Monitor Training

[Gungirl]

I never suggested to lock them in a box now did I ? I have no problems with people letting them roam for short periods of time outside of the cage. I do have a problem wrapping my head around the idea of prolonged time out of the proper environment. If the cage was set up and maintained properly exercise and mental stimulation can both be achieved inside the cage.

The thing is people take an animal that needs a lot of room and places them in a small space.. give it a bigger proper viv and you will solve many of these issues. I do not keep this type of animal and never will. I would not want to give it less than a 20'x20' building. I know I am a bit extreme on the size and some people will say they never need that much room but I also wouldn't keep a horse unless I could give it several acres to run on where as some people keep them on a 1/4 acre..

[Pirarucu]

Originally Posted by Gungirl

I never suggested to lock them in a box now did I ? I have no problems with people letting them roam for short periods of time outside of the cage. I do have a problem wrapping my head around the idea of prolonged time out of the proper environment. If the cage was set up and maintained properly exercise and mental stimulation can both be achieved inside the cage.

The thing is people take an animal that needs a lot of room and places them in a small space.. give it a bigger proper viv and you will solve many of these issues. I do not keep this type of animal and never will. I would not want to give it less than a 20'x20' building. I know I am a bit extreme on the size and some people will say they never need that much room but I also wouldn't keep a horse unless I could give it several acres to run on where as some people keep them on a 1/4 acre..

I'm just saying as long as they can choose to return to the cage when they want, and aren't shut out, I don't see a problem. I know they will remember where it is, they are plenty smart enough for that. I know an instance where a friend's croc monitor got out of its cage and very nearly escaped through an open window upstairs before being caught. It was put on a six month lockdown in its cage, and the instant the owner let it out, it made straight for the same upstairs window.
As far as cage size, I'm with you. I like giving animals as much space as they will use. With monitors, that means every inch they're given.

[dinosaurdammit]

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

I'm just saying as long as they can choose to return to the cage when they want, and aren't shut out, I don't see a problem. I know they will remember where it is, they are plenty smart enough for that. I know an instance where a friend's croc monitor got out of its cage and very nearly escaped through an open window upstairs before being caught. It was put on a six month lockdown in its cage, and the instant the owner let it out, it made straight for the same upstairs window.
As far as cage size, I'm with you. I like giving animals as much space as they will use. With monitors, that means every inch they're given.

when he is done he goes back and opens his door and just goes in and i lock the door- he lets me know when he wants out but his free roam is limited to one hour and the "tricks" are enrichment for him, he seems to get something out of it.

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by Gungirl

I never suggested to lock them in a box now did I ? I have no problems with people letting them roam for short periods of time outside of the cage. I do have a problem wrapping my head around the idea of prolonged time out of the proper environment. If the cage was set up and maintained properly exercise and mental stimulation can both be achieved inside the cage.

The thing is people take an animal that needs a lot of room and places them in a small space.. give it a bigger proper viv and you will solve many of these issues. I do not keep this type of animal and never will. I would not want to give it less than a 20'x20' building. I know I am a bit extreme on the size and some people will say they never need that much room but I also wouldn't keep a horse unless I could give it several acres to run on where as some people keep them on a 1/4 acre..

I really like the way you think.

Every passing day I find myself feeling guilty for confining Littlefoot and Cera in that 8x4x4 and if it kills me, they will have much, much more as soon as I sort out some details.

Now as far as letting them out, intervals of an hour or two every few days or so is not really going to shave off any lifespan, It's 24/7 poor husbandry that kills.