Soft Release Question

[JFo]

I posted a few days ago about my girl spontaneously turning into a mean butt. Since then I haven’t pushed her, I just sit in the floor when she’s out and let her do her thing. She is back to letting me put her plate in the cage. She doesn’t come after me but she does squeak occasionally.

My question now is about release. I opened the sliding glass door that her cage sits in front of. I planned to move her cage out when there is somebody available to help me move it. Anyways, she went nuts. She shot from one corner of the cage to the other, top to bottom side to side. She was completely freaking out. Watching her breathing I thought she was going to have a heart attack. Is this typical behavior when her cage is actually moved outside? I know it’s all new to her out there, although I do open the windows in that room frequently so she hears the sounds and maybe gets some of the smells. If this behavior is normal, how long does that last?

[SammysMom]

Be sure she has a hiding place in the cage so she doesn't feel exposed. Fear is normal and in reality it is what keeps them alive in the wild.

[JFo]

Be sure she has a hiding place in the cage so she doesn't feel exposed. Fear is normal and in reality it is what keeps them alive in the wild.

She did shoot into her bed just once during the time the door was open. Thank you for the quick reply. With a lot of help from this forum we’ve gotten her this far. I just want to be sure we get these last two phases right.

[HRT4SQRLS]

You might want to throw a blanket or fleece throw over the top of the cage and draped on one or two sides. I find that makes them feel more secure. That gives them a dark ‘hidey’ spot at the top.

[JFo]

You might want to throw a blanket or fleece throw over the top of the cage and draped on one or two sides. I find that makes them feel more secure. That gives them a dark ‘hidey’ spot at the top.

Sounds like a good idea. Going to put that on the to do list. Thanks!