Hey Guys,
A few months ago I posted about my Goffin Cockatoo (Jojo) suddenly becoming terrified of me. I have been working with him, but I feel like I need a little help in making progression. He's terrified to leave his cage most of the time. I will leave it open for hours (keeping distance), and he won't come out. On a rare occasion he will, but he usually goes right back in.
I am able to pet him through the cage, which he loves. (This is the hardest part for me, because he WANTS attention and affection, but is too scared to get it.) I can also stick my hand in his cage and pet him *most* of the time. I always let him come to me for pets, but sometimes as I'm moving my hand towards his head, he gets scared and runs away.
If I lay my palm flat near his perch, he will come to me and (very hesitantly) step up. Sometimes he spooks and runs away, and I cannot move my hand (up, down, in, or out of the cage), otherwise he will run.
I can't afford a t-perch at this time, which I know is the usual recommendation. But I'm wondering, since he will step up and he will let me pet him if I can't just use my hands for training. I also don't know how to progress any further at this point (ie, getting him out of the cage)
Any tips or tricks to help us would be great. I use sunflower seeds as treats when working with him.
A few months ago I posted about my Goffin Cockatoo (Jojo) suddenly becoming terrified of me. I have been working with him, but I feel like I need a little help in making progression. He's terrified to leave his cage most of the time. I will leave it open for hours (keeping distance), and he won't come out. On a rare occasion he will, but he usually goes right back in.
I am able to pet him through the cage, which he loves. (This is the hardest part for me, because he WANTS attention and affection, but is too scared to get it.) I can also stick my hand in his cage and pet him *most* of the time. I always let him come to me for pets, but sometimes as I'm moving my hand towards his head, he gets scared and runs away.
If I lay my palm flat near his perch, he will come to me and (very hesitantly) step up. Sometimes he spooks and runs away, and I cannot move my hand (up, down, in, or out of the cage), otherwise he will run.
I can't afford a t-perch at this time, which I know is the usual recommendation. But I'm wondering, since he will step up and he will let me pet him if I can't just use my hands for training. I also don't know how to progress any further at this point (ie, getting him out of the cage)
Any tips or tricks to help us would be great. I use sunflower seeds as treats when working with him.