Going back in the cage.

Ann333 · Nov 30, 2015

For some reason the search tool won't work on my phone. Can someone give me advice or links to help with my problem. The last week Punk started flying away any time it's time to go back into the cage the last few days he bites really hard anytime he knows I'm trying to get him in his cage. He's turning into a serious velcro bird. I can't even get him to play with his toys on his stand. He just wants to be with me. I don't want him to over bond and develop problems. But anytime I put him down he flies right back.

Dinosrawr · Nov 30, 2015

The best way to do it is to always make it a "trick"! My birds know "go to your perch", and they get so excited to do it. Shiko hates going back to his cage and will fly away if he knows that's what I'm doing, but if I tell him that command then he'll gladly go to take a treat. Once he's eating the treat on the cage door perch, then I close it and voila - bird is in the cage and everyone is happy!

Flboy · Nov 30, 2015

Also, house rule, cage equals special treat! For JoJo, walnut!

Ann333 · Dec 1, 2015

Awesome thanks guys!

Kyoto · Dec 1, 2015

Same works for me! 90% of the time... Sometimes she is just difficult

Ann333 · Dec 1, 2015

I used millet and made him follow it in then let him have a bite. I closed the door and let him have another bite for not trying to rush out before it closed.

he sat on his perch happily eating his millet. So much better that him flying away and biting!!

Flboy · Dec 1, 2015

Ann333 said:
I used millet and made him follow it in then let him have a bite. I closed the door and let him have another bite for not trying to rush out before it closed. he sat on his perch happily eating his millet. So much better that him flying away and biting!!

Awesome, cage=special treat!

StephenAndKyleigh · Dec 6, 2015

100% of the time that the bird goes into the cage, the bird gets a treat. Never EVER force a bird into the cage. If he doesnt want to go in, take a step back, gather yourself, and try again. Remember to never force it.

And a side note...The cage is never your "timeout" place. The cage is always known to be a happy place.

gracebowen · Dec 6, 2015

Well I will admit I make my tiel go back. Last night I tossed a shirt over him, gently scooped him up and put him in. It was 11 30 already.

Ill try millet tonight.

StephenAndKyleigh · Dec 6, 2015

gracebowen said:
Well I will admit I make my tiel go back. Last night I tossed a shirt over him, gently scooped him up and put him in. It was 11 30 already.

Ill try millet tonight.

Positive reinforcement is the way to go. Google Barbara Heidenreich.

IF you cockatiel was a killer whale...would you just toss a shirt over it and do with it as you please? No way. Then dont do it to your birds.

Peppo · Dec 7, 2015

Paco almost always steps up to go back in his cage on the first try but when he wants "5 more minutes, please," I give it to him (maybe only a minute though). I don't understand, but he seems to understand that I gave in a little and will then step up to go with no problem. I constantly tell him what I am doing, in the same way, same words, same order. "Ok, 1 more minute.....ok, all done, step up!" He gets a kiss on the head before he steps down into his cage. It seems like they understand so much of what we say if we say words consistently.

Ann333 · Dec 7, 2015

Well mullets not working. Punk knows I'm going to shut the cage once he goes in. He won't go anywhere near the cage at all, not for millet, not for anything. This is my last week of the semester so this weekend I plan to play with Punk on and around the cage. Encourage him to go in and NOT close the cage. Or sometimes close the cage for a few seconds and open it back up. Lots of treats for him through the process. Any other suggestions or ideas?

Dinosrawr · Dec 8, 2015

Another thing is never feeding them outside of the cage aside from training treats. My birds can only get water or food in their cages, and they'll often climb back inside when they're hungry or thirsty. I also have them conditioned to respond to cupcake holders, as I use them to forage. If they're being extremely difficult, I just start making them in a very obvious manner so they know what I'm doing and then place them inside their cages. They'll crawl in right away.

Otherwise it's just a matter of making a positive association with the cage or finding a high value treat that you only ever use for going inside the cage. For Shiko, it's nutriberries. Avery is easy, so she gets whatever I have on hand. Does he have a perch door to land on? I find that makes it a lot easier than placing them inside it too.

Ann333 · Dec 8, 2015

Thanks for the tip about the food. I have always opened the cage door and took the food and water bowls out and put them on the play stand. It's a good idea to leave them in the cage. I'm going to really work with him on associating the cage with positive things like playing and favorite treats.

Going back in the cage.

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