Just some question about my budgie.

[budgzie]

Well I am trying super hard to finger train Bullie but there are some things I need to know:

1. People say that pushing a birds leg will make it step up, But when I do that to Bullie I can push quite hard and he wont budge!!! how to I get him to let go of the perch?

2. When I look at him he really starts to shake but I haven't done anything to hurt him, But I did have to hold him once when he got out of the cage....
This have been happening ever since the vet clipped his wings and the way he ws holding him did seem a little rough...

3. Do you think I should get him a friend? every one is telling my that but I don't really want to...... But what if he needs a friend?! I mean two of them have died and now I'm a little scared about getting another one.....

4. Clicker training.....what to do if they are scared of the clicker sound?!!

5.he has lots of toys but just sits there ALL day making little chirpy noises. Do you think he is depressed? I've got him a play center but he can't play on it until he is finger trained!!

I could use some help

[Tink131]

Hi,
I wouldn't make Bullie do anything he doesn't want to do- you have to earn his trust. I hope he's not on a millet diet. This way you can train him with millet and coax him onto your hand with the treat. If he's been eating he might not want to so you can try taking his food away for a couple of hours and then try. If he's afraid of the clicker you can put it in your pocket to muffle the sound until he gets used to it. After he's used to the muffled sound, then press it up against your body- this is a little louder, but not the full sound still. Take your time with Bullie, be patient.

[BigBird]

How old is the bird? Only easy to train them if you get them between 5 and 8 weeks of age, anything older than that will be a challenge. To do a step up nudge him against his chest not the legs.

[budgzie]

Originally Posted by BigBird

How old is the bird? Only easy to train them if you get them between 5 and 8 weeks of age, anything older than that will be a challenge. To do a step up nudge him against his chest not the legs.

I don't really know how old Bullie is but I'm quessing around 1-2 years?
he lets my stroke his belly sometimes to I will try that

[budgzie]

Originally Posted by Tink131

Hi,
I wouldn't make Bullie do anything he doesn't want to do- you have to earn his trust. I hope he's not on a millet diet. This way you can train him with millet and coax him onto your hand with the treat. If he's been eating he might not want to so you can try taking his food away for a couple of hours and then try. If he's afraid of the clicker you can put it in your pocket to muffle the sound until he gets used to it. After he's used to the muffled sound, then press it up against your body- this is a little louder, but not the full sound still. Take your time with Bullie, be patient.

He does have seed with millet in it
The clicker trick sounds good too
thanks

[Ashling]

1) Don't ever push on him- you'll make him scared (has that happened all ready?)

2) Don't ever stare at a bird- that is what a predator does, he'll think you wanna eat him and will make him nervous. < (don't do that...)

hehe If you saw me handling my budgie, you would probably call it rough- I'm gentle but with quick movements- I know exactly where to hold her, and how to rearange my hand, with her in it, to make her comfortable. I also know how to restrain her so she can't bite... It's an art! To a budgie that isn't used to being handled like that, it can be terrifying.

3) If he doesn't get tame soon, he'll need a friend... but I wouldn't give up if I were you, as then you'd have two untame budgies when I'm sure you just want a little friend to play with? Another option would be to maybe get a friend for him, and also get a new baby for you? A very young- just out the nest- baby. I was ten when I got my first budgie who was 4 days out the nest and she was really tame after a week. If Bullie is 1-2 years old, it'll be very hard for you to tame him, with little experience. He'd be great 'practice' (and a great friend too! don't get me wrong! ) for if you get a new baby anytime soon... you'll know straight away how to train it.
Anyway, just some thoughts for you!

[budgzie]

Thanks Ashling! :)

When Bullie gets trained I am really sure he will be a lovely budgie.... be let me stroke him the first day I got him, And he still does. I don't stare at if that much, Svolk told me to look at them and if they are looking at you too, Blink really slowly and if they blink back it means they trust you! :D
I'm not really wanting to get another budgie, I've got to many of my friends hating me for owning one as it is and telling eveyone that I killed my other two budgies!!..... some friends they are >:(

[budgzie]

Originally Posted by Ashling

1) Don't ever push on him- you'll make him scared (has that happened all ready?)

2) Don't ever stare at a bird- that is what a predator does, he'll think you wanna eat him and will make him nervous. < (don't do that...)

hehe If you saw me handling my budgie, you would probably call it rough- I'm gentle but with quick movements- I know exactly where to hold her, and how to rearange my hand, with her in it, to make her comfortable. I also know how to restrain her so she can't bite... It's an art! To a budgie that isn't used to being handled like that, it can be terrifying.

3) If he doesn't get tame soon, he'll need a friend... but I wouldn't give up if I were you, as then you'd have two untame budgies when I'm sure you just want a little friend to play with? Another option would be to maybe get a friend for him, and also get a new baby for you? A very young- just out the nest- baby. I was ten when I got my first budgie who was 4 days out the nest and she was really tame after a week. If Bullie is 1-2 years old, it'll be very hard for you to tame him, with little experience. He'd be great 'practice' (and a great friend too! don't get me wrong! ) for if you get a new baby anytime soon... you'll know straight away how to train it.
Anyway, just some thoughts for you!

Arg!! today I tried offering him treats but he would only eat the millet when I WASN'T holding it!!!
Where are you when I neeeeed you?!!!! I just want a budgie who will sit on my shoulder and let me give him scratches........ is THAT too much to ask?