cant figure this out

[OWNEDBYAHAHNS]

my hahns macaw, roxy is very persistent on trying to walk up my arm to my shoulder every time i have her step up. how do i stop this? ive tried putting my other hand in her way but she just starts flapping and squaking, and crawls over my hand. help me please. i want her on my shoulder only when i put her there.

[Koki]

Time Out from Positive Reinforcement.

Just being on your hand is cool, your shoulder would be even better!

When she's on your hand, starts to move up, you have her step-up, she's still on your hand so hasn't lost any reinforcement.

Her postion is still as good as it was!

You have to set her down on a play-gym, perch, or cage and turn your back. Only for a second or two, as long as she's not screaming or making a rukus.

I have a similar problem with Pepper, I can't take her anywhere. No matter what I'm doing she wants to crawl down my arm onto my hands to get a better look at what I'm doing. Folding cloths, chopping veggies, whatever. Now I just shoulder and she moves up the arm, I say hand and she moves down the arm. If she doesn't, I calmly set her down for 3 or 4 seconds.

[FeathersNFur8]

When she is on your hand, put your hand up and elbow down. They won't (usually) walk down hill. V

Reinforce the good behavior for staying on your hand.

[my-africangrey-echo]

You can also put your fingers on top of her feet so she can't move off your hand. That's what I do with Echo. We even play a game where I flip him upside down and back up. Echo loves that game.. Probably because of the goofy noises I make when I do it..

[thejoie]

I wouldn't let my Hahn's on my shoulder until she was older and knew the rules. Don't let her on there under any circumstance until she knows the "no" command and works on her manners. Constant correction when she tries to get up there. With my Hahn's (named Mia..) whenever she'd climb up, I'd pull her back down... if she insisted and would cause drama (and let's face it she's a Hahn's.. she loves drama) I would give her a time out in her cage. Let her calm down in her cage, don't pay any attention to her throwing her fit. And then when she's calm again, bring her back out and try again. If she did it again and let it get out of hand again... then back in her cage. I'd do it as many times as it took!

Now, she's 7 months old and awesome! I can allow her to be on my shoulder because she never even tries to nibble my ear, climb on my head, pull my glasses down, or any of the other curious bird things she would do. She rides around on me all day long and she's great. Her favorite thing is to curl up under my neck and flip herself over and sleep there...
I love my Hahn's more than anything! They are such a smart bird. Repetition will help you train your little one. Not letting them get away with things, which is hard because they are so cute! But if your consistent you will get awesome results these birds are SMART!!

[OWNEDBYAHAHNS]

Thank you all for the help i will try it. wish me luck

[Barbara Heidenreich]

Hello,

I have two suggestions you may find helpful. It takes a little practice though.

If your bird knows how to target, you can target her back to your hand and reinforce her there. Now with her on your hand raise your hand so that it looks like you are carrying a pizza or tray. Pull your elbow in tight to your side. This makes your hand the highest point to sit and also makes it hard for her to climb down your arm to work her way to your shoulder.

Periodically reinforce her for staying on your hand so she learns there is value for sitting there. A food treat works well for this.

Hope that helps!