PLEASE answer! Question for TrainedParrot.com

[RadhaShakti]

I have a very sweet American Yellow Parrotlet who is a super fast learner. The problem I'm having is getting her to allow petting. I've had her since mid January 2012. Her brother went to my brother in college and he visits every week. She acts completely sweet, steps up,waves and sometimes allows petting, but when she goes to her brothers she will bite instead of step up except for a treat and sometimes attacks my hands and feet and will not allow any touching whatsoever. When I feel I'm to the point where I can rub her head we go to see her brother and she comes back and I have to rebuild the trust. I was wondering if there is anything I am doing wrong? Is there any better way to get her to like petting? One reason I know she is scared is because the breeder we got her from used to hold them down and pet her and her brother. When they were put on my shoulder they were extremely scared and hid in my hair when the breeder came to get her out of my hair. Question #2 is about her brother. He absolutely loves spending time with my brother but when we try to get him step up he is terrified. He backs away slowly and gently nips at his fingers but will stay 5 inches away if even one finger is there,yet he accepts treats straight from your hand. Any suggestions? If anyone has any answers please give them also I would appreciate if Micheal from Trained Parrot.com would answer. (Thank you for your awesome articles)

Thank you everyone (parrotlet?)

[GlassOnion]

Hi, the petting thing... birds don't like to be pet ever. You should be scratching the head in the opposite direction of feather growth. And even then, your bird might not like it. It's a trust issue. If your bird trusts you enough, he will let you scratch him.

As for the other one with stepping up... There are a million and one threads just like this one titled, "HELP" or something along the same lines. I would really look at those previous threads, there are so many of them.

[Michael]

I concur with glassonion.