help

Naydne

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Jun 1, 2014
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Location
Ft Stewart GA
Parrots
Congo african grey (Venus )
Hi I have a question about venus my new African grey, he is 5 yrs old and I adopted him about a week and he will make noises and seems to be settling pretty good. He was not clipped when I got him so I took him to the vet to be clipped, which he was not happy about so I'm not sure ill be doing that again. When he has came off his cage he lets me pick him up and he also comes right up to me for treats and to rub against my hand, if I'm putting toys up but he will bite me if I try to get him off his cage and gets really mad if I try to use a perch. I'm confused because I have read different things about how to get them to step up off the cage to start training them and I don't want to do the towel or if its even to early for my to be training him yet?
 
I start training from day one, some other folks who trains does the same thing like me. But some people do wait before starting to train. When you try to get Venus to step up onto a perch, use two perches. Hold one in front of Venus and one coming in from the rear. He will step up onto the perch willingly. After that, start practicing between the perches to get him to step up to the perches back and fourth. Start from there as it is important to let them learn how to step up properly.
 
thank you for the response I will try that I just wanted to make sure him being mad at me wouldn't ruin our friendship before it even started.
 
Jayde, my RTC, came to me clipped. This is not something that I desired, nor something that I could change. When she came here, I also didn't remove her off the cage if I didn't have to. I knew she would be work before I got her, but I wasn't prepared for her behavior.

She so badly wanted attention, but at the same time was completely terrified of it. If I walked towards her, she would scamper away, trying to get as far away from me as she could. If I walked away, she would try to follow me as much as she could, without leaving the safety of her cage.



Instead of forcing her off her cage, I instead moved the cage around the house with me. (her cage being small enough to fit through doors) This way, she could be with me without having to be on me nor leaving the safety of her cage. One day shortly after getting her, I was sitting on the floor next to her cage when she climbed down to investigate. I watched her but didn't try to do anything with her. She climbed up the cage each time she got a little startled or frightened, but then would climb back down on her own. She eventually ended up on my shoulder where she sat for a few moments.

After that, I started encouraging her to climb to my shoulder to leave her cage, which at first would take time as she was unsure about leaving her cage. If she was on my shoulder and started making worried/concerned noises, I would take her back to her cage.


Once Jayde was comfortable climbing to my shoulder and hanging out with me a bit, I then worked with her climbing onto my upper arm instead of my shoulder. Then I worked on her climbing onto my lower arm instead of my upper arm... I also worked with her in trying to get her comfortable enough with my hands without biting them. This then led to teaching her to climb onto my hand instead of my arms. At each step of the way, she would stretch as far as she could to avoid the new area.


Now, if I don't ask her to to step up, she'll fly to me! For us, training started *at* the cage, not away from it. I also didn't force or coerce her into stepping up.





I am currently caring for a wild caught african ringneck, and she will take some more time to work with, since she has no desire for human interaction.
 
Great advice above! I definiely agree with MonicaMc, I wouldn't try to force/coerce your parrot into steppinig up. You haven't had him very long yet, so I wouldn't worry about him not wanting to leave the cage. I would absolutely start training right away though, since that can help stop bad habits from developing. It's your choice, though, and you may also want to let him settle in before you start training. In my opinion, training is a great way to form a bond with your bird, so I would take the opportunity and try to build your relationship with Venus. Given a little time and effort (and treats always help, too, of course) you'll get Venus stepping up consistently.
 
hi everyone thanks for the advise and by the way lola is gorgeous. I actually did try the two perches but he was so scared he tried to fly off the cage and I don't want him to get hurt or be even more scared so Ive tried the slow approach and today he let me give scratches and even offered to step up twice. I appreciate everyones input and so far he seems to be warming up to me.
 

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