Catching your Degus on the loose...

[flibbertigibbety]

The first few times my little ones got out of the cage, I had quite a bit of trouble catching them. Tried those humane mouse traps, but they were too smart for them. tried treats, but they just wanna grab and go somewhere to eat them. I never wanted to "grab them" and have them become frightened. Then I discovered that they'll both ALWAYS be up for a nice dust bath, even when they're going on their little adventure... and that's become my absolute perfect solution. no chasing, no fear. I put it where they're wanting to go, and they hop right into the nice large bowl and roll around having a blast. Then I bring the bowl to the cage and let them go back in when they're good and ready. works 100% of the time for my goos, and they stay happy and trusting.

So what is it that you've all managed to use to corral your goos when they're on the loose and don't wanna go home? 

[savvy]

I bet they loved their little adventure!

When two of mine escaped, it took 45mins to catch the first one and 3 hours to catch the second. I've tube trained all my degus using a plastic spaghetti jar and treats.

The biggest problem was finding where the last free range degu was hiding, I've got lots of bookcases, so lots of hidy holes. I ended up blocking off where I knew she wasn't until I found where she was, then slowly reduced her space until she was contained enough to go in the tube.

[laiyah]

It kind of depends on how the degus got on the loose for me. Either way, it usually involves me slowly blocking the "escape points" and showing the tube to the degu. They would only go in once they realize it's "over".

If they had had their free range and enough fun/exercice, usually a treat they love and slowly directing them to the cage is enough. ^^;

[teemu]

Like Iaiyah says, a treat is a good way to gently get them back home. I train all my cage animals to recognize a certain sound cue, like shaking a box of treats or wrinkling a bag, so that they'll know it's treats the second they hear that noise. Since most degus are so absolutely food-minded, it's really easy for me to get them to come back when I just sit on the floor and take the seed box out.

I either let them climb in the seed box and carry them home, or wait until they're comfortably sitting on my knee before scooping them up. At this point it almost feels like they're mostly escaping so that they can get some bribes.

[laiyah]

I AGREE. Only one of my degus escapes. Depending on her motivation, it can be tedious but sometimes, really, it's the treat...

I feel bad for the sister so I usually reward her with the treat too. Haha...