It is very important that you leave your Sugar Glider alone and undisturbed for the first 2 days after bringing them home no matter what age they are.  This will allow them to acclimate to the new smells and sounds of their new home.

After the first 2 days have passed, it is very important that you gently introduce a training schedule beginning with pocket time.  By placing your new Sugar Glider in a closed pocket on the shirt you are wearing, your glider becomes familiar with your heart beat, breathing, and the sound of your voice.  You can close you pocket with a safety pin until the glider is trained to stay inside your pocket.  These training periods should last 2-4 hours a day beginning in the middle of the afternoon before your Sugar Gliders regular nocturnal play-time begins.  It is not a good idea to leave your glider in your pocket over 6 hours.  Also if you take a small piece of cloth, wear it around when you sweat, and put it in the box for your glider to sleep with, this will help them recognize your odor more quickly.  Allowing them to nap or rest inside your pocket with assist in their inner security and allow for a smoother next step of hand training.  Some breeders suggest to use bonding pouches. The problem with this is that they bond very well to the pouch, more than they do the person. We at SGC do not recommend this for bonding a glider to an individual.

Hand training your glider is very important and begins with picking up your glider.  Avoid grabbing them by their tail when picking them up, but instead wrap your fingers around their belly and pull them into you cupping them in your hands.  If they nip or bit, simply roll them up putting their face towards their stomach and hold them quietly without movement until they settle down.  Avoid quick jerky movements because this will only excite them more than they were by being captured.  DO NOT put them down if they bit.  You will only teach them that they will get their way if they bit by doing so.  Remember you are the boss, not the little dynamo.  To get your glider to stop nipping, cup them in both hands until they stop and go to sleep. Do this every day, and you should have no problem with any nipping. If it nips too much, use a pair of cloth gloves, preferably brown. 

Next, select a small room or shower area with a closed secure door.  Place towels or blankets at the bottom draft area to block any escape routes.  Be sure to close any open toilet lids for safety and shut any open windows.  Allow your glider to walk across your shoulders, arms, and lap (your head too, if tolerated).  If your Sugar Glider decides to leave your body for the ground or furniture, pick them up immediately and place them back on your body each time.  You are teaching them that your body is their limit of approved freedom.  Allowing them the freedom of an open room is inviting them to do so anywhere at any time.

Test you trainee in small rooms of your household.  If your Sugar Glider stays on you and does not venture off, you are succeeding.  Be sure to have a hanging pouch or pocket available for them to crawl into should they become frightened by a strange noise.

Gliders can co-exist with other family pets as long as they are properly introduced, trained, and supervised.  It is very important that you be present when allowing your pets to interact with each other.  Predatorily instincts may surface without discipline and supervision.

 

Remember, proper training is a gradual transformation in stages.  Make sure you and your glider pass each stage before trying the next step.

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