Okay, so the breeder that we got our gliders from recommended we let our gliders run through our hands. I no longer trust the breeder, but my parents... well, I dunno. My dad, in my opinion, does that running through thing a bit too rough--it's sort of... scary, almost. You know, as in the mother terrified for her babies. XD
I've told him to take it easy. He's not <i>trying</i> to hurt them... well, dunno if they're physically injured, but I know *I* would be freaking out.

Advice? Other ways to play that are adult-friendly?

...

If you don't move much, they crawl all over you. You can pretend you're a tree. So far, it's all Appa and MoMo will do.

I really don't understand what you mean lol? But I will tell you that it's not a good idea to be rough with your gliders. They need to be able to trust your hands.
Can you try and explain it again?

renee...you know how they don't sit still? It's a PP technique where you put them in your hand, actually holding them...as they try to get away you just put your other hand in their way, so they are bacically crawling thru the "tunnels" that are your hands...you keep doing it...in one hand, out the other. It's supposed to get them used to your touch. Which it does but the OP is afraid his/her father is making the "tunnel" too restrictive.

Fact is, while they are sleeping in their bonding pouch or in your shirt, you can gently pet them. This helps them get used to your touch as well.

During play time...in the tent or other glider safe area...they will jump on you and you can pet them. I always do. They climb up the front of my shirt and I do the same thing your father is doing but with my open hand. They climb & I take both hands...one & then the other and pet, pet, pet, them. Gently pushing them into my front as they make their way up to my shoulder, then I give them a rubbing behind their ears once they have made it to their destination. Maybe get him to try that. You can be firm AND gentle...that's what you're going for. But explain to him that if he is actually being too rough...he will move the bonding process back. They won't want him to touch them or pet him.

You want them to enjoy the human touch, not be afraid of it. I know you know that, but explain it to him. Or let him read these comments...that way it's not you saying it, it's advice you got from the forum.

Duhr - thanks for the clarification Jazz:)

When I first had my gliders, I would just sit with my hand in their cage, and let them just either run across my hand or explore at their will. I would sit still with my palm down.

I wear a friendship bracelet on my right wrist made of embroidery floss. I have not take it off since I put it on in August. My babies love to pull at it, and bite it, but after all these months they have not managed to break the threads. And in case anyone wonders, they have not ever caught their nails in it. I wouldn't leave one in their cage to play with unless they are supervised though. They do bite me instead of the bracelet when they are getting really aggressive with it.

You could make a bracelet out of fleece to wear also with a fleece pompom. Suncoast sent me a fleece ring to play with, and they seemed to like it.

Read it again, those who are confused. It's not me, it's my dad...

Haha. Jazz, you're exactly right.


Hydirion, they don't always go to my dad. And when they do, he "tunnels"... maybe a bit too rough...

Well, since he's your dad, I won't suggest hitting him. Tends to be my solution for rough humans.

If you think it's too rough, it is (though not necessarily ACTUALLY too rough). Everyone needs to be comfortable and they can't talk and tell him, so go with your gut on this one.

Really sounds like some dad coaching might be in order. Find something for them to do together, and teach him that they're small and easily hurt by big things.

You might have him sit in a tent (or room) with them, alone, or carry them in HIS shirt for a while. Just with instructions not to "tunnel."

People are given instructions not to MOVE in my room.

Or give him a piece of chicken. Have him hold them while they eat that. Seems to me chicken is one thing all of our little ones like.

Anyone else agree?

Apparently, feather toys. Ones that have NEVER been around catnip.

All my gliders go nuts for chicken...make sur it's boiled chicken with no seasoning. I boil a chicken and put rip it into small pieces and put it in just enough for one serving in a sandwich bag in the freezer. Then anytime i need chicken treats all I need to do is pull out a bag and microwave it for a few seconds and we have a fresh perfect treat.

Hydirion, you are hilarious... "... not to MOVE in my room." Hahahaha.

Yes, we have a feather toy. My mom likes using that.

We've given them chicken before. Although, now that I think about it, it might have had some seasoning... I TOLD him not to use smoked chicken. >.<

Just explain to him that gliders tummies aren't good at digesting spices and seasonings....and many combined seasonings (mixed together in a shaker) contain onions and garlic and they are toxic to gliders. I know a miniscule amt. won't kill them but the large amounts we season our food with could.

And honestly, there really is no need to season when they will gobble it up just plain....it's a good way to sneak veggies in on them too if you have picky eaters. Cook the veggies with the chicken or after the chicken is cooked, dice some veggies up with the chicken,...pouring a bit of the juice over also helps.

i boil chicken in orange juice or apple juice in the microwave. even i love it!!

Jazz: My mom took off the seasoned skin. :D

Karen: Mm, sounds tasty.

It's true. One of my (no longer really) friends hit one out of the air. He's ok, thankfully. I'm fairly vocal that these guys are important to me, as they represent my ability to provide for something that is totally dependent on me.

Also, I love them. I don't have kids or dogs, so they're the only family I have living with me.