Need help building trust for a step up and being able to put Eclectus back in cage

[EclectusLover7]

Hey everyone,
First post here.
I bought a beautiful 3 year old male ekkie last week and it's been a struggle. He was very sweet at the pet shop, and when he's on my shoulder he is usually sweet. But getting him back in the cage can be an absolute nightmare.
On the 2nd and 3rd days of having him he bit me a few times, quite hard, when trying to put him back in the cage. Since then I've been super hesitant to try and get him to step up.
I've started trying to target train but he loses interest in the treats after a few minutes. I also bought some handling gloves, but he gets scared of them.
Right now I don't really have any choice but to either force him into a carry case or pick him up with the gloves in order to get him back in the cage. Either option freaks him out and I'd rather just have him step up onto me and and go into the cage.
The whole ordeal makes me so hesitant to let him out and it's been a very stressful week for the whole household.
I'm desperate for any advice on what I should to. How do I get him in the cage? How do I train him to step up without biting when he's barely interested?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Can't you get him to step onto a stick perch and put him in that way? I have birds that hate hands and bite them or avoid them but if I use a 12-18 inch dowel rod it's much easier. If you wear a long sleeved sweatshirt and pull it over your hands you may avoid some bites. Gloves tend to freak most birds out.

 

[EclectusLover7]

Can't you get him to step onto a stick perch and put him in that way? I have birds that hate hands and bite them or avoid them but if I use a 12-18 inch dowel rod it's much easier. If you wear a long sleeved sweatshirt and pull it over your hands you may avoid some bites. Gloves tend to freak most birds out.

Thanks for the tip! I did try that as well and should have mentioned. I have a long dowel about that length but he hates it. I tried it last night and he just bites it and starts screaming and running away if I keep trying it. I always come from the side so it doesn't look like I'm poking him. Any ideas?

 

[Thechoplady]

I would not use the gloves as that will break trust. Birdtricks.com has alot of good training info. When you are target training him, set yourself up for success by making sure he is a little hungry beforehand...like before breakfast or before dinner. Also the rewards for target training should be very small so he wont get full right away.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'm not sure what to try but your training should include getting him used to getting onto the stick perch. There will be times when you'll need t. Did the store you got her from give you any tips?

 

[EclectusLover7]

I would not use the gloves as that will break trust. Birdtricks.com has alot of good training info. When you are target training him, set yourself up for success by making sure he is a little hungry beforehand...like before breakfast or before dinner. Also the rewards for target training should be very small so he wont get full right away.

I've been watching a lot of bird tricks. I'll try altering his schedule so out of cage and training happens before food time and see if that helps.

 

[EclectusLover7]

I'm not sure what to try but your training should include getting him used to getting onto the stick perch. There will be times when you'll need t. Did the store you got her from give you any tips?

Thanks I will try and get him good with target training and target him to the dowel after he is a bit more interested and consistent. Right now he will do a couple of targets and lose interest

 

[Thechoplady]

Thanks I will try and get him good with target training and target him to the dowel after he is a bit more interested and consistent. Right now he will do a couple of targets and lose interest

a couple is a good start! Remember to always end on a good note. Always end the training session early after a success...not after a fail. Its better to end early where you think he would probably succeed one more time..instead of traing until he is full or bored or tired.

 

[EclectusLover7]

a couple is a good start! Remember to always end on a good note. Always end the training session early after a success...not after a fail. Its better to end early where you think he would probably succeed one more time..instead of traing until he is full or bored or tired.

Thank you I'll take that advice to heart and give it a go today!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Trying to get a bird back into their cage is a very common problem and the bigger the bird the more of a problem it is because they bite harder. I hope you will get help here. Don't give up. He still so new to his new home. It will take time.