...and she FINALLY steps up!

[4dugnlee]

I've been working with Sassy to step up and finally, two nights ago, she started stepping up to my arm/hand from the top of her cage! She did it several times and, of course, I rewarded her. She did it last night too. I had her step up and then carried her into the living room with me a couple times also. I also took her back to her cage top if she flew in to me, and then had her step up, and then carried her back into the living room with me. (Thanks Henpecked, for your advice in my last thread) I think she's been holding out...lol. I feel like she was once a well trained bird and "lost" it with her last owner not handling her or allowing her out of her cage. She seems like she knows what to do, I can't really explain it. I don't feel like I'm "training" her to do things, just more like reminding her. Another reason I think she was once well trained is that in all her daily excursions out of her cage, she has not pooped away from her cage. I see her every day go back to her cage top, poop, and then she's off again. Which is nice...otherwise I would have to climb up on my counters to clean it off the top of my cupboards as that is where she usually hangs out. Oh, and also, for any of you who saw my pics of the "play" cabinet I made for her, she won't go in it! AT ALL...LOL. Like now that she's allowed to go there, she doesn't want to. Little stinker!

So anyway, sorry for my rambling on...just had to share...the people at work are getting sick of hearing my bird stories...lol...they don't get it!

 

[Birdman666]

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS...

And once she gets over the hump, and begins to remember what that interaction was like, they open up more and more, and that bonding thing happens...

And then it becomes ingrained in them.

 

[Kiwibird]

Good for Sassy! It's so great that all your dedication and patience is paying off with her. I'm sure she's been "testing" you:54: and you've proven yourself ever more worthy of her companionship I'm actually surprised she doesn't want to go in that cabinet though. I've never met a bird who didn't like a small, dark space to 'lurk' in lol.

And rescues can surprise you, because you typically only know the one prior situation they came out of (if that), and in such long-lived, misunderstood animals, they could have had numerous homes you'll never know about (good and bad). Kiwi is not a big talker, but a year or so after we got him, he wanted something and lets out a perfect "HELLO". Turns out, he can say hello, hi and a curse word (we discourage that). I also suspect his name had not always been Kiwi. He just doesn't respond to his name like other birds. You can call him booger butt and he gives the same reaction:20: I'm betting Sassy has some more surprises for you!

 

[_greyluv_]

That is so great!!! Hoping I have a break through with my Ollie soon

 

[RavensGryf]

Yay Sassy! I'm glad to hear she's coming along! Sometimes all it takes is time.

I rarely even mention my birds to non-bird people. I know they don't get it so why bother I figure. It would only make me frustrated, then mad when someone says something insensitive.

 

[Taw5106]

That is awesome, congrats! It does feel awesome when they do something positive. I don't recall who said this in a thread but rescues were like a locked treasure chest and we have to find the keys to unlock their treasures. Not word for word but I have said that to myself when Buddy decides to be difficult or have a bad day. Great work and keep sharing!

 

[4dugnlee]

I don't recall who said this in a thread but rescues were like a locked treasure chest and we have to find the keys to unlock their treasures

That's an awesome quote!

I rarely even mention my birds to non-bird people. I know they don't get it so why bother I figure. It would only make me frustrated, then mad when someone says something insensitive.

I know what you mean! I still tell all my bird stories though...lol. Sometimes I even talk like my birds...they REALLY appreciate that...lol


Well, last night, Sassy stepped up from her cage top and I put her inside her cage to her perch, then had her step up from her perch and put her back on her cage top! She did this several times! I was so happy! Then when she was hanging out on the front of my kitchen cabinet in her "crazy" mode, I got her to step up and I took her into the living room with me...and then back to her cage top. I got her to step up from the cabinet 2 more times (in her "crazy" mode) and the last time she stepped up I put her back in her cage with no problem whatsoever! She's come so far in the 9 weeks that I've had her but especially in the last couple weeks!

 

[Blancaej]

That is awesome news! Great job Sassy!!

 

[Birdman666]

Y
I rarely even mention my birds to non-bird people. I know they don't get it so why bother I figure. It would only make me frustrated, then mad when someone says something insensitive.

That's what this place is for! So we don't annoy the non bird-nerds, and get it out of our system...

 

[henpecked]

sassy just had to learn you where a trustworthy leader, they don't have to be the leader themselves, they just need a good strong leader instead.(and they're happy)