Compainion Bird trianing question?

Question

Sarabie, my 3 year old cockatiel, a very nice one(He can draw blood if he's trying to defend soemthing)
And, I am trying to train him. I ahven't even thought him the Step-Up command.
I will put my hand and nudge to his cest, but he thinks I want to rub his neck...
He'll jsut stand there with his head down, not movving as if he's dead; jsut waiting for me to pet him. Is there any way I can stop him from doing this?

For the person who called me a whimp, I tried it again....He still isn't lsitening to me...I've even pushed him that he has backed up into the wall...I've got him to step up about 3/30 times...I've praised him...He dosen't seem to liek sunflower seeds thou...

Answer 1

Complete the "step up" command.
It should be one continuous motion. Don't stop when he puts his head down. Say "step up" move your hand toward his chest. With one smooth motion, gently push him off balance a little, then scoop up with your hand so that he is suddenly off of what he was standing on. He has to right himself and the only thing to hold onto is you. Now he is sitting on your hand and the "step up" is complete. He will flap around and may scold a little, that's just part of learning. Praise like crazy, give him a treat. Say "good (use his name), good step up"
Soon, saying "step up" will get him directly on your hand, no flapping around or scolding.
HINT: Start with your hand in a slightly elevated position, let him see you coming. Remember, birds can't see down by their feet unless they tilt their heads, you gotta start within his eyesight, or he might not even see your hand.
HINT #2: I think you may have taught him that "step up" means "I want to pet your head" by accident. It may take a little longer to re-train him, be patient.
Good Luck

Answer 2

I had the same problem with mine. Don't be discouraged!
I have 2 suggestions:

First, if you are trying to teach this while he's in his cage, don't. For stubborn or confused birds it is best to take them to a neutral location to teach this command. Get him out of his cage and put him on the floor. (most birds do not like being on the floor and will be anxious to get 'up' off of the floor. If he's in a secure place and might get a scritch or two out of you, what's his motivation?)

Second, I ended up using a perch to teach the command, then graduated to my hand. He's not going to be asking a stick to scratch his head. Sticks are for perching. Teach him to "step up" onto a perch first, then gradually introduce your hand as a perching surface.

I am assuming that he is not flighted. You will have better success if he has to rely on you for transportation. If you feel strongly about letting him fly, you can always let his flight feathers grow in later after he has learned this command.

Good Luck! (and try small pieces of unsalted, unbuttered popcorn for treats- always a big hit!)

Answer 3

Here's what you do:
Put him on your finger. Then push the finger of your other hand across his chest and say "UP" push until he can either lean backwards or step up, they usually choose to step up. Getting him to understand what you are asking is the difficulty. Do this over and over again, telling him each time, "GOOD BIRD !" Once he has no problem going from finger to finger he will understand what you are asking of him when he's on his perch.

Answer 4

if all else fails try getting him to step up using a treat. Something he wants really badly. Mine loved spray millet. Hold the millet far enough away so that he has to step up onto your hand to get some. Let him have a little bit then put him back and repeat. I bet soon you'll have him begging to jump onto your finger.

Answer 5

The simple answer is quit petting him. Another way is just rub the top of his head gently. A tip;never put a mirror in his cage,because they will pay less atention to you.I know because thats what happened to mine.Cockatiels are great birds.mines name was Charly. One other hint keep his flight feathers trimmed. It my seem cruel,but it's safer for the bird

Answer 6

Try ro distract him by waving your opposite hand. When he loks away, push you finger towards him. He'll naturally put one foot up, lift that hand which throws him off balance and he reaches for your finger perch with the other foot as well. Then tell him he's a good boy and scratch his head.

Answer 7

Nudge a little harder, as if you were going to push him off his roost if he didn't step up. Make it so he doesn't have a choice. YOU WIMP! LOL

Answer 8

He wants to bond with you. Mine does the same and he loves to be petted. He sounds so sweet and very smart.