A little progress..but what now?

BarkleyLoves · Aug 8, 2012

I've made a little progress with my white-capped pionus, Pepper. Pepper loves this trail mix I made for them and will finally let me feed him without biting the you know what out of me. What is the next step? The vet told me to try and touch his feet, but that sounds a little scary. he has some nasty bites and bites and doesn't let go. I've heard of using a dowel or perch to teach them to step up, but Pepper is scared of them. Should I put it near his cage and let him get used to it? I want to repair our bond that we had and am asking what is the next step? Thanks for your help! Edited to add, the breader did not socalize him well and we made mistakes too, but Pepper has never stepped up.

MaraWentz · Aug 8, 2012

Feet? Ha ha, no. Not til trust is found and even then some birds dont like it. Try some training using treats, like target, or just luring her onto your hand. You found a fod that lets you preform miracles (petting it) so use it to your advantage.

BarkleyLoves · Aug 9, 2012

Oh he won't let me pet him yet. I'm just finally able to give him food from my hand without a nasty bite. Quite a good bit of damage for a small bird. I'll have to read up on target training then. I don't expect miracles, just him able to step up and hold him like I used to.

He seems more docile on the floor actually. Walks up to me and tries to preen my eyelashes. But getting him on the floor is the problem. Unless he flies down, you have to scoop him up with a towel.

He seems quite motivated by this food mix I made him. (Or Pepper could be a her?).

antoinette · Aug 9, 2012

Bites can be nasty.
Try letting Pepper step up onto a stick.
At first when using the stick, hold another object in your other hand, to distract him, if he tries to bite you.

MaraWentz · Aug 9, 2012

Don't let her near your face, they can take off pieces of lips and noses

BarkleyLoves · Aug 9, 2012

You're right I probably shouldn't let Pepper near my face. I'm so used to him/her preening me when we were friends. lol. I want to try the stick for pepper, but he/she's afraid of it. I don't know how to get Pepper used to it.

MaraWentz · Aug 9, 2012

I domt do stick training. I domtarget. You just put the tip of a chopstick or anything you are okay with them biting and when they touch it click and treat. It gets them used to your hands. Eventually moveyour hand farther up thestick to the point theydontcare about your hand.

BarkleyLoves · Aug 10, 2012

Thank you. I think I'll try the target training. Pepper is afraid of the step up perch. But i do have plently of chopsticks around

And Pepper seems to be motivated by mix I made, particularly the pumpkin seeds and almonds.

I just didn't know where to start. Thanks again. I'll try working on it.

One last thing, are there any good books I can pick up that might help with the training? Or should I be asking this is another section?

A little progress..but what now?

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Do malnourished birds have a heavier molt upon improvement?

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