Should I just do the thing

[blumuffin]

Ok so I know i'm posting a lot here but I have a lot of questions.
So should I just put my finger over my budgie's feet to get him to step up? I don't know whether it will destroy the small bond I have with him already. Please help

[skysmum]

Just put your finger above his feet without touching the feet and push it very gently back into his tummy above the feet, he should raise his foot to start the step up, say step up when he does

[blumuffin]

Feb 1, 2020 20:56:42 GMT skysmum said:

Just put your finger above his feet without touching the feet and push it very gently back into his tummy above the feet, he should raise his foot to start the step up, say step up when he does

Can i just use my clicker ot make a noise, i'm a bit embarrassed talking to them

[Hezz]

As skysmum says, just push against their belly, not over the birds' feet, with your finger. If they move sideways, try again. If they don't step, push a little harder, and they will either have to step or flap to hold their balance. You don't have to be harsh, but you do need to be firm and you do need to be persistent. I get the feeling you are expecting too much from them too soon, and patience is not your strong point.

I'm sure I've already said this before, but work on getting them to eat out of your hand and stepping up first. Talk gently to them all the time. I'm not sure why you would be embarrassed to do this - you'd talk quietly and gently to any pet, in this way a bird is no different. When you push against their belly, say "step up". They will soon learn to associate words with action, don't give treats until they have done what you are asking them to do - step onto your finger/hand.

[jellybean]

I love to talk to my two birdies, at night when I sit on the chair next to their cage I just have to whistle and Ben is over like a shot, he knows it's his night time chat with his Mum, and little Sam, my new wee boy is now hot on his heels, they both love to sit and listen to me prattle on.

I chat to them throughout the day, but the night time one is our SPECIAL time.

Never be embarrassed to speak to your birds, it's a great bonding process.

[Marianne Marlow]

Oh I talk to my budgies all the time!

Say good morning to them all when uncovering them in the morning. I ask them what they are doing when I walk past them. At night they all get a goodnight and pretty boy/girl individually.

I even say hello to pigeons sometimes!

[blumuffin]

Feb 2, 2020 0:31:14 GMT Hezz said:

As skysmum says, just push against their belly, not over the birds' feet, with your finger. If they move sideways, try again. If they don't step, push a little harder, and they will either have to step or flap to hold their balance. You don't have to be harsh, but you do need to be firm and you do need to be persistent. I get the feeling you are expecting too much from them too soon, and patience is not your strong point.

I'm sure I've already said this before, but work on getting them to eat out of your hand and stepping up first. Talk gently to them all the time. I'm not sure why you would be embarrassed to do this - you'd talk quietly and gently to any pet, in this way a bird is no different. When you push against their belly, say "step up". They will soon learn to associate words with action, don't give treats until they have done what you are asking them to do - step onto your finger/hand.

Ok. And you're right, patience is definitely not my strong point.

[skysmum]

Ohhh you have to talk to them, that's how they know who you are, they will recognise your voice in time and you will build that little bond with them. I have a special voice for my birds and a special, even sillier one, for the dog . But then when you get older you really don't care what other people think

[blue48]

I talk and sing to Bertie all the time. He listens when I sing and chatters along with me when I talk. It's no different to talking to a dog or cat and a great way of strengthening your bond.

[Jane]

Feb 2, 2020 14:40:07 GMT skysmum said:

Ohhh you have to talk to them, that's how they know who you are, they will recognise your voice in time and you will build that little bond with them. I have a special voice for my birds and a special, even sillier one, for the dog . But then when you get older you really don't care what other people think

When I talk to my dogs in my normal voice their ears go back and they look like they’re in trouble as like you skysmum I have adopted a silly sing song voice to speak to them 😂

[skysmum]

Feb 13, 2020 7:40:06 GMT Jane said:

Feb 2, 2020 14:40:07 GMT skysmum said:

Ohhh you have to talk to them, that's how they know who you are, they will recognise your voice in time and you will build that little bond with them. I have a special voice for my birds and a special, even sillier one, for the dog . But then when you get older you really don't care what other people think

When I talk to my dogs in my normal voice their ears go back and they look like they’re in trouble as like you skysmum I have adopted a silly sing song voice to speak to them 😂

That's the one , i am getting slightly more self conscious because Tilly is going a little def, i now have to shout it