strange stepping up problem

[ashleymarie2322]

Well, as some of you may know, I've recieved Rio from a family friend over a month ago and for a while everything seemed great. she was coming to me, stepping up, showing affection, talking like crazy, and most of these she still does. except for stepping up.

 

the problem has become getting her out of the cage or off of the cage. when she's away from it she steps up with ease and is wonderful but when i try to get her to come she bites my finger or hand. whatever she can reach.

 

I've tried using a stick, but the moment I pulled it out she freaked. I thought she would hurt herself the way she was running away from it. then I tried getting my hand behind her heels but she stands firm in her ways and found a new way to reach around a bite.

 

this is something I want to stop quickly but I'm at a loss for ideas. :dry: any advice?<br><br>Post edited by: ashleymarie2322, at: 2008/08/15 20:13

[she]

Hello Ashleymarie. Try taking Rio in to a seperate room from the cage,then practice step up giving lots of praise for the right response.Repeat this in lots of short sessions remembering to praise and NOT step the bird up quickly from hand to hand.I usually practice the down command at the same time ie I place the bird on a perch or chair back using DOWN then I ask him to step up and then repeating the down. I only do this a few times and its praise and treats all round.It sounds to me she may be a bit teritorial. Be firm but always kind

[lovemyGreys]

sounds as if Rio may be acting territorial over her cage,i have included a link for a similiar problem,within the post is a link which is worth a read

 

http://www.greyforums.net/forums/african-grey/87154-aggressive-while-inon-cage.html#87303

[ashleymarie2322]

that article was perfect!! thank you so much! I see maybe what we've been doing wrong and what I can do to fix this. it'll take time that's for sure but I feel much more hope now that it can be done. her behavior was really starting to worry me.

 

anyway thank you!!

[TinyTimneh]

i think i might disagree on the laddering being negative she, now yes i think people who sit there and ladder the poor bird as punishment for hours on end isn't right, but used sensitively it can be a good thing. obviously it has no place in day-to-day step up training but can be used as positive reinforcement. When my birds misbehave (threatening to bite when asked to step up for example) I give them the 'evil eye' and possibly a firm low, 'don't!' (i've heard parrots like loong cooing noises like oooo so No can actually be pleasant whereas short clipped consonants mimick the noise birds use when yelling at each other when they're upset). I then get the bird to step up, offer praise, and the ladder him a total of maybe four times (so four step-ups) each time praising so i'm ending the incident with positive reiforcement. it also cements the pattern of good behaviour and step-ups and gets the bird back into a cooperative, positive state of mind. just my two cents.