These pouches are truly amazing and I feel its what turned Buffy around so quickly.

Ok, maybe I am dense. How did it turn a protective glider into one that is not. Is it because it is not fully closed on the sides?

what the idea of it orignally .. was it was hung on the side of the cage.. it was designed for gliders that when in the pouch, they carabbed and bit, lunged. But out of the pouch they were fine.. the design of it, allowed the owner to quickly take the pouch from closed quarters, to fully exposing them, thus removing the need for protective behaviour.

I asked shelle when we were were talking at the beginning, I wouldn't know how this would work on buffy, i asked her if she was willing to try something.. seeing that not only was buffy pouch protective, but also cage protective..

I thought about it more and more.. and had jack in one, he was very very scared because of his one eye, and angel was extremely protective of him, at all times, they were doing so well, i figured why not try it with buffy..

Shelle was willing to try..

the idea behind the way she is using it, (not on the side of the cage like a pouch, but as a hammock of sort, where the bottom of the pouch is stictched up to give the pouch feeling, but open wide so she could see everything in her environment..

in essence, when she couldn't see but only hear a sound, "her space" that she needed to protect caused her to be reactive.. protecting as far as she could reach AFTER her adrenaline was pumping and she was in fear.

with the pouch being used in the open position, it allowed her to see every sound, at all times , her environment grew from not only her pouch (limited sight), but now to the entire room. thus making everything in the room, a "norm" in her environment. so the movements and sounds, and little things that startled her before, now was okay.. she could SEE that nothing was out to harm her.

This takes time, nothing happens over night, and it also requires a lot of work between the owner and the glider, it requires the owner to (in spite of the previous biting) to learn to feel confidant and relaxed and begin a new trust. To be patient, consistant and always think of the gliders fear factors at all times, the owner must learn the gliders body language, learn to see when she is afraid, what startles her, and try their best to reassure her. But most importantly, look at your glider, and tell yourself, if this is the best they will be, that you will still love them..It requires the glider to open it's heart to no longer want to be afraid.

I hope this has helped to answer the question..

I agree with Bourbon, with Buffy it took me major courage to stick my finger in the pouch for a treat. It does take alot of work and commitment but seeing Buffy not terrified anymore is worth soo much. I do not think she will ever be able to be in a regular pouch. I tried to let her in one to transfer to the tent and she was instantly the old Buffy. I don't know if this is just her or all gliders like her. I love these pouches and she can stay with it forever. Shes not a cuddle bug or wants to be held. I have learned that I cannot touch her head at all. Which is fine, its just her. My goal starting was for Buffy to be happy and no more blood shed on me. We have accomplished these goals. We can go to the tent for some play time without me being terrified and Buffy actually enjoying herself.
If not for Bourbon, Teresa and the pouch, Buffy would still be a terrified sad glider.

shelle, please do not give me any credit, the work came from you and buffy, together you both accomplished your goals..

You guys held my hand and gave me the courage to do what you told me to do lol, You know how terrified of her I was. I had finally given up when you guys jumped in to show me the way. I was lost, 2 years and Buffy was at her worst behavior, theres only so many bites I could take. Then you guys showed, well told me what to do and I followed it to the letter. Poor Buffy every hour on the hour lickys until she was tired then every 2 hours. We are now in a great routine. One that will take us through the rest of our lives together or until she will allow another glider near her.

Well should update on Buffy. Well she had a day lol. The girl I'm glider sitting for wanted a peek at the infamous Buffy, well Buffy unpredictableness showed. She lunged and crabbed with the girl just looking, poor Carmen and Buffy but Buffy is back to her sweet self now.

Awww, poor girl! Do strangers upset Buffy as a general rule?

Aww Shelle I am sorry she had a bad day Maybe next time she will like your friend.

Shelle Leila also does not do well in a regular pouch. We lost power the other night and it was getting pretty cold in the house so I had to put them in a regular pouch with blankets. Well lets just say it was a special treat that I will not be offering unless needed again. She went right back to wild Leila. But once back in her Protective Pouch she was fine I could pet her and everything was all better. Needless to say Hubby got to go get a generator so house will not get cold next time power goes off (Ok so it is not just for the gliders I was cold too)

Shawna Buffy usually loves strangers, all the attention, Maybe because Carmen smelled like "different" gliders maybe. buffy normally loves people "ooh'ing " and "aww'ing" over her lol. She was just having a off day, its ok. Shes back to loving mom so thats all that matters lol.
Yeah Brenda, Buffy cannot be in a regular pouch either, but thats ok too.

Aww, that is good. Makes it easier to have people over!
Day by day we get just a bit better. Dex let me give him a treat again today, it was a peanut and he went right to work eating it. They let me adjust their pouch today, they were in it and awake, and I tightened up the S hook on it, so it will stop falling down. No big for them. YAY!

That is wonderful!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work, things will keep getting better!!!

I moved Buffy into a 5 foot tall cage as she was getting board in the 4 foot one, Better places to hang non hiding toys, Will keep everyone updated!!!

He licked me! He licked me! I put my (shaking) finger up to the cage bars, and he came over and stuck his nose through, and put his teeth on me, I didn't flinch (much) then he licked me! So we did this for like 5 minutes, I had to keep coming back to do it again. He'd run over to me sniff me, put his mouth on me then wander off. He did grab my shirt and bite it, then pulled it into the cage and (try to) mark it. He's neutered. B was on the phone with me and said that I should put the shirt on the cage for him. Gotta wait til I can trim nails, though. I am just so darned excited! I could pop, he likes me! Of course, I am the slave that brings him nuts (I found his snack weakness). Gonna have to find a replacement, can't do that for very long.

Hmm Yoggies?//
Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't it exciting when you get a break through???? Have you tried licky treats? That might be a better option then taking things with the teeth, thats what we did at first with Buffy

He doesn't like yogurt, pudding, babyfood, yogies, dried fruit, yogurt covered raisins, or anything else you would normally give them. The only thing he likes is nuts. I'm only giving them a couple of times a week, but I think I'm gonna order some worms and see how he likes those. Sigh, he's not easy but its so worth it!
BTW, he did NOT like me after I took my bath.

applesauce, was a great treat for Buffy in the beginning. The move to the big cage has really lifted her spirits, theres a saucer hanging toy in ther that she fell in love with, not sure who makes it, it was given to me. Once I find the maker will have to scrounge the money to get her a couple more lol. Shes limited on the types of toys she can have poor baby.

Oh I moved my horribly pouch protective glider into the special pouch yesterday and hes already 99 % better. I bumped the cage n not a peep just a look, his extreme hyperness is better already. I thought he was just a hyper glider, I realize now after being in the new pouch, it was full terror causing him to be hyper.

I've seen that before, with my Smeagol. He was so scared of everything that he would run in circles in the cage, because he was too scared to focus enough to find a hiding spot. He overgroomed his back, he had several bald spots on the lower back area. He wouldn't eat. I did the same thing we've done with these other guys (minus the pouch), but very exposed, talk to him a lot. Hands in the cage, make him get used to me. Now he is in my colony of 5, and you can't tell him and Fuzzy apart. They are so laid back, they will come hang out on my arms while I'm in thier cage. Check my hands at feeding time, take treats, whatever. Its awesome.

Thank goodness no over grooming here and he eats enough for 2 gliders lol, he eats very very slow and is grossly food aggressive with other gliders, he was pulled from a trio because of intense fighting over food. He unfortunately is a lone glider right now, was hoping he and Buffy could be friends but nope she wants nothing to do with him PERIOD.

Sometimes it takes a while to find the best friend for them. Good luck with it.
Last night we had an okay night. He only likes me I guess when I am really stinky! LOL, we need some tent time. I gotta work up some serious amount of courage for that one.

Shawna wear battle gear thats what I did with Buffy, two or three shirts, one with hood. Oversized sleeves to tuck your hands in. This one is the biggy, sweats or something with a tight cuff so the glider doesn't go up your pants!! I have gotten really lax with Buffy, I still do the sweats but just me, I wear t=shirts or long sleeve shirt, The first time can be scary. I had my dads g/f outside of the tent with a oven mitt ready to pry Buffy off if needed lol. She was pretty good the first time until she found a toy she could hide in/

Gonna try it this week end, unless I chicken out. LOL, I am nervous. But, we are still doing the hands by the cage thing and it is going really well. He puts his teeth on me, and I make the psst sound and he looks around all innocent like "What, I didn't do anything!" Goober!

You might try resting your arm IN the cage before you jump head first into the tent. I wore a think long sleeve sweatshirt when I first started putting my arm in Buffys cage.
She sniffed me and was like yeah ok your here BUT watch me run on my wheel or hang upside down lol

I am interested in using the pouch for my 5 gliders (they sleep together but the oldest female is protective and crabby) Can you post closer pics of it or a diagram? I have a home made hammock that I would like to modify into the pouch protective pouch. Once I see if it will help my suggies I will order the real deal. lol $15 is a bit much if I am not sure they will like it. They won't go into the hammock when their hanging tunnel is available.

http://www.thepamperedglider.com/products.htm
heres the link, she makes pouches for pairs and a family size one, you can e-mail her for sizes and things. HTH

Really, really good news! Woot, woot! First, last night, I got to pet Dexter in his cage. He didn't even care, or try to bite, or anything. Okay, thats exciting right? Right? Well, this morning (I've only been up for about an hour) I tried to give him a treat, and he didn't want it, and he had that look, Shelley you know what I mean, like I wanna bite you. So, I gave him my hand so he could see it was me. He tried to bite, but I told him psst, pretty quiet and he let go. It was more of a putting his teeth on me thing. Anyway, tried to give him another treat, and he was too, I guess up is the word. All over the place. I put the whole treat bowl in his cage and said, fine you pick. He didn't want a treat, he wiggled his way out of the cage by my arm, marked my hand Then climbed up my arm and ran to my back. All I could think is oh, God, my ears! LOL, scooped him back and he went back in the cage, and after some maneuvering got him off of me and the door closed. HE WANTS TO PLAY!!!!! I think he likes me. I'm so happy I could cry.

DEXTER LOVES HIS MOMMY!!!!!!!!!

This is fantastic news. I am so glad you got to pet him. It seems so taken for granted that we can pet our gldiers but when you have one you have not been able to do this with it is such a wonderful feeling to have that first PET/scratch.
Congratulations Shawna
You know one thing is it has been an full moon and I know my gliders have been barking all night long and acting a bit strange so be aware of this.

Keep posting as we love hearing the good things that come from this pouch.

That is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its wonderful when theres a great improvement and when you start noticing the body language before the bites!

LOL and you goal was what??? Great job Dex

We did the climbing on my arm thing again tonight. Sooooooo exciting! He peed on me! (okay that's just sick, I'm thrilled that he peed on me, LOL) This is very, very stressful for him, I can tell by watching his body language, but not scary, just new. He IS still trying to bite, but that quiet psst stops him instantly. He tries to mark me, but really can't because he's neutered. He groomed my hand for a few seconds, but he is very jumpy about the whole arm in the cage thing. I think its cause he wants the whole enchilada, not just my arm We will have to try bathroom time, soon. But, I can have my hands in his cage without fear.
PS, B-I don't remember what my goal was! LOL!