How to get wily Alex back into cage?

[Betrisher]

Barney is no problem at all. I just say 'Home time, Barney' and put him in the cage with a treat. Madge, on the other hand *knows* when it's home time and puts as much distance as she can between herself and me. For a while now, I've had to use Really Special Treats such as a silver spoon and my daughter's gold watch to lure Madge in. But lately, nothing works!

Tonight, Barney (the little paragon) was actually sleeping on his night perch and I was still turning myself into a pretzel trying to get Madge somewhere within the vicinity of the cage door. I had a container of dried paw paw with me and she *knew* what I would do with it. So, when I put the paw paw on the drawbridge arrangement that forms the door, Madge swooped down, seized a beakful of paw paw and took off for the shower curtain, cackling maniacally all the while. If it weren't so frustrating, I'd admire her for the intelligence. I don't want to have to towel her in order to make her go home, so I'd *really* appreciate any advice you might have. I just can't believe the difference between the two birds. Barney is just so biddable and sweet and Madge is such a - such a - girl!

This week, I've managed to teach Barney how to 'play ball' with his whiffle ball. He will go and peck at his ball and make it roll across the table when I ask him to. I'd have taught Madge the same thing, only she's less happy to sit and listen. Sigh. Patience, my young padawan...

 

[SparkkiSparkS]

My Letta is like that. I've got it down now thought, I use a nutri-berry, grape, or blueberry to get her in her cage every time. I put the others away first and give them each one and by then she is well aware that I have them out. I show it to her and stand by her cage and she will fly to the top of her cage or sometimes to my hand. If its to my hand I just put her in. Most of the time its not thought, so I show it to her where she can almost reach it then put it in her food bowl and step back. She will look at it for a min then go in her cage to get it. That's when you have to quickly shut the door. LOL

 

[Betrisher]

Nup! Madge won't go anywhere near the cage once she knows it's home time. If I can get her on my hand, she'll zip off in an instant as soon as I begin to lower it to the cage door. I was thinking of trying hypnotism...

 

[gemini84]

i have a very similar problem with prince. if just thinks its time to go to bed he will not step up. i have started putting their dinner in their cage about 5- 10 min before its lock up time. as soon as he ventures in to eat it, the doors get closed, i get bruno put him away and as soon as oxy sees that he sits waiting for me (that is if they havent already ventured into the cage.)