Questioning What the Doctor Ordered

[Gigglemug]

So last week I took Mickey to the vet, and one of the things that the Doctor said to do was to get him out of the cage, forcefully if I have to, and set him in a corner of my room with me so he can get used to me. Does this kind of thing work and will it ruin the bond I have with Mickey? He does need to get out of his cage, but he refuses to come out of it even if I leave it open from dusk to dawn. He's not made any progress with target training and has overall regressed since the first vet visit, so I'd like to know what I could do in this situation to get him to come out, and also know if what the doctor recommended me to do would be ethical or the right thing.

 

[Dragonfly6]

So last week I took Mickey to the vet, and one of the things that the Doctor said to do was to get him out of the cage, forcefully if I have to, and set him in a corner of my room with me so he can get used to me. Does this kind of thing work and will it ruin the bond I have with Mickey? He does need to get out of his cage, but he refuses to come out of it even if I leave it open from dusk to dawn. He's not made any progress with target training and has overall regressed since the first vet visit, so I'd like to know what I could do in this situation to get him to come out, and also know if what the doctor recommended me to do would be ethical or the right thing.

That's unfortunately some very poor advice. Forcing a bird out of their safe space to interact never ends well, and just creates fear and more stress. Going at Mickey's own pace and letting him make choices will empower him to gain confidence.

This video may help:

 

[sunnysmom]

I believe it's out dated advice. I would instead try to encourage him to come out on his own. You can try target training with him or also putting a perch just outside of his cage door and hanging some millet or other treat that he likes by it to get him to come out by himself.

 

[Shezbug]

Bad outdated advice. It’s an old technique called flooding.

 

[HelenVanessaDavies]

I agree with everyone else, very outdated advice and it was scientifically found that positive experiences and reinforcement made for better more trusting relationships compared to the floodings and forcing interactions approach