I'm asking help because I don't know how to change my parrot's behavior for his own good.
He's four months old. When I open his cage, he goes out by himself (or rushes to my hand to get out) and gets on top of it, where he has food, water, trees to climb and toys to play with. I try to change the toys often so he can entertain himself but he is very dependent, it seems he won't play if there is not someone near him. He is very dependent, all he cares about is attention and being petted. But, life being what it is, I can't spend every minute with him.
So, everytime we move out of his sight, he " flies " in an attempt to follow us. But, his wings being cut so short, he just drops on the floor. Here's my question. I would really like him to be out of his cage everytime we're home, even if we're not sitting in front of him, so how do I teach him to stay on his cage ?
Right now, I just put him back on top of his cage when he drops on the floor, without giving him any attention, because I don't want him to associate dropping on the floor with attention. After 2 or 3 times in a row, I put him back inside his cage. I've been doing this since I had him 6 weeks ago, and he clearly does not make the association " if I stay on my cage, I'll get to stay out " - if I don't, I'll go back to my cage.
I'm really lost here. I'm really good with dogs and cats, but don't know what to do in this case...