Hi, so it's true, I created a little monster by letting Mox hop out of her cage whenever she pleased. When I would leave the room, she just followed me around the house. After a week or so of this, I saw some potential dangers with her walking quietly under foot. Today I decided to close up her cage when I am not in the living room (which is not often).

The result is....she screams and growels continuously! I rearanged her toys to keep her busy and she has all of the food and water a little blue monster could ever need. I even put on the TV or radio to keep her company. She has our other fid out here with her as well. He is as quiet as a mouse, but gets irritated with Mox when she is screaming.

Does anyone know if this behaviour can be changed....and how to do it? Help!

Yep, she got used to the freedom and now she's upset I think it's excellent that you're not allowing her on the floor anymore Casey is never allowed on the floor.. if she gets spooked by accident and lands on the floor, she goes straight back to her cage and isn't given any special attention, I never want her to think that flying to the ground is a good thing. Casey was injured on the floor in her previous home (which resulted in a broken leg, so I've seen how long the healing process is).

What you'll have to do, when you're in the room with her and she flies down, just put her right back up on the cage.. it may take weeks and it'll feel crazy repetitive but it'll work eventually. Right now the screaming is just her frustration because there are different rules, try to ignore the bad behaviour and hopefully she'll teach herself how to stay occupied while you're out of the room.. it may take a while though.

Hopefully some others have more ideas Good luck!

I would say that you are putting her in her cage for a good reason. Maybe, before you put her in, you "explain" it to her. Talk and a firm, quiet, nice voice and tell her- Mommy has to go, you need to go play- or similar- and put her in the cage with a treat. The next thing you say- because you are such a GOOD GIRL, you get a cookie!!! Say that part in a very excited, rah rah voice.

Give her time to settle. The treat should distract her to break the behavior. If she eats it and starts again, leave it about 10 minutes and give no negative OR positive reinforcement whatsoever. Then, if she has not stopped carrying on- come in the room, in a very nonchalant way. DO NOT look at, make eye contact with your fid. Just cover her cage, with no comment or emotional reaction whatsoever and leave. Then, DO NOT come in the room even if you are done doing whatever you were doing- until she stops fussing. Then, come and uncover the cage, make a BIG fuss, take her out.

I would also consider letting her ride around your shouldar- just a quick tour of the house after you are finished your chores outside of her room as a reward for good behavior. So she doesn't feel like she missed anything! She must get used to having you go about your life and being in her cage- for when you have to go out etc etc.

Caseys mom gave great advice too, in regards how to train her to stay off the floor!



J

You can also try to make going into the cage more appealing. Use lots of praise and tell her what a good girl she is. Maybe a treat or two reserved for her going into the cage.