Help..

[mack0311]

Ok, I'm admitting it, I'm extremely frusterated with my Black-Capped Conure, Sammy. I don't know what to do here? I can't get him to go into his cage. He's target trained but is too smart when im trying to lead him into his cage. As soon as the stick goes in his cage, he turns around and flies on my back. He just won't do it for treats. I've read Michael's post on the issue but nothing seems to work. His cage is big and has lots of perches and toys. I only allow him to eat in his cage too. It's like pulling teeth getting him to go back in.And I'm losing trust with him because I'll eventually have to grab him because I NEED to leave or something. Then he gets afraid of my hands and bites my fingers when I have him out. I get the whole positive reinforcement thing and thats how i'm approaching everything, but I'm so frusterated because it's becoming such a chore.

What else can I try?

[marie83]

Do you feed meals or free feed? I only ask because if your bird knows it's going to be a while before his next meal he will be more willing to go in and get his meal than if food is always available and he is less hungry.

[pennyandrocky]

is it always at the same time? mine have a regular routine they know when it's time to go in and come out so well that they put themselves to bed.

[mack0311]

I free feed, I guess. I give him his food in the morning and thats it for the day. If it's dark he'll go in and go to bed, but during the day or before dark, I can rarely get him in his cage willingly.

[marie83]

Try splitting his food allowence into a morning and evening meal and that should help. Take his morning meal out after a while so he has chance to get hungry. I think you'll find he will cooperate much better.
Once he is used to that you can start practicing putting him away (make his reward for going in really good) but then let him come straight back out again so he never knows when he is going to get shut in. That way your not waiting til its meal time if you need to put him away at other times.

[mack0311]

Good advice, I'll try that. Thanks!

[terri]

Hi Mack It sounds like hes out alot I think it might be this .You have him out alot ,your using positive rewards and giving him target training.HES LOVING THE ATTENTION AND FREEDOM he doesnt want to go back in his cage [Like he has a big head now] I would start over ,like with step up and a schedule[like penny and mya] Heres an example Have him see you in the morning for a short time.Then when you put him back make a super huge deal about it and give him a treat.Then after work [I work days]Have him step up ,put him on a playstand .then let him see you for a short time .Then same thing put him back [big deal and treats] then feed him dinner.Later one more time short visit and same thing.After he gets better with this add in the target training.Also you can incorperate Maries food thing.Good Luck

[mack0311]

Terri, thanks so much for the great advice. Here's how im doing things now: i wake up at 6:30 and take him out- he flies to his stand and then flies to me when he sees me preparing his food..a lot of the time sneaking food off the cutting board. Then I put him away around 7:30 and leave for work. I leave the radio on for him and he has lots of toys. I get hom around 5:30 or 6 and take him out until its dark-usually about 8:30 or so. However, if i wanted to put him away earlier, it would difficult-here's why... he'll simply just fly back to his perch when we start going to the cage. The double meals sound like it may work, but even with his food, he'll allow me to get him in the cage to his food bowl but then he keeps one foot on me and the other on the food bowl, grabs a piece of food and climbs back out up my arm. I could force his foot off but that would obviously be counter productive. He's a smart little devil but I don't know if I've ever been more frusterated haha. Thanks for the tips.

[terri]

Sounds like he loves being out with you so much.Maybe he needs a friend someone to chit chat with while your gone.

[Wayne361]

The double meals sound like it may work, but even with his food, he'll allow me to get him in the cage to his food bowl but then he keeps one foot on me and the other on the food bowl, grabs a piece of food and climbs back out up my arm. I could force his foot off but that would obviously be counter productive. He's a smart little devil but I don't know if I've ever been more frusterated haha. Thanks for the tips.[/quote]

Food management should do the trick...hunger is a huge motivator and food thus becomes a huge reward, and your parrot will have less chance of getting fat In terms of him holding on....simply do not move him close enough to his food bowl so that he can hold on AND get food....he is training you lol. He will get the idea that in order to eat he has to let go.

Hope this helps,

Wayne