking it would be easier to take them out of their house while they are still in their sleeping pouch. Bring their food in with us?

P.S. Paul said he heard them make a weird sound last night like barking, some time around 4:00 am I think. If it was barking it was the first time they have so far. (I was sleeping down the hall so didn't hear it.)

Well, I got them into a bonding pouch (with a little bribe but no crabbing). I am wearing them now. I hope they still want to sleep in their sleeping pouch after this.

When we went to the vet we put the whole sleeping pouch (a different one than this) into the carrier and after they got home they wouldn't sleep in that pouch anymore. We were thinking maybe they thought that pouch meant a vet visit. They have slept in it one night since.

So hopefully the bonding pouch experience is not as traumatic as the vet and they won't mind going back to their now regular sleeping pouch after today.

Yeah, they do associate things with their experiences. It's usually only for a day or so.

I found the best tent times were in the mornings. Usually before they go to bed for the day. But usually they will not come out and play without a bit of nudging.


I'd let them eat, potty go back to bed and then take them out to go into tent. Just let them sit in their pouch and look/ smell. Low light. Take your phone or laptop in so you can just be present. I take a pillow too and just lay down. Get comfy, it takes a bit at first. You can lay some treats out so they have to get out of their pouch to get them.

Currently in the tent. Have only been in here for about 9 minutes. Put the bonding pouch on the floor and just waiting to see if they come out. There are treats out and toys, and a couple that they have already marked from their tent. Haven't come out yet but if not we will try again tomorrow. Wait! Movement. . . .

So. . . . this is about how brave they were together (picture below) . . . took about an hour for them to decide they REALLY wanted some mealies.

The usual brave one (Tika) did finally go out of the pouch. Walked around a little bit but eventually went back in the pouch with her sister. About that time we took them back into their house to feed them dinner.
Started tent time a little later than I was planning. Now they are playing and eating and eating and playing in their house.

Tomorrow we will do tent time again. . .

Pictures! I LOVE the one where Astrid came out sideways!

It's a start!!! .
I use the same bowls BTW.
Yeah, they're really shy at first. Not sure what they're supposed to do.

You didn't happen to get any braided rope or vines with your cage sets did you? I have one hung in my tent with a diaper pen attaching it to the ceiling.

Or any large floor toys? This is a little tykes boat I got for $1 at a thrift store. I also have a Noah's ark as a ball pit too. It's a fun place for them to explore.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dszUZsBLasCW1CLA6

Oh, that boat looks neat!

We have a tunnel like thing we could bring in there with us.

Yes, those are Peggy's bowls. Yay!

I had a hanging thing with leaves and a fleece braid, both from their tent so it would have their scent on it.
(This tent came with four places to hang things from.)

Much better tent time today... We brought them in as they were sleeping together in our shirts, they were not in the pouch today.
Uncovered them and as they started walking out gently took the shirts away. Gave them yoggies when they came out of the shirts.
They spent some time getting to know the tent/seeing if there were any escape routes. Haha.

We tried our best to ignore them, as we were told to do. That is really difficult when they are so cute! They explored and walked on me and Paul. They were on Paul's leg a LOT. One was on me for a bit. They also used us to get on and off of the tent wall and hanging toy. Played a little with the toys and on the hanging things I had in there. They did not try to bite at all. Did not lunge. Just explored the tent and the people. I would say all together it was a great tent time!

When we could tell they were done we put the pouch in front of the normally shy one, Astrid, and she went right in. Then we showed the pouch to Tika and she went right in with her sister. Whew! They got yoggies while in the pouch on the way back to their house for doing such a good job in the tent.

I gotta admit... I was as nervous as they were in the beginning, but it looks like we all got over that pretty quick. Looking forward to tomorrow!

Congratulations!!!!


But don't take it personally if within a few more tent times there is a set back. That's normal, just didn't want to tell you right up front.. All gliders are unique little characters and it may never happen, but just be prepared and don't give up.

Yes, I am really trying to mentally not get ahead of myself.
It was a good tent time but I am trying to remember that each tent time can be different.
Even last night, each time Paul put his fingers out, or they went near his fingers I got nervous and said, "watch your fingers", haha.

I will post some pictures later tonight. The phone is saving them too big again.

Congratulations on a great tent time!

Thank you so much! 😃


Tent time is going well. . . .

The first one went surprisingly well, as you already read about.

The next one they wanted to sleep in their pouch more than explore.

Taking advice from the breeder, we changed tactics a little bit for the next one and all future tent times. We woke them up and gently let them out of their pouch and then put the pouch (or the clothes they were sleeping in) outside of the tent. The first time we did that they climbed on us a tiny bit but were a bit skittish (understandably). The next day was a little better – they climbed on us and walked around a little longer, not seeming AS skittish. One even played with a couple of toys.

Last night was a small breakthrough, I think. One of the girls let Paul pet her while she sat on his leg for a while. 😊 She was not distracted by anything, just sitting there. I have an awesome picture of later where it looks like they are both watching tv. She is on his shoulder looking the same way as he is. Too sweet!

I was petting the other little girl but she wasn’t as brave as the one with Paul. That’s perfectly fine. She still allowed me to pet her while she was half hidden under my leg.

Our little girls may be the only Gliders (possibly) who do not mind the sound of the bottom of the actual tent. They walk around in the middle and on the edges, it doesn’t seem to bother them. So we have ditched the sheet we started with. It’s a lot easier without it.

We take them out at the same time every night (within a 20 minute window) – part of the original advice. They are usually done in about 30-45 minutes. At that point they stop climbing on us and start climbing the tent walls, looking for a way out. So at that time we bring the pouch back inside and one will crawl in, then the other. Although yesterday one crawled back out and onto Paul after she had already climbed into the pouch. Good sign? Perhaps. . . . 😃

I still consider every day baby steps. We realize that they can have their good days and their bad days, but for the most part they seem to have good days. They are still eating decent and finishing that staple 100%! Yay! I wish they would wake up a little earlier but I know they need their sleep, so . . .

**Please enjoy the pictures!**

sounds like you had a few really good sessions!!!

Fiona watches TV
Dot and Stewie climb the tent and jump to us.

Dot has recently decided to start watching TV too.

Stewie has way too much energy to sit still at all.

I had to take pouches away too in the tent.

A simple cat toy will help with interaction too.
The basic stick, string, and feathers tied to the end. If you buy one, be sure it isn't laced with catnip(poisonous to gliders). This toy of course is only meant for supervised play.

Pics are awesome!!! Your babies are too cute!