Taming and Training

[MaraWentz]

Okay, so I am bringing home a 1.5 year old red front Saturday. She is from Bird Paradise
She was bonded with her sister (they shared a cage) and was hand fed. Therefore she is hit of sweet and scared. She loves to be pet, so I can't say she is hand shy, but it you go to pick her up of try to tell her to step up she either tries to fly away or goes to bite. We are getting her clipped. Luring doesn't work and we are going to try to teach her to step up from behind some how without her freaking out (any advice?). I was wondering if targeting really helps or not with teaching the to step up? Any advice from people with medium to big birds? (no offense to cockatiel and budgie owners but here a lot different).

 

[roxynoodle]

I've never done the target training, but many here have gotten exciting results quickly with it, including step up. I think it's worth reading about and trying.

My amazon stepped down instead of up! Now he knows how to step too, but it took a few months of working with him. For him though just telling him excitedly, "Good boy!" when he did it worked. He's very praise oriented though.

 

[MaraWentz]

Stepping down would be a good thing instead of stepping up, wouldn't it? I've read that most birds step up because it helps them fell more dominant,

 

[roxynoodle]

I believe stepping up is more natural for them, but he only knew how to step down. I think he finally has up down pat now though. But, you could try it and see if that is what she prefers. It took me a few days though to figure it out, that he wanted to step down.

 

[MaraWentz]

Thanks, I will. And I will be happy with either that she does. We are driving 4 hours to NJ Saturday to get her, so she will have a long car ride ahead But we are so excited to get her! The count down is on and we are leaving tomorrow night to spend time wit her before we take her Saturday morning! Anticipation is killing me!

 

[roxynoodle]

It's such an exciting time Maybe you can take turns driving, too, so you can both have some time to hold her and talk to her in the car.

 

[MaraWentz]

I can't hold her yet She bites and tries to fly- she bonded to her sister over the year and half. she likes to be pet but not held

 

[roxynoodle]

It wouldn't surprise me though in the car if she was willing to come out and sit in your lap. She will be looking for comfort with this new experience.

 

[MaraWentz]

I hope so. Thanks for all the positive feedback. It gives me hope.