Need help with Sweeney!

[CheshireGrymm]

So I have been trying to get Sweeney to step up for a long time (2 months now) and I'm not making much progress. I have tried using a perch instead of my fingers, but he runs away from it. When I try to use my fingers, he bites. I have tried distractions, food and even a clicker. No progress. All he wants to do is sit on top of his cage and eat! He will clamber all over the top of the cage and bob up and down while shaking his wings like he wants to fly to me when I'm doing something, but I don't know if he's too scared to or what.

If you need info on him, he's a yellow sided gcc, young (im not too sure about age), clipped (he came to me like that, it wasn't my choice), and really has the potential to be very very sweet. He is rarely in his cage and has PLENTY of toys

Any tips on how to get this to work? I would love for him to at least learn to step up first before I do any kind of other training. I am totally confused and Im running out of ideas! HALP!!!

 

[MikeyTN]

Instead of using one perch, use two instead. One in the front, one in the back. Or try to use your finger in front while perch is coming from behind. They usually would go for the finger instead of the perch. Give that a try and see how it goes.

 

[MonicaMc]

If he's on a seed diet, switch him to a pelleted diet. Seeds are then very valuable rewards. Sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, nuts, dried fruits and millet spray tend to be some popular rewards.

If you fill your hand with food, will he bite you?


What about a designated food cup? Every time you walk by, drop something in there. He can then look forward to your presence every day.

 

[CheshireGrymm]

He's been on a pellet diet for a while. Actually his biting has stopped. I appreciate the help though

 

[MangieSun]

Have you found the treat that he loves. I mean, like loves loves and has to have? My Jasper will not work for anything other than sunflower seeds so those are only given during training time. When he sees them come out he is eager to please to get that cherished treat. For Mangie it's grapes. I am a stickler for clicker training. I find it amazingly useful and it works amazingly well when done right. Have you began target training and then using that skill to use to train the step up?