Tricks/Hints to get Chins out of their cage

[mishellyshel]

I try to take my boys (separately) out everyday to play for a bit. My older one who I had for three years usually will come to the front of the cage and let me scoop him up or else he will jump into my arms. Sometime I try for 15 minutes and then give up and accept that he doesnt want to come out.
My new guy (who I rescued from Craigs List) is a little more difficult. I had to use the dust bath last week but sometimes he wont come out for a couple days. I belive the previous owner allowed him to have free roam of their house, and they had a dog! I also have a collie/sheppard and I wouldnt trust her for a second with them.
So.........does anyone have any tips/tricks/hints on how to get their chin out of the cage for playtime??
And is it okay if they don't come out for a few days?? I feel so bad cause I want them to get the exercise and the social interaction with me & my son.

 

[Cola89]

Sorry i always use the dust bath, but i dont let them out every day so that why i always use the dust bath

 

[Gumby and Elmo]

is your cage very high above the ground? if not, just open the cage door, and let them come out by themselves, never force a chin to do something they don't want. My chins hate to be picked up, I just leave the door open when its playtime for them, and they'll come out when they want to, and go back when they're tired.

 

[Jill of Beans]

For us, it's just a thing on the chin's part...they have to know you and be comfortable with you. Our old chin - Gus, would come right out - and if you'd put your arm on the cage - he'd walk the length of your arm - up to your shoulder...

I kind of compare it to how I handle my birds. Daily handling gets them used you, but you have to start slow and work up to it. Gradually, maybe just sitting with the cage door open, and talking to your chin. Sometimes you can use a shredded wheat (or I'll use an apple twig) to help coax them out. Develope a routine and it'll become second nature after a while. Remember Repetition is KEY!

Good Luck!

 

[soqrbrad]

Maybe even do it on a set schedule so that they can get you involved in their daily (nightly?) routine. Even if they don't come out, just having you there will become second nature and hopefully eventually they will learn that you being there = treats, skritches, and PLAYTIME!!!

 

[mishellyshel]

My cages are kinda high to jump, so even if I put my doggie away, I would be afraid they would get hurt PLUS the "playroom" right now is the bathroom, and the living room is not so much chin proof and the little one who jumped out one went right under the couch.
I am thinking the set schedule is the way to start, which we just starting doing last month (we got Stitch at the end of December). They seem to know around 7:30 that I will have my hand in their cage either cleaning or trying to get them out!

 

[Chintastic]

I definitely have been there...
I have one older chin who I've had more time to get to know and he is really comfortable with me (he's also really laid-back and easy-going). He'll come to the front of the cage when he wants to come out and jump to my hand to get down (my guys have a cage rather high off the ground too). My little one, on the other hand, is pretty skittish (he's high-strung, hates being handled, and is naturally more jumpy) and will come to the front of the cage but won't come to my hand. So I tried taking his cardboard play tunnel and offering it to him to get into. He climbed right in so I've been using it for a while since. Now he's starting to come to me more often so I think we're making some progress, but he is always gonna be slower and more hesitant than his brother. Hope that helps and good luck! P.S.--The routine is really helpful too.

 

[LovableFuzziezandCrawliez]

You need to have A LOT of patience with a shy chinnie. I agree that a routine may help him adjust and get comfortable.

If the cage itself is in a chinnie safe room you can just leave the door open, go about fiddling in the room and let him come out on his own terms (if the cage is on the floor or if you have a ramp).

With a shy chin you can never force him to do something....it may take up to an hour for him to decide to come outside the cage.

 

[Siylvat]

Another thing to think about is the personality of the chin. I have chins that love to come out any time of day, if you are in the room, they want out. One of my chins though, is strictly a night owl. If you tried to take him out during the day, he will kack at you, and settle back in to sleep. Even in the early evening he is like this. But If I even open the doors of his cage after midnight, he is jumping into my arms.

 

[aznmexaggie]

For those that don't really like me scooping them up out of their cage, I just place the dust bath in the cage, they hop in, and then I take the dust bath out of the cage.

 

[Parka]

Well, I would second Gumby and Elmo's comment but it's not possible for them to just come out on their own right now.

I would set things up so it is possible for them to come out on their own, or use the dust bath like others have said. Honestly, if a chin doesn't want to come out of the cage, they're not going to.. and I wouldn't force them unless it's an emergency or time for a vet visit. They'll come out on their own time. The more you push, the more they dislike coming out of the cage in the first place. When I first got Victor, he wouldn't come out of the cage at all for a while. I had to resort to putting the dust bath in the cage, letting him dust in it, and then pulling it back out. He's a brat. He comes out nowadays but not every time, and he's never very pleased about it.

Overall, a dust bath has been the best incentive for mine to come out of the cage. : )