Differentiated step up commands - bad idea?

Something I struggle with is finding the one between letting Parker decide if he wants to come step up or just want to be alone. However, im finding that it can have detrimental effects on the step up command. He decides a few too many times that he wants to be alone and "step up" begins to lose its power.

Parker does have some semblance of what "come here" means, he says it all the time when we're out of the room. So I've started using "come here" when I want him to have a choice of stepping up, and "step up" means he has no choice and will obey.

Am I shooting myself in the foot doing it like this? I've just gotten a little frustrated that over the last few times I've had to work a bit harder at making him come to me when I want him to come.

In theory it should work but sometimes tone/inflection is the better approach. Ive used different commands in training our dog and she knows who she has to obey, and when. Admittedly, we're pretty lax about things, she's a great dog who almost never needs correction. When it's "last call" at night, she absolutely wont leave the house unless there is a treat involved. This is her training us. She knows the drill, she knows she needs to go---but she wants the game of being lured out with a treat. We allow it. What we DO train her to is that when we use a specific tone, she MUST obey. Its mostly for her safety, though she doesnt realize that. IE: rattlesnake nearby, approaching car, etc...any emergency situation where time is of the essence. My husband does a tap tap on the side of his leg that she responds to immediately---she knows that as "come here--I have a treat for you"...conditional in her mind, but just as effective. Our normal "come" command is to say the word strongly (not an ask or request) and we follow it up with a hand signal. Trainers vary in their approaches but we use both verbal and hand signal--our previous dog was deaf for the last 3 years of her life which we didnt realize for a very long time because she was responding to the hand signals. Any dog training class is usually about training the people, not the dog.While our shepherd is super smart, I have the feeling that the fids will put her to shame over time. You can use two different commands for the same response--Parker is smart enough to know the difference, just make sure YOU are effectively communicating that difference.

Sounds like it should work Chris. worst case scenario I still use a treat. Lately, just opening the fridge get's him to come which is hilarious. I've also noticed that he doesn't like to step up off of certain branches and if I give him a second he'll move to the branch he wants to step off of.

Make sure he understands the difference between the two. The "step up" command should result in a significant treat almost every time, the "come here" command should yield no reward - emphasising the fact that it is indeed his choice.

I have the same thing with Plum but on the whole am relaxed about it. I do fully appreciate your dilemma though. Plum will sometimes just completely ignore my hand and/or command but we do not always want to do what we are told, do we? Difficult one.

If it is imperative that he steps up then I have a very stern vocal tone that he recognises and he will oblige when used. Be interested in how you get on with Parker.

Ps I didnt get a greeting this morning until lunchtime, freedom of choice is important I feel.

Just seeing this, Chris.

I think that your approach should work, especially if modified in the way Mekaisto laid out. But yes, there is definitely the potential for some initial confusion... especially if he's already giving you a bit of a hard time with stepping up as is.

How I approach it is to treat "step up" as a command, period. If ever there is an emergency, I can't have any hesitation or confusion on that score. Now, that said, reading his body language should factor in as well. Within seconds of your approach, it should be clear as glass if he's in the mood to come hang out with you at that moment. If his body language indicates a need for alone time, and the current circumstances allow for it, I'd say respect what he's telling you.

I've been fortunate in that none of the birds I've ever had have had much of a desire for alone time. Usually the opposite, in fact. They'll tolerate alone time if I indicate that I just can't have them on me at the time. Buuuuuuut, Maya in particular does get to the point where she's tired and is ready for bed. When that happens she will still readily step up, but she will lean her body toward the cage, then lightly beak my thumb, and lean toward the cage again. So she has satisfied the step up requirement, but is communicating to me her wishes.

The fact that I acknowledge her feelings and do as she asks unless it is absolutely necessary that I do otherwise gives her a sense of comfort and security. She trusts me enough to step up, because she knows that I respect how she feels. She understands that stepping up does not lead to an immediate loss of free will. You know what I mean?

Any updates, Chris? What did you ultimately decide?

Sorry, not super up to date here. Got back a couple days ago from a week long vacation in New England.

I've sort of implemented this, though I'll admit half heartedly. I've seen some results though. Step up is a tad bit more consistent.

What I'm also noticing is I need to be careful in what I do immediately after I say "step up". If I don't get an almost immediate response I go for the feet to force the issue. He's not bothered by this at all. But I don't need him thinking "step up" means I'm lifting his feet to pick him up. Delicate balance between enforcing a command and creating a completely different meaning for a command.

Make the step up command yield a bigger reward to start (can always be lessened later)
Make it so he WANTS to step up to reach that treat! Eventually he'll step up much easier