Trust issues

kcpooh13 · Dec 27, 2011

Well we have had our Blue Crown for a month now.. he is wonderful and loving.. and oh so funny.. but he still will not step up.. you go to get him and he bites.. you have to bribe him with treats each time.. he is better for my daughter since they have bonded but she still has some issues with him. We will let him out on the bed to play in the morning.. but only if he steps up.. he loves to come up on my chest and just lay there and have me scratch and preen him.. but don't try and go under his wings or back..
I figure this is a trust issue with him.. he is now 4 months old.. but not sure how to approach it.. since if you try to make him step up he will go and hide behind his hut and do anything to avoid you.. he will come to you on his own terms... reminds me of a cat.. hehehe.
Is there any advice some of you may give that will allow me to handle him better... Thank you!
:green:

RayPember · Dec 27, 2011

I have the same issues with my conure, only he screams if I dont pet him, but he fears me so badly. But you've got it spot on with the fear, and your onto something with the treats. I've virtually given up on gaining my birds trust, but look up touch training, target training and so on, as well as power pause. If you clip his wings and build a T-stand that will really help with bonding.

roxynoodle · Dec 28, 2011

Well, I think if he lets you pet and scratch him, he's not that untrusting. Maybe he doesn't understand yet what he's supposed to go. Do you use the words, "Step up" as part of the training?

I tamed all my budgies using treats to get them to step onto my hand. I would put them between my thumb and forefinger and hold my hand flat so they had no choice but to start stepping on me to reach it. Once they trusted that the hand would hold them, they learned quickly. So I think you are on to something there. And if he gets the pets he wants when he comes out, he will learn coming out is good.

triordan · Dec 28, 2011

I would keep bribing him, eventually you can wean him off

kcpooh13 · Dec 28, 2011

Thank you... Yes we use the "step up" when we want him too.. it takes so long.. he will do anything to get around it .. from running around your hand and arm to climbing to the back of the cage.. but he will come to the front of the cage and let you scratch him and love on him.. but put your hand down and tell him to step up.. he tries to take a chunk out of your arm and finger..
My daughter says he was doing it really well for her today.. and she didn't even have to bribe him. ... so that is good.. since he is hers... he just comes to me for the deep tissue message and scratches hehehe...
such a silly baby!

Amber · Dec 29, 2011

Is it only when he is in the cage that this happens? If so, maybe try using a stick to get him out of the cage? Put in in the cage (holding one end of course!), get him to step up onto it, and remove him from the cage that way. A cage is a safe place, and some birds don't like that space being invaded. Alex (My jenday) doesn't, but he will climb down and out to me once the door is open. I never force him to leave the cage, and he is always free to return to it if he does not want to be out. It's his safe spot and he knows it. But he also knows that when I open the door and tell him to get out, that he is expected to come out.

So if this is a cage only thing, I would give the stick a shot, or let him come to you once you open the door (if he does it in a timely fashion anyway!)

roxynoodle · Dec 29, 2011

Amber said:
Is it only when he is in the cage that this happens? If so, maybe try using a stick to get him out of the cage? Put in in the cage (holding one end of course!), get him to step up onto it, and remove him from the cage that way. A cage is a safe place, and some birds don't like that space being invaded. Alex (My jenday) doesn't, but he will climb down and out to me once the door is open. I never force him to leave the cage, and he is always free to return to it if he does not want to be out. It's his safe spot and he knows it. But he also knows that when I open the door and tell him to get out, that he is expected to come out.

So if this is a cage only thing, I would give the stick a shot, or let him come to you once you open the door (if he does it in a timely fashion anyway!)

Agreed. My Nanday is cage territorial. But, she always comes out when I open the door and wait for her to climb down. Once she is on the side of the open door, she will step up without issues.

Trust issues

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