Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 12:44 pmI would assume that you treat it just as you would a small child and talk in soothing manner and make gentle physical contact but could someone please elaborate.
If they're in their pouch or your hand the fastest way to calm them down is to form a cup with both hands, one on top and one on the bottom and cradle them very firmly. I was afraid to squeeze too hard at first and wasn't sure it would work when the breeder recommended it. It takes some practice, I barely touched them the first time and found that as I used a little more pressure they calmed right down. If they're in the pouch you can tell right where they're at, just cup them (still in the pouch) and think of immitating their time in mama's pouch. You want to shut out the light as you give them a cradled sensation.
If it's not an all out crabfest, gentle petting motions do the trick and if they're just a little on edge they seem to calm down if I hum or sing softly and stroke them. Our little girl is really a crabber though. I thought she was just going to scream the entire time I have her in the bonding pouch but the cradling method works lke a charm when the humming and stroking won't do it for her..
Good luck