Training is moving along just fine, BUT

We will be getting along just fine, he will performs the tricks for clicks and treats, will step up when he feels like it, but whenever I try to get him to step up to go back into the cage he tries to bite me?

I'm trying to figure out what the reason behind this is, anyone have any idea?

He doesn't want to go back in and you are being predictable about the pattern, so he knows that a step-up attempt while out means going back in for a long period..maybe?

I keep ignoring him for a little bit, stopped rewarding him, but yah, doesn't seem to want to go back into the cage.

Try to open the cage and let him come and go as he pleases without doing anything novel-- DO pull out all of the stops that you normally would use to get him in, but don't shut the door. Why do people play slot machines? Because they never know when they might win--- you have to make your bird feel that going in is worth it, because they will likely still be able to come out (and will get whatever they wanted inside).


Make sure you randomly pick him up and then DON'T put him back in or on the cage as well.

Sure as shoot, your bird knows when your going to return him to his cage. Salty is not overly fond ( putting it mildly) of going into his pak o bird, cuz that means he is going to the vet. Thats the one time I can guarantee he will try to bite me. I distract him with a toy or something novel and that seems to work.

For bed time, If your parrot is on a 12hr on/off sleep cycle, and you darken up the room at bed time, he might be more inclined to go in his cage. I agree with the above, from Noodles, dont only pick him up to go back to his cage - take him other places around the house. Pick him up for scratches, to play with him , to show him the house and its rooms.

he hates me currently, can't get him to not try and bite the hell out of me, so going to have to delay this for a while. lol

I have similar problems with Trigger. One thing I'm learning is to think of Step Up as a request and not a command.
If you present your finger and ask him to step up and he does, always reward with a treat.
If you present your finger and ask him to step up and he ignores it, stop asking before he bites and just turn away for a bit. Try again a little later (15 seconds, 1 minute, just a little pause). Next time you try show him the treat reward and ask again.
If you present your finger and ask him to step up and he bites, don't show a dramatic reaction, try to stay calm and say "Gentle" or "Stop" until he does. Check out some useful posts on Bite pressure training. This is a tough one to deal with, I know!

Once he has stepped up, give him some attention, training, treat or something he likes. When you DO put him in his cage, give him his favorite treat. Trigger sometimes gets an almond in the shell which he loves and keeps him occupied for a while, or one of his favorite foot toys to destroy. This is to teach him that going in his cage can be a good thing. Work on showing him that going in his cage can be for just a few minutes or just a little while and then get him out again and repeat. Also try to give him some love and attention (maybe treats) through the bars while he IS in there to show him it's not a punishment.
http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/48181-what-s-your-bite-pressure-training-technique.html

saganismyhero said:

he hates me currently, can't get him to not try and bite the hell out of me, so going to have to delay this for a while. lol

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It could just all be too much at the moment, no sweat re giving things a break. Just a note that birds do not like to be presented with the same thing re stepping up. Some like a perch; wood or cotton/jute, some like a finger, some a hand; flat, fist, side, or maybe as my G2 a clothed arm, not keen on skin

Just remember that Greys take a l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-g time to adjust sometimes and are stubborn to boot. They hate change like a out of office President.

saganismyhero said:

We will be getting along just fine, he will performs the tricks for clicks and treats, will step up when he feels like it, but whenever I try to get him to step up to go back into the cage he tries to bite me?

I'm trying to figure out what the reason behind this is, anyone have any idea?

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An easy fix is that when you take them back in their cage, give them a whole meal. My parrots love their cage since when they go back to it, they know they are getting a whole meal to eat. And also make sure after training, you just let the parrot roam and play for an hour before going back. Add some of the parrot's favourite toys and make the cage feel like place they want to be in it.