Alfie's three strikes and you're out policy

[pearllyn]

I just thought I'd share this as it seems to be very effective with Alfi - she knows exactly what it means.
When Alfi is doing something she shouldn't be, like chewing the couch or pinching pens I give her three chances to stop and if she doesn't she goes into her cage for a wee timeout. The first time, I remove her from say the desk (with a verbal warning) and put her back on her perch, the second time, I remove her (again with a verbal warning) and take her on an open hand, towards her cage - obviously she flies off and usually goes straight back to her perch. On the third offence I take hold of her and put her in her cage. I don't often get to the length of the cage now with her, so she's def getting the message - it seems to be quite effective.

Hope you and yours are all well.

Lyn & Alfi

xx

[JillyBeanz]

What a great idea Lyn - how long do you keep her in her cage? I was reading different views on this on another forum and it was a general consensus that only a few minutes should be "time out". Personally, I leave him there for a good 10 minutes - for his own safety too - before I throttle him! :laugh:

[Debandbella]

I used to try warning Bella but she never learnt although she has learnt that a nasty nip now means immediate time out! I can see the look of regret on her face the instant shes done it! :unsure:

[luvparrots]

Sounds great Lyn, might give it a try with my little stinker!!!

[pearllyn]

Jill, for misdemeanors she get's around 4 minutes in her own cage. For malicioius bites only she does hard time (ten minutes) in her travel cage with no toys, but I don't use the three strikes policy for bites - it's straight to the slammer!! I'm glad to say though I don't have to do that very often - nasty bites are fewer and fewer - she makes a funny clicking sound when I think she wants to bite but is resisting!
Janet, it was a bit of a pain to start with - up and down every two minutes but we were consistant and she's catching on really quick and it's been worth perservering.
Deb how long did Bella take to figure that out? I'm amazed how quickly Alfie can learn the stuff she wants to learn!!

[pearllyn]

Just a wee update on the three strikes policy - it's so effective Alfie has learnt to take herself off to her cage herself when she has misbehaved! I'm not sure if it's entirely a good thing, she might consider it a game, we'll see!
It started with her going and sitting on top of her cage after biting chunks out of the couch, I'd give her the warning , then go to remove her to her cage but she'd just go herself and sit on top. She can do what she likes in (or on) her cage and I never tell her to shush or anything, so when she's in "that" mood off she goes to take it out on her cage. But this morning she was being particularly mischevious and I wasn't paying attention as I was hoovering, she swooped in and pulled my hair and before I could get my "by gum!" out, she had actually put herself into her cage! She didn't close the door, but maybe that'll come!!:laugh:

[JillyBeanz]

:laugh: What's she like! Oh I wish for that day.....! Then again, for the amount of times that Harvey is naughty he will become a cage-bound parrot! If he doesn't stop biting me, I might take myself off to his cage!

Thanks for the update - you fill me with hope

[pearllyn]

JillyBeanz wrote:

:laugh:
Thanks for the update - you fill me with hope

Think positive Jill - the day will come. Who knows, if you can fit a beanbag in there, you might even be quite comfy!! :woohoo:

[judygram]

Alfie knew she had done wrong, what a smart grey you have there Lyn, no doubt chuckling to herself at how clever she is to beat you to the punch, thanks for sharing that with us.:lol:

[luvparrots]

That is just too funny Lyn!!!! Alfie is such a smart and witty little grey! I enjoy hearing about her.