Birdy & Sticks

[Cressy]

So, in an attempt to get my baby used to touch, someone recommended that I try this stick method, where you touch them all over with a stick, and then slowly inch your finger close until you no longer need the stick.

So, I used a chopstick And I'm not sure if i'm doing something right or wrong!

On the tapered end, Aska loves it. He just chews on it and is so happy and tries to grab at it with his stubby legs; I can't touch him with it because he's so quick to chew on it.

On the other end, Aska hates it. It scares him for some reason, even though it's just the thicker end of the same chopstick lol He runs away from it immediately.

So... is that normal? Should I get him used to one end of the chopstick? Am I rushing? I'm just scared to take him out of his cage until he's used to me touching him, cause I'm not about to chase him into going back into the cage while he's scared

 

[MikeyTN]

I don't target train Cockatiels as I train them differently. I do however use a stick to train them to step up to it. If it's the first time your using it to train him, give him time to get used to the idea.

 

[Cressy]

May I ask, how do you personally train cockatiels?

 

[MikeyTN]

I work with them in a enclosed room with just me and the bird with no other distractions. Then I just sit there until they're calm then I offer my fingers, if they try to bite, then I offer the stick for them to step up to. Then we go from there with repeated step up from stick to stick. Once that's accomplished, I would offer from step to fingers, then step up process over and over from finger to finger. That's how I work with a mean bird. If it's a nice bird to begin with then the process is a lot easier to work with.

 

[MonicaMc]

Cressy, what was suggested to you is flooding. It's repeatedly forcing a bird to endure something it doesn't like until it submits.


This kind of training is *NOT* recommended, and cockatiels should not be petted anywhere other than the head.

 

[Cressy]

I see! I didn't realize that... I'll stop this sort of training. But I'm honestly so confused. When he steps up on my finger, he eats the millet, then immediately gets back off. And if I attempt to have him step on my other finger, he bites it and steps off immediately. Maybe I taught him how to step up incorrectly

 

[MonicaMc]

Keep your interactions with him positive! He may only step up for a short period of time, but that's ok! The more good interactions he has with you the more likely he is to stay for longer periods of time!