Handling my BP

[Madeline]

Hey ya'll!

Alrighty, so I have a gorgeous BP named Delilah that I got as a birthday gift a little over two years ago. She is great; she has the awesome, laid back temper that most docile BPs have. I held her most everyday and never had a problem. I was never nervous holding her or anything. After a while (and I'm not proud of this) I got busy and stopped really interacting with her. I realized this was happening about two months later, and went to get her out of her tank. All of the sudden I was very jumpy and irrationally scared of holding her, although I know that she is usually quite and calm. I felt her reacting to my mood, and quickly put her back. Since then I've had problems holding her, mostly because I've been worried that I might stress her out and what not. I feel terrible that I have not been holding her and stuff, since it's not cool to just make her sit in the cage without any interaction. I just really would like to start getting her (and me!) back to being accustomed to being held again, without stressing her out and making her anxious.

Do any of ya'll have any suggestions? Any comments are greatly appreciated!

[Andybill]

Well start slow I guess and handle her as long as you are comfortable. Just try to relax before you go in and grab her up. Most likely she has not gone back to being nippy like a baby if you were handling her a lot before. Chances are she the same ole Delilah that you are used to. You are just psyching yourself out. Chill! lol...

[Royal Chick]

Okay, good thing about BP's is that their moods don't change even when they aren't handled for a bit. Also since you're anxious and jumpy I would suggest sitting down with her for ten to fifteen minutes (shorter periods if you aren't comfortable with having her out that long) and just get to know her all over again. Take it slow and just do what's comfortable for you. Hope this helps

[Blubb]

Just start handling her when you're calm and not stressed or whatever. Pee before handling, or else you will get the urge to pee, believe me, lol.

[mackynz]

Try sitting down with her in a stress free environment. Put her on your lap and let her do her own thing, I have seen this help people ease into being comfortable actively handling.