First step went great

[HusseinBerjaoui]

So I decided to open the cage door for Mango, to start the training. I do not use any clicker though. After that, I removed the food bowl because he wasn't going out, but instead getting some food and climbing to upper perch. When he got out, he climbed to the roof of the cage and got amazed. He started jumping and playing and everything while I was waiting on the floor with plenty of treats, including his best toys: flowers.
He took every thing I have him from my hand, with no biting. And after like 10 to 15 mins, he went back to his cage and then I closed the door. Now he is whistling and tweeting probably to let him out again.
But my question is, what is the next step to take when I get him out for the second time? Should I try to touch him or anything?
He does let me touch him sometimes when he sticks his head through the bars, but sometimes he just bites.
Thank you

 

[MonicaMc]

I would suggest teaching step up, and if you are working with him on the floor, simply getting him comfortable enough to sit on your hand is enough for now! Put your hand flat on the ground so it's not so much of a physical step up and teach him to stand on your hand.

Once on, teach him to get back off and repeat - while leaving your hand firmly on the ground.

 

[HusseinBerjaoui]

I think he'll just bite me if I do so but I'll try anyway. I'll keep you informed in further progress and I hope to achieve some !

 

[CaitlinBird]

If you think mango will bite I think you need to teach him to target first! I also have a new second hand bird I'm training for Florida parrot rescue and he doesn't even know how to step up! We are practicing target training before I do anything with him. This is because target training makes teaching so many other behaviors MUCH easier! After target training we'll start working on step up, crate training and taking medicine from a syringe.

I hope you decide to save your fingers and try target training first!

Good luck with little mango!

 

[HusseinBerjaoui]

Every time I use a stick as a target training he tries to chew it. How can I target train him then?

 

[MonicaMc]

You can reward Mango for touching the stick. Just allow him to touch it then remove and reward. Of course, you don't have to use a stick, you can use any other object as well. It would take practice, but not impossible.

You could even reward Mango for chewing on the stick less until the point that he doesn't chew on it at all, only touches it.

 

[HusseinBerjaoui]

Thaanks ! I will try this right away
Do I have to use a clicker? I don't have one currently

 

[MonicaMc]

No, a clicker is not required, but it can help to pinpoint the exact behavior that you want!

You can also use other things besides a clicker. I've heard some people using their tongues to make a specific noise, a clicking pen or anything else that makes an exact noise that could be understood.


Many owners train without using a clicker! That said, I'd like to dig up my own clicker, where-ever I last put it, and try using it again!

 

[HusseinBerjaoui]

Oh I see! Thank you so much I'll keep you updated ! ^^

 

[HusseinBerjaoui]

So I got him out cage today and he's been out since two hours. He just wouldn't get in and I don't want to force him.
But anyway, I grabbed his food mix in my hand (made in the form of a bowl) and he ate some, and then nibbling with my big finger. He could've made it bleed, but he wasn't applying much pressure. He also came down to the floor and ate some food that were in front of me, and it was very close.
I was sitting on the bed and his cage was next to me. I fed him watermelons and when I stopped, he jumped towards me but couldn't reach because he is wing-clipped.
When I introduced to him a brown wooden box to play in it, he jumped away freaking out, although I did give him a plastic toy that he enjoyed.
He makes a 'surprised' sound when I approach close even though he sees me. I guess he's just too shy like most Jardines !

 

[Betrisher]

I've had some success with my birds by offering them a shallow dish with a variety of interesting small toys in. I have plastic baby toys, colourful beads, bits of plastic wrapping tied into bows, drinking straws and those little plastic balls with a bell inside. Recently, Barney has discovered the dish and will now happily hop on the side of it to rummage among the toys. This has been a good beginning, because while he has the toy in his mouth, I can scratch his head and offer a treat without being bitten.

I don't know if it'll work for your bird, but I've found that mine will do *anything* for the chance to nibble on a silver spoon. So, I just hold the spoon in my hand and when the bird comes to nibble it, I put them quickly but gently in the cage. Then, I remove the spoon. If I let them keep it, it will lose its magic!

 

[HusseinBerjaoui]

I had to open the upper ceiling and the bird jumped directly inside the cage. I think he lost the cage door's location in first place. Yesterday he tried to bite me when I tried to touch him.. I'll try the spoon thing today!

 

[MonicaMc]

I think sometimes the issue with cages is that the doors are too small.

Looks like I've got some reading to do in other threads!