lol.. everyone thought Laurel would be the first to initiate contact. I spent the last few days hanging out for hours in their enclosure.Using the same behavior modification techniques I use for humans with anxiety disorders, I verbally praised each time they took a tossed treat. I used non-threatening body language and movement to "corral" them into a section of the enclosure to prevent pacing and circling (which is what they were used to doing when anxious). I discovered Maggie would stay in the area and remain calm. Laurel would bolt at any chance or sudden noise, which put Maggie on alert. Each time I would let them return to the "corral" marked space on their own, and they did, as if saying..."I know what is expected of me, so I'll go there." Maggie had more confidence and would approach treats, while Laurel would only take treats tossed at her feet. It didn't take long for Maggie to learn that "Come Maggie" meant come get a treat, and "Good Girl" meant stay there awhile and another treat will come. Maggie eventually took a treat from my hand. In the video, Megan and her dad were in the enclosure too. Megan kept up the routine of "corralling" then she had the intuition to move to their escape place at the opposite end of the enclosure. I called Maggie and she approached Meg and allowed her to pet her. Maggie would approach each time called, then got used to the good feeling of human touch as a reward on her own. If I were to psychologically evaluate them. I would say they are anxious, rather than fearful. Anxiety is a learned behavior that comes from not knowing what to expect in a given situation. Whereas fear is a reaction to a real or perceived (conditioned) threat. The girls would greatly benefit from a routine where they know what is expected of them. Laurel was still a little shy, but is showing more interest in human contact now that Maggie got attention.

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