Hi ~ new here

[misfitz]

Hello all,

We bought our African Grey, Simba, in November. His owner could no longer take care of him. The previous owner said he was 2 years old, but we are having doubts about how truthful the man really was. After all he said Simba knew no bad words, and all it took was a couple of days for us to realize he knows every bad word there is. However, Simba has been a wonderful addition to our animal family. He keeps us laughing and we never know what will come out of his mouth. Everyday we are earning his trust more and more. He still will not step up. The only time he has follwed the command was when he flew across the room and needed help to get back to his cage. Even then, he told me to hurry it up. For those of you who have birds that have had previous owners, is it possible to gain their trust 100%? The most he will let us do is stratch his head, and that is on his own terms and depends on what kind of mood he is in. He really is great bird. He loves to be out of his cage, and will not fly off (well except for the time someone came to the door and scared him). We were at a store that raises greys. The birds they had were so trusting and social. The owner of the store suggested we look into click training. Has anyone tried this?

[Dave007]

Hello all,

We bought our African Grey, Simba, in November. His owner could no longer take care of him. The previous owner said he was 2 years old, but we are having doubts about how truthful the man really was. After all he said Simba knew no bad words, and all it took was a couple of days for us to realize he knows every bad word there is. However, Simba has been a wonderful addition to our animal family. He keeps us laughing and we never know what will come out of his mouth. Everyday we are earning his trust more and more. He still will not step up. The only time he has follwed the command was when he flew across the room and needed help to get back to his cage. Even then, he told me to hurry it up. For those of you who have birds that have had previous owners, is it possible to gain their trust 100%? The most he will let us do is stratch his head, and that is on his own terms and depends on what kind of mood he is in. He really is great bird. He loves to be out of his cage, and will not fly off (well except for the time someone came to the door and scared him). We were at a store that raises greys. The birds they had were so trusting and social. The owner of the store suggested we look into click training. Has anyone tried this?

 

 

Before different types of training is started, there has to be one important thing that has to exist which is stepping up. When stepping up is succesful, many other types of training can be started. You said that your bird doesn't do this. More than likely, he didn't do it with the previous owner too.

 

The step up command is the most important command to teach your bird as it gives you some control over him and helps you to interact with him. Many birds will have learned how to step up before you get them home, but if they havent this short guide should help you.

 

1. Choose the command you want to use and stick with it. It can be as simple as Step Up but it should not be a question and should be short and sharp.

2. Choose a time to train when you have the birds complete attention. You may need to go into a neutral room such as a quiet enclosed area away from the cage to begin training. Make sure there are no distractions for the bird's attentions such as other pets, or people. The best place is a room with doors.

3. Hold your hand at the bird's abdomen above the feet and give the Step Up command. More than likely, he won't step up. . If he doesn't try pressing lightly on the birds abdomen.

4. When he gets used to your fingers/hand touching him and he steps up give him lots of praise and his favourite treat. As he gets better at stepping up you can decrease the treats, but keep praising. But that only has to do with how long the training sessions are. Also, he/she may not wanna step up onto human skin so have a 10 inch perch and substitute it for your hand. When he gets used to the perch, start using your hand.

5. You can have him step from hand to hand to practise. But when it seems he is getting tired or losing concentration, stop at the next successful step up, give lots of praise and end the session.

6. When it seems he has mastered the step up away from the cage you can begin practising it from inside the cage. If he's one of those birds that won't tolerate your hand being in the cage then don't put your hands in. Just continue with him on the cage or on the floor.

7. Have different family members practise the step up with him

A couple of things to remember when you are teaching your bird to step up;

1. Never get cross with your bird, always be positive and ignore any unwanted behaviour

2. Keep the practise sessions short, but frequent.

3. If the bird appears to be going to bite your hand, relax, he may just be testing to make sure the perch (your hand) is stable. If he does bite, say firmly No biting! but keep your hand steady. Use a perch as a last resort.

4. If he doesn't seem to want to step up, or understand what you are expecting him to do a gentle push on his belly will help him to make the step. When he steps up, remember lots of praise and treats in the early stages!

5. And lastly remember if a step up always results in a negative outcome such as being returned to the cage, your bird may start refusing to step up. Make sure stepping up remains fun for your bird.

The stepping up success may take a while. Different birds, different times. Don't put time limits on things that you thik the lessons should have been a success

 

Try out the stepping up lessons and other training comes easier.

[judygram]

Hello Misfitz and welcome to our family.

Dave has given you some excellent advice and I have to agree that he may be older than two but don't worry too much about the foul language, the best thing you can do for him when he says those words is to ignore it, do not even laugh or react in any way good or bad or he will take that as encouragement to continue, if you follow this suggestion then he may say those words less and less, remember ignore the bad and reward the good.

Simba is a beautiful Cag and looking forward to hearing more about him.

[Ray P]

Hi Misfitz and Simba, welcome to the grey forum.

Judy and Dave have given you great advice.

Simba is a good looking grey so take it slow because time is on your side.

[misfitz]

Thank you Dave and Judy for responding and the advice. I will start working with him more on the Step up command. He has come along way since we got him and will get there in time I do think. Everyday he trusts us more and more. If we can just get the step up command aced, we will be doing great.

[aerial.2000]

love the pics welcome to the forum ... super advice given ^^^^ good luck and let us know about your progress