Back in the Cage

[MissDarque]

I just got Louie (B&G) and loves to be out of his cage. I have a difficult time getting him to get back in. I try using a dowel for him to step up on and he screeches and bites it. I'm afraid it'll get him to hate me.


any tips on how to get your bird back in the cage if he's such a biter?

[Eriisu-chan]

Try limiting his time on the cage... Some birds'll get very territorial.

Other than that, I'd recommend watching Dr C's video on clicker training and trust building... That way you can work on a trusting relationship and positive reinforcement. In no time, he'll step up and step down!

[tropiclegirl]

Does he have a favorite treat? When its time for my birds to go in there cage i give Roxy nuts in the shell and both of them there nutriberries. They both go running to there bowls to go inside :D

[Lammergeier]

A treat/foraging toy can be an excellent time-saver for a bird who doesn't want to go back into his cage. My parrots have all, at some point, refused to go back for whatever reason, some in no uncertain terms (ow ow ow my finger, drat you, conure!), but with a toy you can hide treats, you can pattern your bird always to want to run into his cage and check to see if you've left him a "surprise".

At first, make it easy for him to see you putting the treat into his cage. You may have to just drop a nut into his food bowl at first, but as he catches on to the "go in cage" = "get treat" concept, you can start to introduce the toy. The idea is that he can't see if there's a treat in there or not until he goes inside to look: if you're very consistent, and your treat is very motivational, your bird won't even realize that he's been tricked. ^^