My Parrots are tamed in a way.

[Shaey]

I need help my birds target train well they step up well and all that but when they are out the cage they just forget step up, dont accept treats and dont target out the cage. Unless they are infront the cage going back into the cage, thats the only time they step up, they go to a different area and just start preening and getting comfy easily but dont do anythng but stay there and preen. help!

 

[saxguy64]

Hello, and welcome! Glad you found us

I'm certainly no expert, and I'm sure others will be along soon enough with ideas, but here's my take. It sounds to me like your bird has not generalized the behavior yet. He understands what you expect of him in the cage, but hasn't yet connected that with what you're asking of him outside the cage. Try starting fresh with him outside of the cage, and consider step up and targeting a completely separate trick from what he knows to do inside. Move at his pace, and don't push.

I'm also thinking that this may be a trust/confidence thing. He feels secure inside the cage, but outside is a big, scary world, and he is much more vulnerable. Here's a link that might help regarding building trust: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
Hope this helps. BTW, we love pictures here if you'd like to share

 

[wrench13]

Most parrots do well with treat reinforced training, as the saying goes the quickest way to a parrots heart is thru his belly. Find out your parrots very favorite treat, the one he would wash your car for, and use that exclusively for training purposes. Using that high value treat item exclusively for training both motivates your parrot to do the trick or request, and also over time lets him know that, yes, its training time and time to learn new things.

If it turns out to be something that is in his everyday food mix, like sunflower seeds or millet or what ever, remove it from the mix. Personally I use small slices of pine nuts ( pignoli nuts) available in almost every supermarket. Once you have determined what that special treat is, it becomes your ambassador in working with your bird.

Of course there are some few parrots that really do not have a favorite treat and food rewards will not have the desired effect. THose parrots may respond to verbal praise or small scratches on the head as the reward ( but those work better with parrots that have at least partially bonded to a favorite person).

Training time I find is best done at a set time, every day! Your parrot will come to know that its time to learn and have some mental stimulation. Some tricks or actions you need to expect them to do at anytime, like stepping up, and training for those actions should be done all the time too.

Tips: BE CONSISTENT - use the same request or signal every time when asking for a specific trick or action, or your parrot can become confused. All family members should too. DEVELOP SIGNALS - I use both verbal and hand signals for each trick or action so my parrot knows exactly what I am asking for. GET COMPLICATED - parrots are so smart they get bored doing the same trick over and over. Aside from the needed basic ones, step up etc, once your parrot learns a trick and has it done pat, try teaching him variations on it to keep his interest up. OBSERVE - when teaching a trick, reward when even a little progress is made. Example: if your teaching him to wave hello, reward even a little movement of his foot at first, then build on that (holds true for teaching step up - reward for any movement twords your hand or finger at first, then build on that). BE IMMEDIATE - have the treat ready so you can reward immediately when the trick is done or there is progress. You want the parrot to connect his action with the reward; if you're fumbling around for the treat he willl not make that connection.

Parrots love to learn new things, and have pride when they know they have done something well. My own little amazon, Salty, struts around our training table when he knows he has learned a new trick and likes to show off in front of his mommy !

 

[Scott]

Welcome aboard, thanks for joining!

The forum master of training, "wrench13" has shared superb advice above!

Only other forum reference I have to share is "Clicker and Target training: http://www.parrotforums.com/training/60435-clicker-target-training.html

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you!

 

[Laurasea]

Welcome. What kind of parrots?
Hand feeding treats can help, keep trying to find what they like. I use popcorn , safflower seeds, tiny pieces of apple, a cheerio here and there, or I hold a millit spray abd let tgrm nibble.

 

[Shaey]

They are budgies

 

[Laurasea]

If they step up even just at cage that fantastic! Mine don't. After 2 years, one has decided to befriend me. But I haven't worked with them , 2 were given to me, and one escaped I helped rescue and nurse through a cat bite. They fly and play in tge house.

I hope you offer veggies and leafy greens they really like them.

You can attach a picture by clicking go advanced under text box, paperclip, choose picture, hit upload on the far right. Then close that window and post. Id love to see yours.