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Post by reajen01 on Mar 28, 2015 21:31:42 GMT
Well, he has been here for 36 hours and the taming/training is going almost too well.....
I have been careful about rest breaks between t/t sessions and have only approached him when he seems active, but I seem to have him stepping up within the freedom of my lounge diner already, is this normal?
There have been minor dramas but by staying calm and using the Hezz technique, he seems to trust me to rescue him and put him back in his cage before we move onto further sessions. In fact this evening he became confused and ended up upstairs in the office, he landed and I quickly picked him up (Hezz, again, you Goddess, you!), talked to him calmly, then put him on the top of his cage, he ruffled, so I winked and squinted.....then he hopped out onto my finger! Amazing!
We then did a very slow, calm chattmuchly tour of the house, using the great attention diverting techniques I read on here, and I don't believe it myself but he was quite happy. Even preening, winking and grinding on the way - I will admit the bathroom is boring......
THEN, he was up for a step up lesson on my finger for millet, so we did step up and down, over and over until he was tired.
I am absolutely beaming with joy, please, somebody pass me a large white wine to calm me down!!!!
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Post by reajen01 on Mar 28, 2015 21:47:39 GMT
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Post by suesbird on Mar 28, 2015 22:45:38 GMT
Brilliant, isn't it a good feeling when they trust you. I love their hot little feet. Well done
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Post by Hezz on Mar 29, 2015 1:11:48 GMT
You mentioned in another thread that you remember there being a "naughty" phase they go through. It always happens, so be prepared. I would suggest you keep his out of cage time confined to a small room still, for a while so you can teach him to step up and step down, go home etc without following him all over the house. If he doesn't go through this, then I would have to say there is something wrong with him!  This usually happens after a week or so, once they feel comfortable enough to let their true personality come to the fore.  And then you will need to watch for the terrible teen tantrums where he decides that your fingers are only good for one thing and that is to bite.  |
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Post by reajen01 on Mar 29, 2015 9:09:11 GMT
Thanks Hezz, I remember the naughty phase all too well, as a kid it was the time I lost interest and gave up. Fortunately my childhood budgies remained relatively tame but they became the type to come out of their cage, chatter and interact but never really touch humans at all.
I know all too well that Douglas will most defiantly go through this, and I am prepared! Already, using your technique, he is far more amiable to being handled than any of my previous buds, who from memory, would scream and protest when picked up. Douglas just seems to wait to be put back in his cage, where there is always millet on hand to reward him.
I have also focused on 'being the boss', I have been putting him back on a perch before he decides to himself, always rewarding with a bite of millet (for every good action, no telling off for not doing things, just no millet).
So I am anticipating his teen-hood etc and will respond accordingly. My poor fingers.......hehe
I must tell you though, I brought him out this morning, on a hand held perch, he was chattering and skeeting towards my face (the two footed shuffle along the perch which I adore), so I stayed still and pouted for a kiss....then he pushed his whole body to my face, so I 'snuffled' him, clicking and making kissing noises. Well! It was nearly budgie porn! He moved himself so I was able to kiss and snuffle his whole body (almost like a cat rubbing up against things). I love my bud!
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Post by reajen01 on Mar 30, 2015 10:38:10 GMT
Well Douglas has certainly found his voice! We were treated to about 10 minutes of full song and chatter at breakfast this morning. He continues to make great progress, we managed repeated step ups last night, he seems more amenable to handling once the room starts to get dark, I'm guessing because it make him calmer and he finds it easier to focus? He has also taken well to the OH who, despite the mickey taking  , has been making the effort to talk to him and wink lots. Douglas even stepped into his finger from mine which was so sweet. I am noticing that Douglas loves to be near my face and likes to be kissed, I'm not sure about the health issues regarding this, for me and him, but he is irresistible and I can't help myself giving him a quick kiss! The new cage arrives tomorrow, as does the air purifier, this house is basically being transformed to accommodate him, who'd have thought a little bird would cost me a fortune! |
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Post by OP on Mar 30, 2015 10:47:50 GMT
It's just that we don't own budgies, they own us. He is training you well. |
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Post by suesbird on Mar 30, 2015 11:49:46 GMT
Everything has changed here, even more so at the minute with Pippins scabbed chest, I trying to make everything with no sharp corners or edges. My prized plants have gone, new table made to accommodate a larger cage, my hobby light is now the birds sun bulb holder. It does get worse.  |
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Post by reajen01 on Mar 30, 2015 12:10:36 GMT
Oh suesbird, whats a sun bulb?
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Post by suesbird on Mar 30, 2015 12:29:36 GMT
It's an artificial day light bulb especially for birds, you put it on for 4 -5 hours a day and they get vitamin D for their bones, as sun shine rays do not penetrate glass for them to get it. The other way is to put them outside for a couple of hours a day, not good in our weather. I know it is an Arcadia bulb and I bought mine from Northern Parrots. The difference in Jo in a week was unbelievable. Pippin just getting used to it so he does not get the full spot light on him. If you check the boards for Arcadia bulbs there is a section on it, it is a wide screw bayonet bulb so you needs a holder with that type of fitting. I use my hobby lamp but I know others have a large clip to clip it on. I think I have covered everything, someone else will help later |
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Post by jellybean on Mar 30, 2015 12:37:15 GMT
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Post by reajen01 on Mar 30, 2015 13:33:29 GMT
Great thankyou, I shall have a look into it
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Post by OP on Mar 30, 2015 14:18:24 GMT
Be careful and don't look straight into it, you should wear sunglasses to do that. If you stand too close to it for a long time you could get sunburn.
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Post by reajen01 on Mar 30, 2015 14:30:51 GMT
Hahahaha!  |
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This usually happens after a week or so, once they feel comfortable enough to let their true personality come to the fore. 
And then you will need to watch for the terrible teen tantrums where he decides that your fingers are only good for one thing and that is to bite. 
, has been making the effort to talk to him and wink lots. Douglas even stepped into his finger from mine which was so sweet.
