snicker
New member
Hi all,
I am in need of some advice for my little baby conure buddy. He loves to be cuddled and ride around on my shoulder or hang out on my leg while I relax. He also enjoys when I stand next to his cage and talk to him! However, when I go to ask him to step up in or around his cage, he always freaks out and runs around like a maniac. It's only around his cage! Elsewhere in the house he does it completely fine! I think this may be because my roommate tried to interact with him when he was first brought home by reaching into his cage to get him (I wasn't home when she did this and yes, I did speak to her about it afterwards) and scared him. I usually keep my finger in one spot while he runs around, I don't chase him, while repeating "step up" calmly and patiently. Eventually, he calms down and listens, but I feel like I could be doing something better. This is my first conure (I've only had cockatiels up until now), and I wonder if anyone has tips or tricks that I could implement that would help me train my friend and keep him from freaking out whenever he sees my finger. We have gained a lot of trust together, and I have been working with him daily. This would be a big step for him.
I am in need of some advice for my little baby conure buddy. He loves to be cuddled and ride around on my shoulder or hang out on my leg while I relax. He also enjoys when I stand next to his cage and talk to him! However, when I go to ask him to step up in or around his cage, he always freaks out and runs around like a maniac. It's only around his cage! Elsewhere in the house he does it completely fine! I think this may be because my roommate tried to interact with him when he was first brought home by reaching into his cage to get him (I wasn't home when she did this and yes, I did speak to her about it afterwards) and scared him. I usually keep my finger in one spot while he runs around, I don't chase him, while repeating "step up" calmly and patiently. Eventually, he calms down and listens, but I feel like I could be doing something better. This is my first conure (I've only had cockatiels up until now), and I wonder if anyone has tips or tricks that I could implement that would help me train my friend and keep him from freaking out whenever he sees my finger. We have gained a lot of trust together, and I have been working with him daily. This would be a big step for him.