A Little Help with Stepping Up..?

[Stevetomobs]

I really didn’t think I’d be asking with help for this, I know what to do and all, but I think R.R needs a bit more of a push.

No, he’s not biting or flying away in fear, that’s actually the problem!

He is actually too used to my hands and such, he probably just thinks me putting my finger to his stomach is my idea of fun.

And again, later on I have to try to teach all of this to Sherbert aswell, poor little girl still can’t fly that well.

I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for this type of this, maybe I’m being too soft? Maybe I should move my finger just a tad farther?


I don’t really know, I can only hope someone can give me a little advice of this please? Sorry if this is a dumb post...

 

[Just-passn-thru]

Try tapping his chest a little while saying
" Step-up" consistency is key, may take a few days for him to get it! Make a big deal out of it when he gets it right.

 

[Fergus Mom]

Would holding a cluster of millet just beyond your step-up finger work?

 

[Shinobi]

I have taught Henry to step up and down from both inside and outside the cage. while people feel that's it's good to allow their birds free-range within their home, I personally like to be able to get Henry in and out of his cage when needed and without causing any stress to Henry. I used a clicker and treating treats to achieve this.

I would put Henry on his T-stand and gave him a treating treats and click the clicker. This indicates that training has started.
Then in my right hand I held the clicker and the treating treats. The set up was the clicker in the palm with my middle finger on the button and the treating treats held between my thumb and index finger.

With my left hand I made a pistol, so my finger was parallel to the T-stand and about 3 cm away. Then I would bring my right hand up behind my left hand and show Henry the treating treat and say, "step up". if after 15 to 20 seconds Henry hadn't stepped up onto my left hand I would remove the treating treat from his sight.

Wait 20 seconds and reshow thetreating treat. When Henry stepped up onto my left hand and took the treating treat I would click the clicker at the same time.

Then to teach him to step down, with henry still on my left hand I would bring it parallel to the T-stand and about 3 cm away. Then with a treating treat in my right again, I would bring my right hand up, So the T-stand is between my left and right hands.

show Henry the treating treat and say, "step down". if after 15 to 20 seconds Henry hadn't stepped down onto the T-stand I would remove the treating treat from his sight.
Wait 20 seconds and reshow the treating treat. When Henry stepped down from my left hand, onto the T-stand and took the treating treats I would click the clicker at the same time.

 

[vanyasmom]

You might try also putting your finger at perch level, so it is an easier step. Vanya does not officially "step up" - he gets on my hand, on the wider part, (I hold my hand sideways) We are doing it more as a come here to me. Okay, go back. He likes to get on my hand. He has learned that he can jackpot himself sometimes that way. (not that I am recommending that)

He actually started getting on my hand as a side effect of clicker training with a chopstick and I used my hand as something he had to go past.

I am only sharing what helped my budgie to get on my hand. Barbara Heidenreich? in one of her videos said that having the finger (or whatever you are using as a perch to step onto) closer to the level he is on makes it easier than having to really step high to get up there. Not that he can't or won't, but easier to learn.

Shinobi is right - a clicker and treats work wonders. Especially MILLET as FergusMom said.

Also, if using millet as a treat - only let it come from you. You are the source of all that is WONDERFUL in his world. Just a reminder.

 

[JLcribber]

You're right. He's not scared. He does not want to step up. That's a bird exercising his free will. I just accept it and don't push the issue unless the have to step up for some reason.

Sometimes they do need a little persuasion. A little tap on the tail feathers with the other hand should make him jump. He's not scared. No reaction is the same as the word no.

 

[JLcribber]

I never use fingers/hands to step up. They're predatory in nature. I always offer anything else (elbow. Forearm. Shoulder. Just not the hand)

 

[Shinobi]

The advice I can give is
1 move slowly around the bird
2 let the bird come to you.
3 Don't force the bird to do anything that it doesn't want to do.
4 make the trust building and bonding sessions (training) fun
5 end all training sessions on a positive.
6 patience.

Remember food is a great motivator.
You need to earn your bird's friendship and respect, not force it. Of course, each bird is different and how it's been handle and socialised depends on how it acts with humans. I believe that the more you interact with your bird, the more it builds trust and respect. That must be earned, and to earn this, you need to give time through interactions.

We handle and interact with Henry every day and believe that this also opens his personality.

 

[Monica]

Please do not force a bird to step up. This could result in avoidance behaviors.


Step up training should look something like this....

1. Reward your bird for looking at you.
2. Reward your bird for moving his head towards you.
3. Reward your bird for taking a step towards you.
4. Reward your bird for taking another step towards you.
5. If he doesn't run away, keep rewarding him for remaining where he's at. (if he runs/backs off, you may need to start over again)
6. Reward your bird for taking a couple more steps closer.
7. Encourage him to come closer yet again and reward him.
8. Reward your bird for touching you with his toe(s).
9. Reward your bird for putting a foot on you.
10. *JACKPOT REWARD* Give your bird lots of goodies for putting both feet on you!