Stupid pills for sunnies

I was just wondering if anyone knows of a way to make sunnies more stupid.
Seriously, I mean Skittles is pretty darn smart that training him is a breeze.

Unfortunately, the down side is they can also use that intelligence in lets say "non-productive" ways. I'm getting really tired of being outsmarted by this little punk. lol.

I mean, seriously, how the heck can someone with a brain as small as his be able to outsmart me on a regular basis? I know I'm not stupid, in fact I think I'm pretty smart. But just once, I'd like to outsmart him. I don't think its too much to ask.

For instance?

Its a whole variety of things. But it seems like every time I come up with a way to stop him from going somewhere he's not supposed to go, he finds a way. Sometimes I can be really creative in stopping him yet he somehow finds a way around it.

I mean, my whole post was actually tongue-in-cheek. I just find it hilarious how smart these little buggers are. lol.

Just to give you a few examples though- I have a very 'lightweight', hollow bedroom door and sometimes I need to go in my bedroom and I will close the door (but leave it ajar a bit, it doesn't actually close the whole way cause of being uneven. Anyways, one time I went in the bedroom when Skittles was distracted so I could clean his sleep cage (so he wouldn't pitch a fit) and it wasn't long before I heard a "tap,tap,tap" and the little stinker pushed the door open and flew right up to me. Then theres the time I put a curtain up to stop him from going in the kitchen and he would fly onto the floor and climb under the curtain. I got a heavier curtain thinking that would solve that problem and then he managed to find a way in through the pantry opening in the hall. I eventually just gave up and now have to make adjustments when I'm in the kitchen to keep it safe for him.

Skittles loves to climb inside my shirt and 'burrow'. He also likes to rub his face on my chest hair and he makes little 'purring' noises when he does it. This is a regular thing for him. But its also a great way to distract him when he is being mischievous. When that happens, I will grab him (he doesn't resist me) and then stuff him in my shirt and tuck my shirt in so he can't get out. I will also tighten the shirt around my neck so he can't climb out. Well, he found a new way- he maneuvered his way through my armpits and out the sleeves.

I should emphasize that he doesn't pitch a fit when I do this- if he did, I wouldn't do it. It's more like a 'game' to him since I can keep doing it without a struggle. Trust me, he has NO PROBLEM expressing displeasure. lol.

The ironic thing is also this--- he will fly over to his treat bag and really want a treat. So I will give it to him and he is all happy. Then I leave the room and he drops his treat and follows me. Its like he is determined to find a way to be with daddy no matter what.

I feel you! They are so smart and they are great at finding their way out! Skittles sounds like lots of fun! Enjoy his company <3

Ah just goes to show the best treat for Skittles is to be with his Daddy.

oh how I wish my Abba would live in my shirt.
she could be with me 24 hrs a day.

sure he’s smart but it also sounds like dad isn’t using the cage to contain him when he needs it most!

Thanks for explaining! Ollie does similar things and I can also grab him and put him on my shirt as a distraction. They're so funny and smart!

Birdie's playroom is the screened porch out back which she loves because she can keep track of what our two dogs are doing out there. But I have to remember to lock the doggie door because she'll go right through to the great outdoors! She was lost for a week once! And Birdie flies with her treats and eats them on my shoulder if I leave the room. They are so very, very smart. Birdie also knows what will get our attention in a hurry....chewing on picture frames and chandeliers. Then she says, "Get down! Get down!"

chris-md said:

sure he’s smart but it also sounds like dad isn’t using the cage to contain him when he needs it most!

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I do cage him when he really misbehaves (like if he screaches when I'm on the phone) or doesn't listen to repeated commands.

I just don't think disciplining him for his natural curiosity is a proper training technique.