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Post by donna on Feb 7, 2014 20:29:08 GMT
Day three, hopefully you won't get sick of seeing me on here:) Today Pickle has been really quiet, probl'y thinking "Maybe if I don't say anything they won't notice me" he-he. Well brought him to the tent and he would not come out. All my efforts to get him to step up from the perch had him climbing the walls. I wavered between just packing it up and calling it a day. When I tried to get him to step up, he would step over and then started going for the foot on the cage and climbing. At one point he had his mouth on the side of the cage kind of pulsing his beak hanging there. I had managed to get him on a couple of times but when I went to take him out, he flew back to perch. I was worried that I was stressing him out. I stopped and just kinda babbled out loud a second and went back in to try again and he finally stepped up and stayed on , I moved a little slower as I tried to bring him out and managed this time. When he did come out, he sat there, did not move off my finger. We sat at face level for abt 20 min. I even moved a couple of times straightening a leg cause it went to sleep, also scratched my face. Tried to put my other hand in front of him for a step up from finger to finger, but then decided to much to soon. I think, although there was no "This is the best thing vibe" from Pickle, he actually started to relax and look around a little. Not like looking for an escape, but kinda checking things out. I tried to take the advice of someone and close my eyes in a relaxing way, the way birds do when they are relaxed around each other. When I was ready to get out, I brought him into his cage and said perch and brought him right to it. He didn't get on his perch so I brought him back out another minute and tried again. Only when I brought his toes right up and touched his feet to the perch and said it did he go. I tried to give him some millet, but he didn't eat. Will go again tmrow. I think Pickle is a more serious little guy, not the typical clown hanging upside down from a cage bar type budgie. I hope that at one point he can come around and be the type of bird that can relax and enjoy being out with me. I let him know how much I appreciated him being with me today and letting me share his company with him on my finger. They are amazing little creatures. Thanks everyone for your encouragement.
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 7, 2014 21:16:37 GMT
Yay! Actually, I look forward to your reports every day. It does sound like Pickle is a quiet little soul. It also sounds like you are making progress .
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Post by Pammy on Feb 7, 2014 22:40:01 GMT
I too enjoy your reports. You are doing so well!
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Post by violetcloud on Feb 8, 2014 13:20:38 GMT
Hi Donna, I have been using a tent for about 2 months now, my girl Zeb would do step ups in her cage. This is how I do it. I carry her cage down to tent door and wedge it in, I then play a youtube clip of a budgie, then she jumps down to door and straight on to my phone, i then cover up her cage from inside. I take millet and toys in too. Now she only has to se the tent go up and she is getting ready by her door ! As for getting back in, i just hold the cover up or remove and she jumps back in. But i can honestly say, she has become so super friendly now, she has so much more confidence and actually enjoys being on my hands so much now, she even likes to be tickled around her cheeks and head too. Hope this helps and well done on progress so far.
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Post by lisamarie on Feb 8, 2014 14:13:06 GMT
Just a tip: when you have him on your finger, you don't want to keep him face level (at least not while training). You wanna keep him lower, kind of a triangle between your bird, your nose, and your chest. This shows dominance, and puts "you" in charge. (The bird store taught me about this one)
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Post by donna on Feb 8, 2014 21:47:03 GMT
Day four,
Today in the tent, he stepped up pretty quick and came out first try instead of flying back to perch. He then sat on my finger the whole time and I was even able to switch hands today. I tried to see if he would go to my shoulder, but either to afraid or not understanding, stayed on the finger. He sat there, and as I talked with him, he didn't make noise, but every time I spoke, he would mover his little tongue and beak like trying. Thanks LisaM for the tip on"face level" will keep that in mind. So glad to hear your progress, very encouraging indeed. Looking forward to more time with my little buddy. Cant wait till he can relax a little more.
Have a good weekend!
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Post by luvsanimals2 on Feb 8, 2014 22:38:21 GMT
very nice, glad its working
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Post by rdkntriker on Feb 8, 2014 22:52:50 GMT
Wow, your doing very good, well done
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 8, 2014 23:44:55 GMT
Wonderful. It's really inspiring.
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Post by violetcloud on Feb 9, 2014 13:02:27 GMT
Thats fantastic, you must be really pleased ! My bird prefers to stay on my finger, though if she has a fly around, she does always land on my left shoulder. It probably indicates that they feel safe on fingers, so I just go with what she is happy with. Do you take a favourite treat in as well ? Also, there are days when she does not feel like going in, so I never force her, I want it to be a happy experience !!! Keep it up, you are making good progress
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Post by donna on Feb 9, 2014 20:14:48 GMT
Sunday, OK, I have to say, contrary to yesterday, today was totally discouraging!! When we went in, it was like he never knew me. Couldn't even get him to step up in the cage. It is discouraging, because you would think that he would be hopefully starting to get used to the idea. I don't expect him to be riding on my shoulder or something, but at least warming up to me! I am starting to think that he is one that just isn't going to get it. Will try again tmrow. Either he is getting smart in the way that he knows what he doesn't like and is figuring out how to avoid it. One step forward, two back.
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Post by Sarah on Feb 9, 2014 20:21:37 GMT
Don't worry too much Donna! You are going to have setback days and difficult days. He might be having a bad day emotionally or feel a little tired and grumpy - maybe you weren't in the best mood and he could sense it. Never take a bad day as a sign that a training regimine isn't working, until the bad day turns into a bad week or a bad month. Stick with it, and keep your chin up! I am sure you will be rewarded for your hard work!
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Post by Pammy on Feb 9, 2014 23:54:58 GMT
Every one of us has setback days, Donna. I know it's horribly discouraging, but don't let it get you down or cause you to give up. Yo are doing so well! In fact, your progress reports have almost made me head out to the garage to scrounge around for my son's boy scouting two-man tent.
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Post by rdkntriker on Feb 10, 2014 0:10:55 GMT
I see it as two steps forward and one step back. Your still moving forward so that is good. Remember you taming a wild animal and there will always be bad days
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Post by donna on Feb 10, 2014 18:02:42 GMT
Day6, Monday, Polar opposite today! Stepped up first thing, stayed on my finger taking him out, sat on my finger the whole time and was able to move and switch hands a little. He is also a little more vocal today in his cage. I may try again later this afternoon and see how his response is for a second time during the day. Violetcloud, I am just curious, do you take Zeb out of the tent now, or are u still working in the tent? The other thing I have noticed is now Pickle won't step up at all when not in the tent? He was chirping pretty madly, so I went over to talk and see if he would step up and he was climbing to get away. Very thankful for a nice visit today. Thanks as always for your kind words everyone and your patience as I feel like I'm on here like a moody pre-teen:)
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