Stepping up question?

[Cheeky beaks]

Can I use a glove or something else. He's terrified of towels. I suspect he was roughly handled with one. I can only now put a dishcloth within sight of him without him jumping all over the cage.
When I do try to make him step up I get a very firm beak on the hand and a look that says back off. He hasn't broken any skin but its very firm. I've been rubbing his toes when he's on the side of the cage and he's letting me do it a little when he's out. But I still have to back off from the up as he really has firm lol grip.

[Lynjupiter]

What kind of bird do you have?

Try using a perch to remove the bird from the cage. Push the perch gently against the upper leg, lifting slightly and say step up. When the bird moves away try it again. Eventually they catch on. Once you get the bird on the perch start making your way to the door. When the bird jumps off try again.

Please don't even try the glove. Most birds are terrified of gloves.
Lynda

[The Outlaw]

Another old birdkeepers trick is to wrap your hand and forearm in a couple of ace bandages. Just leave your fingers exposed. Offer the side of your protected hand up against his breastbone. Make sure it isn't too low. After all, you are asking him to step up. Give the step up command. You may have to use your free right hand and come up under the perch and tip his tail forward also. This will force him to step forward. Its all about the choreography. Immediately move him away from the cage. In fact, out of sight of the cage.

[Monica]

Just thought I should mention that this is what I believes is a goffins cockatoo...

Lots of praising when he is good, make it rewarding for him to come out of the cage (have treats in hand or something that he enjoys), maybe even sing him lullabies??? Sounds like he may be testing you, or just doing what may come naturally if he has learned to bite. If you can ignore the bites, try picking him up.

You can use one hand to try to distract him and use the other hand to put right above his legs (or even breast area) and firmly telling him "Step Up". It may be best to work with him out of the cage, though if you can't get him out, try when he is still in his cage. When he actually steps up, reward him with a treat and lots of praise. Then repeat. If he bites a bit to hard, tell him "Don't bite" or "No" firmly, or even try to reason with him that his biting is too hard and don't treat him. Once he steps up again, reward as if he was your way to fame!

[Cheeky beaks]

Originally Posted by Lynjupiter

What kind of bird do you have?

Try using a perch to remove the bird from the cage. Push the perch gently against the upper leg, lifting slightly and say step up. When the bird moves away try it again. Eventually they catch on. Once you get the bird on the perch start making your way to the door. When the bird jumps off try again.

Please don't even try the glove. Most birds are terrified of gloves.
Lynda

Sorry I didn't reply faster. I was so taken by the responce that I just kept reading it over and over. I'm going to start with the perch today. I raise cockatiels and senegals but Pedro the bird in question is a Goffin Cockatoo and we have one other Goffin named Little Bit.