HOW DID THIS HAPPEN??? Self Training?

[nisfornostalgia]

As I have said I have a very young parakeet named Paulie. I've only had him for 8 days & when I got him he had never been handled. But now he's letting me rub his belly & will step on my hand. He's even perched on my finger. The thing is - I have NO idea how he became this tame. He is in good health. I'm new to birdkeeping so I dont' know any training techinques except for what the petstore I bought him at told me. (Forced holding for 40 mins twice a day) but I did not like this idea, so I only did it for 2 days. Since I've only talked & petted him & cleaned his poo tray. Anyone got any idea? I mean I am glad he has been tamed so fast but I just want to understand how.

[Skyebirdsmom]

He may have been handled well by his breeder which makes him so accepting now. Or maybe he's just that way? Who knows. They are very intelligent birds. Please do not listen to anything your pet store told you...they are so ignorant. Never force a bird to do anything. They will love you and bond with you on their own, and on their own terms. Just show lots of TLC and you'll have a wonderful buddy for many years. And I've found that birds talk just thru you talking to them. You dont have to sit and repeat stuff over and over and over again...the bird would probably want to say 'shut up!' instead. They talk, if they are going to talk, just by listening to you talk to them.
Enjoy your bird, its a wonderful relationship!
Linda and Skye~

[nisfornostalgia]

Originally Posted by Skyebirdsmom

He may have been handled well by his breeder which makes him so accepting now. Or maybe he's just that way? Who knows. They are very intelligent birds. Please do not listen to anything your pet store told you...they are so ignorant. Never force a bird to do anything. They will love you and bond with you on their own, and on their own terms. Just show lots of TLC and you'll have a wonderful buddy for many years. And I've found that birds talk just thru you talking to them. You dont have to sit and repeat stuff over and over and over again...the bird would probably want to say 'shut up!' instead. They talk, if they are going to talk, just by listening to you talk to them.
Enjoy your bird, its a wonderful relationship!
Linda and Skye~

I got him at petsmart so I'm pretty sure that he had never been handled. He was in a cage with around 20 other Parakeets that were larger than him. In fact that's part of the reason I feel in love with him. I'm small myself (5ft 4in) so we're a perfect match. So far he's not verbal at all no whistles or anything, but he LOVES for me to talk to him & to watch tv (esp. the Nanny) - once again match. Thank you for ur insight :)

[LivingFiction]

That's great that you two are connecting so well! You have the right idea talking to him and spending time with him. The trick is to help him know you are not a danger. Remember that birds aren't like dogs and cats. Dogs and cats are predators, while birds are prey animals. Because of that they are instinctively on the look out for danger. Once they understand that you are not going to hurt them the relationship can progress rapidly. Keep up the good work!

[Franciscus]

Originally Posted by Skyebirdsmom

Please do not listen to anything your pet store told you...they are so ignorant.Linda and Skye~

Who is "they"?

[nisfornostalgia]

I talked to an online friend who has birds, he thought that where I wear alot of bright colors & have a high pitched voice that he might think that I'm just a big bird.

[basketbagley]

Congradulations on your new family member! Keets can be sooo much fun! I'd love to see a picture of your new pal if you have one to post!

Budgies are loving little creatures, if you love them, the will love you back - at some point and in their own way. So it doesn't surprise me that you have connected so fast with your new friend!

Keep up the good work!

[Skyebirdsmom]

"they" are the people at that particular pet store that told her to 'force-hold the bird for 40 min twice a day' . Plain ignorance, people should NEVER pass on information that they are not sure of.
Linda & Skye~

[nisfornostalgia]

To be completely honest I've been so warpped up in loving & petting him I haven't taken any photos yet. I will probably take some soon, as soon as I do I'll post them here :) Also I've noticed since I've gotten him home - his colors are brighter. I thought it was just me at first but my mom has noticed it too. Could that be due to better food than he was fed in the petstore? Or does that just happen sometimes?