Reply With QuoteArjadaga (10-10-2010), Coral&Andrew (10-04-2010), DinoUndies (06-21-2011), DonaldLL (10-08-2010), hammco (11-03-2010), Jasir (10-11-2011)
I have noticed lots of questions about how to have your bird step up. Hopefully this will help!
Stepping Up
The step up command is the most important command to teach your bird as it gives you some control over him and helps you to interact with him. Many birds will have learned how to step up before you get them home, but if they haven’t this short guide should help you.
1. Choose the command you want to use and stick with it. It can be as simple as Step Up but it should not be a question and should be short and sharp.
2. Choose a time to train when you have the birds complete attention. You may need to go into a neutral room such as a bathroom away from the cage to begin training. Make sure there are no distractions for the bird’s attentions such as other pets, or people.
3. Hold your hand at the bird’s abdomen above the feet and give the Step Up command. The bird should step up. If he doesn’t try pressing lightly on the birds abdomen.
4. When he steps up give him lots of praise and his favourite treat. As he gets better at stepping up you can decrease the treats, but keep praising.
5. You can have him step from hand to hand to practise. But when it seems he is getting tired or losing concentration, stop at the next successful step up, give lots of praise and end the session.
6. When it seems he has mastered the step up away from the cage you can begin practising it from inside the cage.
7. Have different family members practise the step up with him
A couple of things to remember when you are teaching your bird to step up;
1. Never get cross with your bird, always be positive and ignore any unwanted behaviour
2. Keep the practise sessions short, but frequent.
3. If the bird appears to be going to bite your hand, relax, he may just be testing to make sure the perch (your hand) is stable. If he does bite, say firmly “No biting!” but keep your hand steady. Use a perch as a last resort.
4. If he doesn’t seem to want to step up, or understand what you are expecting him to do a gentle push on his belly will help him to make the step. When he steps up, remember lots of praise and treats in the early stages!
5. And lastly remember if a step up always results in a negative outcome such as being returned to the cage, your bird may start refusing to step up. Keep stepping up fun!
Arjadaga (10-10-2010), Coral&Andrew (10-04-2010), DinoUndies (06-21-2011), DonaldLL (10-08-2010), hammco (11-03-2010), Jasir (10-11-2011)
Siobhan great post,perhaps you should make this a sticky in the training room
i guys,
I was reading in a book the other day, that if your grey is above you when you ask the step up command, he thinks he has control over you, but if your above him your in control over him! Is that right or is it wrong? I,m confused because charlie will not step up if i'm below him but he will if i'm above him, so that way works for me, but is it the wrong way or the right way bacause i don't want him to be afraid of me. Please help.
Hi Julie,
The issue of height is one that is debated for and against. I am sure DanMcQ wont mind if I copy an excellent post he made a short while ago on this very topic.
DanMcQ wrote:
http://www.mawebcenters.com/soarings...Dominance.htmlThe suggestion that Height = Dominance in the avian community, has been proven wrong over and over. It is a common misconception that keeps rearing it's head by persons assuming it is a fact .... it is not.
If you have problems getting any bird down from the top of a cage or your shoulder. It is not dominance it is displaying, but is the message that he/she does not want to come down or step up or be moved.
They are simply expressing their "Thoughts" and "Desires". They use their beaks in the wild to communicate effectively with one another all day long, accompanied by body language. The real root of the problem is either the owner has not learned to read that language or is struggling with a re-homed bird that has issues and they must understand that type of behaviour is normal as the bird is expressing it's desire. If it is not neccessary to have compliance, respect the birds wish. If it is required, then follow through using all the various techniques to move the bird to where you wish to take it.
It is the natural response of any "Critter" or "Avian Species" to let whatever creature is desiring some type of an action from them, to signal by body language or vocalization that they do not intend to comply. It does not matter if they are on the ground, mid -level, eye level or higher. They will respond in the only way they know how to indicate they do not wish to perform that request.
If you are trying train your bird to step-up for example and you know he will fly or run from you. The more remote the "Place" the bird is at, the easier it is for them to not comply and flee. It has nothing to do with dominance. It has everything to do, with that bird expressing their desire for you to leave them be.
A supporting study/article on the subject of Height = Dominance written by S.G. Friedman, PhD, Utah, and Bobbi Brinker, Ohio, is available at this link, if you would like to read it:
(edited because the link wasnt showing.)<br><br>Post edited by: siobha9, at: 2008/09/18 20:37
My rescued CAG and he is so scared of hands that I can't even begin to train him. Even when he's scared and landed on the floor, he will only step up long enough to flap to somewhere else.
Anyone have any suggestions for sticks (which he flies away from) and hand training? I have many years exp. with rescues, and this little guy is just not making progress. He is very cute and interactive, and if he never learns to step-up, that will not be the end of the world......
Thanks for any suggestions: email me @ music.luvr@comcast.net
How long have you had him? I have the same problem with my TAG. He is 6 years old and was a breeding bird, not much handled. He will step up on a stick from the floor but doesn´t always stay for long. I´ve got him to step from the stick to my hand. He is really afraid and growls if I get to close but he has gotten better. I´ve changed my tactics and the only thing I do now is talk to him, I´m working on getting him to trust me. He didn´t get out of his cage at first but he is starting to do it. I think you just have to give your bird some time.
I would really like to hear how things are going with your bird because I don´t know anyone else that is in a similar situation to me.
Hi peeps
It may be a really STUPID question, but how can you train them away from the cage if they won't allow you to take them away to another room? My CAG will step up onto my hubby's hand (without a command), but he freaks if he is taken out of the range of sight of his cage... and as for anyone else if they get near him he just lunges beak first.....
At 6 years old, you CAG knows the step up command and is doing so for your husband. Since he is a rehome, the only place he feels safe at presently is his cage. Trying to take him out of the line of sight of his "Refuge" is something he is not yet really to readily accept.
He has only been there 3 weeks or so. Give him time, lots of love and let him broaden his safety zone in his own time. :-)
Within all of us is a varying amount of space lint and star dust, the residue from our creation. Most are too busy to notice it, and it is stronger in some than others. It is strongest in those of us who fly and is responsible for an unconscious, subtle desire to slip into some wings and try for the elusive boundaries of our origin. ~K.O. Eckland, "Footprints On Clouds"
Dayo in flight....
guy,i need help in here!!! my CAG(bonek) is 3 years old i just had him 3 days a go...the problem is he always bite me every time i want touch him???but not with my wife. if my wife call him bonek he always come!!! so what a should do,...so he not bite me???thanks
thanks
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