Cage territorial?

[kozykitty]

So we've had Gloria (BFA--30 years old) for 4 weeks now. She has come out of her cage once when I opened the door to see what she would do. She climbed out and went on top of the cage for about 20 minutes then she went back inside. She has shown no desire to come out again. I set up a tall play stand and put a rope perch from her cage to the stand to see if she would go on it and so far she hasn't. I also open her cage door whenever I'm in the room, which is most of the time I'm home. She chooses to not come out. I don't know how long she has been cage bound. I suspect quite a while as her previous owner was elderly and probably had trouble caring for her. Then she was in a breeding cage at a shop for about 3 weeks. I'd really like to get her out of her cage so it can get a proper cleaning and because I think she needs to come out. She won't step up on my hand. I've been trying to stick train her using her favorite treat of freeze dried mango. She'll reach for the mango but won't go near the stick. She attacks the stick or she goes to the other side of the cage or up to the top of the cage. She growls and is aggressive toward the stick. Today she bit me while trying to do this. I scolded her and withdrew the treat. Normally she'll take food out of my hand but she won't let me touch her. What should my next steps be? I feel that we need to get to a point where she'll either step on my hand or a stick at command as there will come a time when I need to move her.

Could this be cage territorial behavior? I know she's bitten me when I've put my hand in to get her dishes, but we've solved that problem. She knows that she won't get her dish is she exhibits that behavior. When I say "no" she stops. Any suggestions?

 

[Peppo]

Four weeks isn't a long time. I would just work on trust. Always a soothing voice, sing from outside the cage, treats from outside too. You mentioned scolding her. I would make sure to never raise your voice angrily, although it is sometimes hard! Practice your evil eye coupled with your arms crossed and looking the other way for a minute when she does wrong. It truly works and she will not be afraid but will realize she looses your attention. Just be patient, she has had a huge transition and they are all different in how much time it will take to trust again. I have read all of your posts and can tell you are truly trying everything. Just relax and it will come in time. She is lucky to have such a concerned new mom.

 

[kozykitty]

Thanks. I know it's easy to want to rush these things. I don't raise my voice but I do use a stern voice when I say "no." I sing to her constantly. She seems to enjoy that. She sings along in a monotone sort of voice that is quite amusing. I can't help but wonder if she wasn't just sort of neglected as her previous mom got too old to care for her. I also wonder if the husband who died a while ago, wasn't the one she was more bonded too as she flirts with my husband! I'm the caretaker and she calls me but she really flirts with him!

 

[kozykitty]

What would be the best way to coax her out of the cage and to get her back in? I really worry that a situation may arise requiring me to remove her and I won't be able to! Also I really would like to clean her cage. I've been removing the grate and tray every day and I have a grate brush that I use on the sides. I spritz the perches with water and use a brush on them, spraying the poopy parts with vinegar. She doesn't tend to perch on those parts.

 

[Peppo]

Have you tried a perch attached to her door from the inside? Then you can open it and if she stays on it she will be out? And may try to explore? Also, if you are afraid to get her back in wrap your forearm in a towel and put a tight fitting sleeve over it. You will be much more confident offering it to her to step up.

 

[kozykitty]

I'll try the perch on the door thing. I'll have to get a short one as her door is sort of narrow. The funny thing is she doesn't generally attack my hand. She goes for the stick was clearly angry at me for putting the stick in the cage so she nipped. The other times have been when I had her food dish which she's possessive of. She doesn't do that any more. I would think that offering her favorite treat if she gets on the door perch would help.

 

[henpecked]

Try putting a food dish on the outside. Put it low enough she can see you put things in it.

 

[MonicaMc]

Target training may be another way to work with her, especially since you can start from inside the cage and work your (and her) way out.