Stepping up (Pre-learned, now with problems)

[cml]

We just got our new little white fronted amason, Stitch yesterday and he's adorable. He is 12 weeks old.

He already knew how to step up when he arrived, the breeder had taught him, but without a voice cue, so I figured Id just build on to that. I have read ALOT of training guides, including most articles on the trained parrot blog, and would like to think I had a basic understanding what to do. I know that you should start with target practice, but since we were able to already get him out I tried with step up, as to be able to continue training outside the cage.

Only reward good behaviour, wait till Stitch calms down before removing the hand should he bite etc. Yesterday was great, he was a super student. Today is a whole different story though. He bites when stepping up (I have been careful not to offer him a treat when he does) and is unruly. He also tries to walk up my forearm.

Have I unconsciously rewarded misbehaviour or is he just being unruly? I noticed yesterday that when he got too hungry he got unfocused and started trying to bite, at which point we gave him his evening meal rather than continuing with training

(EDIT after Liz' post: He has access to his food 24/7 its just he forgets he has it and I lift him to the bowl so he will know where it is).

After a frustrating session, I did the same today, serve him his breakfast (read this on michaels site, making a going into the cage a positive thing) and take a break. He was really hungry and spent a lot of time eating after going into the cage.

Whats your suggestion? Should we back up, start with target practice and try to "relearn" step up as to minimize biting? Is my mistake permanent or do you reckon we can fix this new behaviour?

On a side note, he's also started "talking" (making a lot of small screams, not loud or disturbing, but I dont like it) to get attention when in the cage.

Cheers guys! =)

EDIT. see above

[liz]

My kids, all of them weather they are feathered, furry or scaled have a never ending supply of basic foods. They are never really hungry. I do give fresh foods in the morning and snaks during the day.

You would not try to teach a kid while it was hungry.

[cml]

Oh you misunderstood me Liz, sorry, he has had access to food since he got here, its in his bowl which he has access to 24/7.
Its just he didnt eat before going out of the cage this morning, he was so eager to get out .
I put him in to make him see the bowl and eat for himself rather than fighting for treats, which he also did and then calmed down noticably.

The reason I joined this forum was because I thought people had a nicer tone against one and other than on our forums here in Sweden. Bit disappointed in that first reply to be honest, but I do want help understanding my parrot, we want to make everything the best for him! =)

[Michael]

You're overthinking it. Generally learning doesn't happen that quickly. I don't think he learned to bite but rather was just shy the first day. We often hear about this where people get a bird and the first few days it's unbelievably well behaved and then the truth comes out

I would still look into target training that parrot eventually (like within first two months of having it) but it already knows step up. So I recommend looking at this article about how to approach parrots that already know how to step up. See if you can improve your approach and make everything that happens after step up rewarding. Don't hurt step up by using it to do "bad things" to the bird such as putting it away in cage, grooming, etc until it is more used to you. Always distract with a good thing first. This could mean giving a treat after stepping up but doesn't have to. It could be step up, put bird on perch in cage and break out a new toy and start playing with the bird in the cage. This way step up, walking away, and being locked in cage are not directly correlated.

Ignore the bites. In terms of approach to step up, be gentle but determined. Don't stop or back down but don't be quick/forceful either. That seems to be the key for bold birds that know how to but don't want to step up.

Training or having the bird out before it has had its morning meal is a great idea, this way going back to the cage is rewarding. Don't withhold food for more than 3 hours for a young parrot. They are eager to learn and earn treats even if they have food all day. It's only when they get older and stop developing that food quantities need to be controlled. Let me know if you have any further questions. Good luck.

[cml]

Thank you so much Michael.

I will continue with basic taming and handling to get him more used to me and my fiancée and slow down training a little bit. I was just overwhelmed with how good he was ^^. We will definatly look into target training, it was the plan from the begin.

Also just wanted to say cheers, I've read your articles and I find them better than alot of material that are in books. Its also great to have videos compliment the text.

Hoping to have a great stay on these boards!

[coolhady13]

Thank you so much Michael.

I will continue with basic taming and handling to get him more used to me and my fiancée and slow down training a little bit. I was just overwhelmed with how good he was ^^. We will definatly look into target training, it was the plan from the begin.

Also just wanted to say cheers, I've read your articles and I find them better than alot of material that are in books. Its also great to have videos compliment the text.

Hoping to have a great stay on these boards!

Michael's articles are the best.

[cml]

A little update, we have spent the last couple of days just socialising with Stitch, no training, and he back to being super-nice. I probably made it sound worse than it was in my earlier posts, but its very nice to see him being so sweet again.

Step up works like a charm, no biting and he responds to "Step up" now. I can also handle him, lift him, even upside down, without biting or panicking, he remains quite calm. We have yet to try handling with a towel.

He has also found his toys in the cage and started playing a little with them .

My thinking is to just continue to "hang out" for a while, do some handling and petting but no training for a while...what do you reckon about this? Maybe start to click condition him in a week or there abouts and then slowly slowly start training?

Cheers,
CML

[coolhady13]

My thinking is to just continue to "hang out" for a while, do some handling and petting but no training for a while...what do you reckon about this? Maybe start to click condition him in a week or there abouts and then slowly slowly start training?

well there is no problem about hanging out with him without training . and since he is 12 weeks old which is about 3 month you can start training at anytime you want . just dont clicker condition him for so long as Michael said

You will know that the parrot is ready to proceed to the next step when it becomes more attentive/excited upon hearing the click sound.

so when that happen go for target training .Good Luck