Held Max for the first time

Max.zilla · Feb 18, 2013

I have no idea what happened. I was sitting in the living room, Max was on top of his cage as usual, and suddenly he freaked out. He squaked and flew off his cage and landed in the living room. I jumped up to make sure he was okay, and he came up to me and stepped up on my hand!

Hes fine, I think he was startled by my husband in his motorcycle helmet outside the window. I wish Id gotten a picture but my phone was hiding...

Since Max is fine, Im pretty happy I got the opportunity to hold him. Last night I got some treats and tried to get him to step up; that ended with no stepping up and some bites on my arm.

Anyway, I got to hold him, he even sat up on my shoulder and nibbled my hair. I set him down on a chair and I was afraid he wouldnt let me pick him back up, but he stepped up first try! I didnt keep him out long, I put him back on his cage after a few minutes. Next time Ill keep him out longer.

What should I do from here? Its now apparent to me that he trusts me enough to step up without biting me, but only when hes away from his cage. If hes on his cage he is much more defensive. How do I get him away from his cage for some good quality time?

oled · Feb 18, 2013

Congrat..thats a big step forward. You dit everything perfect. You hold him and put him back on the cage where he fill safe. Just kepp on, hold him when he will and sett him back on the cage. That way he lear that he can trust you.

julya · Feb 18, 2013

Congrats on picking him up, how exciting! It sounds like you are getting to know him. I used a T stand that I made from pvc pipe to get Ollie out of his cage when he first came to my home to limit the biting.
I used the 3/4" pvc, the long part is about 8" and the two arms are about 3" long. You will need one T shaped connector piece, two caps, the pieces of pvc pipe and something to wrap it with to make it less slippery. I used a strip of fabric from an old t-shirt. but you could also use something like vet wrap. It was really easy and cheap to make, and it has been so helpful.

SandyBee · Feb 18, 2013

Keep doing what your doing, he is starting to trust you.
I also used a T-stand at first, mine is on wheels and sits right outside Bosleys cage. Bosley hates sticks of all sorts, won't step up on them and probably never will.
Keep encouraging step ups but don't force them. At first Bosley wouldn't step up at all, we got him from a sanctuary and in the 2 years they had him he would not step up period.
We had had him for almost 5 months now and he won't step up off his cage, that's his I don't want to spot. But he will off his T-stand now and getting him on his T stand is as easy as tapping it now. At first I used treats to get him on.
He now flies to me, comes on his stand when asked and a real cuddle bug, just keep building trust and bond.

Max.zilla · Feb 18, 2013

Thanks everyone.

I have some stands/perches that I try to use to get him off his cage, but hes more afraid of those than he is of strangers. Im trying treats right now, how else could I get him adjusted to not being wary of them?

SandyBee · Feb 18, 2013

Treats and toys, leave something he really wants on one and encourage him.
What does he like best.
Bosley's most favorite things are popcorn. cheese, chips(I know not the best but it worked in the beginning, doesn't get them now) and cashews.

Max.zilla · Feb 18, 2013

The only thing I can get him to work for are Ritz crackers (his previous owners gave them to him.)

Max.zilla · Feb 18, 2013

Well I went to the store and bought various yummies for Max. He liked none of them, at least not enough to step up. However when I broke out a cracker he stepped up after only a few tries

I was actually able to get him off his cage! I took him to the couch and let him finish his cracker, then he stepped onto my hand! He even let me scratch his head

Hes back at the cage now, but now I finally can get him off his cage. (Once he starts to step off on command, Im stopping the crackers; I only give him pieces now, I know its not healthy.)

Thanks everyone for your great advice!

SandyBee · Feb 18, 2013

That's so good.
I used all the treats Bosley liked at first just to create that bond. I figure a few weeks/months of limited unhealthy snacks can be made up for in the many years to come. You are starting the trust and Bond you need to progress.

As far as the other treats he will probably take them later, Bosley refused many things in the beginning, now he takes the good treats like nutriberries and enjoys them. He only likes the vegetable nutriberries though LOL

henpecked · Feb 18, 2013

What should I do from here? Its now apparent to me that he trusts me enough to step up without biting me said:
Keep doing what your doing. Only avoid the bites. How to get him away from his cage?? he's going to want to be away from his cage, hopefully with you. Keep making friends be fore long he'll want to go with you. Take your time, let him decide that he wants to go. If you ask and he acts like NO, then walk away and act like he's really missing out on a good time. Don't keep asking expecting the answer to change. Offer once and leave him wanting more interaction with you. Next thing you know, you ask and he steps up. Try and pick your battles, refrain from asking if you think he's not interested. but if he is interested , then that's the time to ask. When he's on the floor he's very scared and away from his safe spot. He's very willing to find something familar,,that's you. He'll be quick to step up so that you can return him to his safe spot (cage). gain his trust by taking him back to his cage quickly and don't try and turn it into "petting time".Just my .02 worth. PS i should have started this post by telling you that your doing a great job, congrats, before long you'll have a really great companion.

Max.zilla · Feb 18, 2013

Thank you SandyBee and henpecked!

Im really happy with this progress; my husband is starting to get annoyed with Maxs squaking, which Im sure some of it is because he wants more attention than what he gets just on his cage (I sit and talk to him, but Im sure he wants more interaction.Sometimes he leans towards me and flutters his wings, and tries to get really close to me, Im going to start using these times to get him off his cage and hold him.)

I left a couple of the new treats in his cage so maybe he will taste them and get to like them.
Hopefully he will realize how yummy they are, lol
He likes peanuts too, so Ill try those before the crackers.

Held Max for the first time

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