Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum but I figured it would be the best place to ask for help since I don't know anyone else with parrots and I've been a bit lost.
So I have two male Quaker parrots, one named Sammy and another named Willow. I have been trying to train them to step up for the past week to week and a half with only mild success. The problem is that I found that they only want to step up onto the perch that I use when it training time for them and they get treats out of it and no other time. Moreover, Willow doesn't even want to step up most times and will start to bite and Sammy is a bit overeager and will readily shove Willow out of the way to step up. I don't know if it that they're scared of me (but they love to sit on my head whenever possible) or if they are just really stubborn outside of the time I train them or they're not bonded to me.
My biggest question is how do I get these two to step up without requiring a treat and outside of training time or does anyone have any tips for getting them, especially Willow, to step up. I'm sure it'll come with time, but how long did it take you all to get your parrots to step up with ease?
So I have two male Quaker parrots, one named Sammy and another named Willow. I have been trying to train them to step up for the past week to week and a half with only mild success. The problem is that I found that they only want to step up onto the perch that I use when it training time for them and they get treats out of it and no other time. Moreover, Willow doesn't even want to step up most times and will start to bite and Sammy is a bit overeager and will readily shove Willow out of the way to step up. I don't know if it that they're scared of me (but they love to sit on my head whenever possible) or if they are just really stubborn outside of the time I train them or they're not bonded to me.
My biggest question is how do I get these two to step up without requiring a treat and outside of training time or does anyone have any tips for getting them, especially Willow, to step up. I'm sure it'll come with time, but how long did it take you all to get your parrots to step up with ease?