Help Training to Step Up

I am currently looking to take home a 1 1/2 year old Timneh African Grey Parrot.l Hes had a crappy home and the local pet store bought him and has been giving him a nice home. He hasnt had any training and is slowly becoming more socialized thanks to the pet store. I dont believe he was physically abused just put away in a corner most likely hes seems healthy just a bit slow in warming up to people. I've been making great progress and learning so much teh last week. I've only succeeded in showing my a scratching motion with my hand and getting him to bow is head and let me scratch behind his head and around his eyes. He loves it under his chin, for a treat. I try to bring him healthy snacks that he wont get at the store. One day we worked on step up for a while and he was doing great but i still got nipped a few times. since then he has much more gently refused to step up but never the less it was a firm no. I know he will do what he wants when he wants just dont want to form any bad habits on my part. Is it kind of liek a dog don't give him a command if your pretty certain he wont do it or is it ok to go ahead and give a try when you feel like it? Thank you so much for teh help having a great time on here reading all the info.

Thanks for working with this grey, they are wonderful. I see only positive signs that this one will soon step up. Watch his body language, read up on the grey forum on getting to know the signs of impending bites. Greys are generally shy so socialization is very important. This one is still young enough to rehabilitate rather easily IMO. Please keep us posted!

Had A great visit with Timneh today which is what they were calling him at the pet store. Just to give you an idea of how neglected he/or she actually was; didn't even have a name yet. I'm still trying to get better at a visual confirmation of teh sex the feathers are not very bright in color. I swear she saw me looking and pooped just for my viewing pleasure. She seems to know Timneh is her name so I haven't changed it but they said I can and they would call her whatever I chose. We were whistling to each other in teh store today while I was out of sight. I spoke to a woman in front of Timneh for about 25 minutes and I think she was getting jealous started climbing all over lowering her head so I would give her some good scratches on her head and neck. I've been holding my hands on her perch next to her and just talking and she seems to be getting much more used to them. I'll make her lean over my hand to get a treat. I bought her a cool little bird toy/ball and she had a great time then she dropped it. Saw me run over to get it and promptly threw it as far as she could in the other direction, then back to the other way. Then sadly I had to go to get ready for work. lol I have fallen in love with this little guy and any little extra affection I win each day is so great.

It sounds like its going very well! Its also possible that the store was given this bird by someone other than the actual owner and they just didnt know her name; the owner couldve encountered health problems or something like that. It seems like she was somewhat taken care of because most parrots in general that are breeders or wild caught are very hard to even go near as they want to bite the life out of you to protect themselves. She seems well on her way to bonding with you, which for a grey is pretty quick from what Ive seen. Keep it up in this direction and let us know!

Congratulations!

I am so jealous... nawwww, I'm happy for ya! Your bird is already better-behaved and more cooperative than mine!

You will create a bond before you take her home and when you leave her and the store each visit expect to see signs of her bonding. They will start to act like they are digging or burrowing in the corner of the cage. It's a release b/c they don't want you to leave. My Perjo did this for 3 weeks when I was visiting her at the breeders.

When I would first walk in the door each visit I would put out a signature whistle and she would IMMEDIATELY respond loud and clear, they know when you're there.

I trust the owners of this store thank goodness. They bought back the first bird from this owner and they didn't know before they had bought back the first bird,they had already ordered the african grey a pretty demanding bird. Then a little over a year they bought Timneh back from them. Not sure exactly what happened seems healthy but shes been at the store for a couple of months. I've been watching the droppings, feathers, eyes, and beak.

Thank you everyone having so much fun and am very excited. You all allow me to release my energy, so everyone else around me doesnt get to sick of hearing me spout stories and facts I've learned. I was telling my friend all about the droppings as she is possibly thinking of getting a bird. l She says to me you know too much about their poo. I was trying to explani the importance of watching to see for any changes and how to read em. Guess it was a little too early for such detail. Thanks everyone lol

Hahahaha! I know what you mean about releasing your "parrot energy" here on the forum rather than around all the non-bird people around you. ROTFL! But don't worry, WE get it!

As for your step-up question, here are 2 great links to threads with great advice and videos on how to do it:
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/57538-not-stepping-up-doesn-t-understand-stepping-up.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/48810-need-help-step-up-training.html#post435993

Playing Ball

I'm the one fetching in this game

Nice Picture.. good looking bird!!

Some amazing news. I'm going to be taking Timneh home Monday evening.I'm so excited sleeping will be difficult

Awesome!!! Looking forward to hearing how the transfer goes tonight!!

Very exciting stuff!



I've had my grey for about a year. He comes from a past tgat sounds ver simllar to Timneh's. He still hasn't stepped up, but, thanks to your story, I'm going to put more time into it again. Best of luck to Timneh and Buddy!!


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My Timneh Smokey,was 27 when she flew off to Rainbow Bridge :17:. She was a wild caught and about six months old when she came home with me.
Even though she never really became a "hands on" type..I think she hated hands due to the fact some one probably snatched her from her home with gloves,but would,on occasion,step up,if it was the last resort.

She however loved shoulders..If I was able to get her on my hand she would immediately run up my arm to my shoulder,and stay there for hours,gurggling in my ear,nibbling at it,pulling my hair,banging her beaky on my for head,or trying to take my glasses off my face

She was sweet,loving in her own way,SMART,sassy,STUBBORN,independant,playful.....sighhh...gosh I miss her..:15:

You LOVE Timneh..looks like you are already making great progress.


Jim

Thank you soo much Timneh actually loves to be scratched around her neck and chin. She has trust issues with my hands still I think.l Today we tried to step up and she rather step off the back of her perch. She grabbed hold of my finger to catch her self and didn't even break the skin I was impressed by her gentleness. If she bites too hard I just give her a little time out and I walk away from her perch. Seems to do the trick so far. Last week she would of happily torn a chunk out of my hand instead of retreating.

An amazing first night. She got scared of my transporting bag that I bought for her. She clung to her cage for dear life it was a bit stressful for me as I watched so i Know it was stressful for her. She came out to me great but when I went to put her on the perch in the carry bag she leaped to the outside of her cage. Got her home set up her cage and put her in about an hour of chilling and eating she was ready to come out and play I couldnt' believe it. She watched Happy Gilmore with me sitting on my hand almost the whole time getting scratched and petted. I was so nervous picking her up I was shaking by the time I left.

Checking out the new pad

That is wonderful Billdore, keep up the good work with her. She is absolutely beautiful!