So, I have two wonderful suggie babies... One is named MoMo and the other is named Millie. I just recently added Millie to the family. And MoMo and I are still not bonded. So heres my question

If either of them are awake I stick my hand into the cage and they come right over and sniff it and if i have apple sause or something on my fingers they happily lick it off... But.... If they are in the pouch I'm to scared to stick my finger in there and just let myself get bit (I know i know... take the bite...but im new at this okay) So is it okay if i physically dont take them out of their pouch to get them out. Noramlly... Either of them i just have to say their name and they pop there little head out.... but MoMo can get a little pouch protective and doesnt exactly like me to stick my hand in his pouch at all unless he is out of it...

So, What do i do?


Thanks!

You are doing just fine. They need to build trust. In time you both will get over your fear. By letting them come to you, you are building trust with them and that is the first step to bonding.

I've had my boys for about two weeks now and I also lack the courage to stick my hand in their pouch. Currently I'm using a cage pouch that doubles as a bonding pouch so I don't have to transfer them for bonding time. I don't believe in "taking the bite" from ANY animal. If I upset them I stop what I'm doing and give them space. Forcing yourself upon them doesn't build trust in my opinion. Occasionally, I rest about half my hand inside the bonding pouch. If it startles them, I pull out and try it again later. Just go slow with them and let them call the shots. ;]

Yeah. To get them into the bonding pouch i kinda pinch there sleeping pouch closed and then i nudge them into the opening of the bonding pouch like tooth paste. it seems to work well! MoMo's crabbing has gotten better and Millie is just not much of a crabber

Instead of doing that, try this. Use your bonding pouch as their only cage pouch. That way, you won't have to keep moving them from pouch to pouch. This is what I do when I first get a new glider. Less stressful on everyone....

What I do and mine are bonded, but I started this when they weren't is I open the cage and rub them thru the pouch and talk to them before I stick my hand in, I think it helps wake them up a little and they know who's coming in... it's kind of like knocking Then after you have worked on that a little try scooping them up with one hand or give them a mealie after they are awake...if mine jump out and wake up I have a bonding pouch nearby and offer it to them, they usually hop right in.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try it all =)

I just wanted to add that if you're scared they'll bit then don't stick your FINGER in the pouch. Instead, form a fist(wrapping your fingers around your thumb) and put your hand in the pouch so that your knuckles are facing the gliders.

That way they can't wrap their little mouths around your fingers.

The first time I braved sticking my hand in the pouch like that I was pleasantly surprised by getting a full hand cleaning, lol. The gliders were sticking their long tongues between the cracks of my fingers. They didn't bite. They DID scrape their teeth on my skin, to groom me, but that doesn't hurt at all, it just feels funny.

I too use the bonding pouches as their cage pouches with jay & silent bob. They are crabby if you wake them up during the day and since I am still working with them (they are both 2 yrs old) I don't stick my hand in thier pouch. Quincy tho...is more bonded to me and I always stick my fingers in his pouch to pet him "hello" when I come home from work. Sometimes ill get the little nibble from him (not hard and he doesn't bite down hard at all).

If you aren't ready to attempt putting your hand in their pouch, then don't. It's ok.

Okay thanks much for the advice. I just want them to be able to bond with me... you know?

When I first got Rufus (Feb 2008) all he did was crab and bite and he would draw blood. I even had trouble getting him into the bonding pouch. I was so upset.

I started out just taking him in his pouch and putting it into his bonding pouch. Maybe a little overkill on the caution but I did not want him to run off. I was also using some pieces of fleece that I wore around for a couple of days and put a couple into his cage pouch and a couple into his bonding pouch.

After a little while I was able to get him from his cage pouch into his bonding pouch by turning it upside down (while holding the top closed so he didn't just fall out) over the bonding pouch while petting him thru the pouch to kind of wake him up. Then once he would start crabbing so that I knew he was awake I would open the top of the pouch and he would just slowly make his way into the bonding pouch.
Then after he had settled down and was nice and comfy I would put my hand in the pouch a couple of inches - he would crab of course but I just left my hand there, then after he was calm for a while I would remove my hand (no reward for crabbing but reward for being calm) Each time I would go a little bit further until I could cup him in my hand and he would go back to sleep.

Right now he is in a "pocket" that I sewed to the front of an old T-shirt and I can put my hand in any time and not get bit at all.

Of course he will still crab at me but I kind of feel like it is more of a Ma Don't Wake Me Up Againnnnnnnn.

Well.. He's getting better. He's letting me acutally pet him outside of the pouch... =D

It's great to hear you are making progress, some just take a little longer than others so keep working with him.

That's great! Putting scent blankies in his pouch and constantly talking softly to him will help. If you feel comfortable (and vice versa), you can put him in his pouch down your shirt and keep him close to your skin during the day while he's sleeping.

Thats what i do. He's doing so much better. In the day time if i come up to his cage while hes sleeping and talk to him. He will rustle around and sometimes pop his little head out of the pouch and look at me with that "mom, where is a treat? I woke up just for YOU!" look. Its the cutest