Step UP Problems

[alexandrian]

Okay, so I'm new to parrot ownership, and just got Ozzy our Alexandrian Parrot 1-1/2 weeks ago.
He is 17 weeks old and hand reared. He was fed by hand, but no socialization other than that.

He is friendly to all of us, loves to take treats by hand (sunflower seed and blueberries, and snap peas are all motivation treats).
I have started target training with him, and he has caught on very quickly, both in and out of the cage.

He will NOT step up, in or around his cage or perch. If he flies to the ground, I can put my hand down, and he will step up no problem whatsoever, no biting, hesitation or anything.

I have tried to target train him (stick, clicker, treat) to step onto a perch (from his cage), while he is in his cage or on top, but he gets upset (eyes pin), and he bites the perch, and my hand that is holding the perch. I have been withdrawing my hand and perch, because he gets aggressive, and I walk away.

I know he is not afraid of my hand, because, like said earlier, he will step up with no issues, if he is on the floor.
I have read a few posts, and have determined that I should NOT allow him out of the cage, until he steps up, using target training, IS This Correct? He had free access to come out as he chose, prior to reading this.

Help? What do I need to do?

[Michael]

It sounds like you successfully used negative reinforcement to train him to bite you. Reversing this will be more painful and harder but not impossible. I do suggest continuing the targeting approach. Another important factor is that you have to give him something worthwhile to come out for. In other words, the out of cage experience should be so marvelous in his mind that he would prefer to step up to come out than be left in cage. But otherwise, you're probably just gonna have to suck it up and take some bites to undo the fact that you taught him to btie. He sounds young, shouldn't be too unbearable. Hope it works out.

[alexandrian]

Hi Michael,
I was hoping you would reply.
So, I've been reinforcing the target training - he loves sunflower seeds
He follows the target all around his cage, and is very good about it.
I did get him to step up onto his perch a few times, and praise him outlandishly, when he does.
I have started target training him by getting him to step onto the perch when he's on top of his cage - which is going much better. Even just walking over it, so he is used to seeing my hand and perch.
However, when he gets on the perch (which he doesn't seem to have a problem with), 2 out of 3 times, he likes to bite at my hand that is holding the perch. I realize you said I'm gonna have to take a few bites
My question is do I reward him for stepping onto the perch, and riding it, even though he bites me? or do I only reward him, when he doesn't bite?
Also, if he is biting, some (on the internet) have suggested, doing a small drop, to off balance him (distract), so he stops biting. Do you recommend this?
Thanks for you time, I really want to get this right... especially since he is young.

[Michael]

If you do the targeting stuff right (and assuming the bird really wants the treat), you shouldn't get bit and shouldn't end up reinforcing biting. Target onto the perch and reward immediately. Ideally let the bird reach for the treat but stick it right in its beak if you have to. Use a treat that takes a little time to consume like a sunflower seed. This buys you at least 5 seconds of the bird being on the perch or your hand where its beak is too full to bite. Now let's say it wants to bite as soon as it is done with the seed, well target it off the perch and back onto cage or training stand immediately. This prevents chances for biting and provides high rewards. The more times the bird does this exercise without the opportunity to bite, the more it will remember that this is a good thing and have less intention remain to bite. Slowly you'll be able to increase the time to lock this in. For instance you will wait for 1 second after click before giving treat, then 2, then 5. The bird will be expecting the treat from previous times so it will wait for the treat rather than bite. You'll be able to increase this delay. Then you'll also be able to increase the delay after it finishes the treat before you do something else. Another thing to try is after it steps up and has been rewarded, walk around the room a little bit with the bird on the handheld perch (start brief for like 5 seconds but work your way up). The bird is more likely to focus on looking around and balance rather than biting.

My question is do I reward him for stepping onto the perch, and riding it, even though he bites me? or do I only reward him, when he doesn't bite?

Reward him before he has a chance to bite.

Also, if he is biting, some (on the internet) have suggested, doing a small drop, to off balance him (distract), so he stops biting. Do you recommend this?

No. Don't do this. It will only work counter to what you're trying to achieve. Think about what it will ultimately teach your bird if you do this? That you're unstable and bad things happen when it stands on you so it will try to avoid stepping up even more. They can't tell that it's because they were biting rather than being on you, they just remember that this happens only on you. When the bird bites its perch, nothing happens and it's a stable place to step onto. But when on you, it gets bad balance. So this is terrible advice and will hurt your relationship. This only works with very well bonded birds with years of experience stepping up that are just being a bit too bossy with their beak but should not be used on a bird that is not yet reliable at stepping up. Good luck.