I started to seriously try to train my two budgies Soda and Pony. I took them out separately to work on them and it has done miracles after only one day! Soda went on my finger with no real problem, huge surprise, and even went on my shoulder. Of course I wasn't thinking about the fact that he hadn't pooped in a while so I got a little present on my shirt. No big deal of course. Soda was so cute on my shoulder, although he was a bit insecure. We'll keep working on that!

Now Pony was a huge surprise for me. In the beginning, everythime I came near her she flew away in panic (I have never tried taming her before). Within 15 minutes she was on my finger and not freaking out at all!

I am so excited to try again tomorrow, I have been warned about set backs, but I am ready to conquer the world!...Or just the budgie cage.

WOW! That's fantastic! You could probably do a few short taming sessions a day.

Really? I could do more than one? OMG, how cool!

As long as you keep them to 10 - 15 minutes. Short sessions mean they don't get so distracted and bored.

Of course. I think it's too late for today, but tomorrow I could do two for each. I have nothing else to do.

Congratulations on your breakthrough! It's so wonderful the first, second, fifth, five thousandth time they do that of their own free will. Actually, several shorter sessions per day would be better than one or two longer ones, because budgies don't have very long attention spans. It gives them more reinforcement and more of a chance to retain what you are teaching. Just remember to always end with compliance. If you tell them step up and they don't, keep doing it until they do (even if it's only for 2 seconds) and then end the session with lots of praise. That way, they equate doing it right with something pleasant. Keep posting about your progress!

I can tell how thrilled you are! Well Done with the good work.Have you thought about doing some one to one sessions as well?

Julie

What do you mean by one to one sessions?

I had the first sessions with Soda and Pony today. The both stepped up willingly, it took a bit of work with Pony.

How do I get them to feel more comfortable with me? They won't eat millet anymore out of my hand and their poo has become liquid because they are so nervous. I do nothing to frighten them and always talk softly and move slowly.

By one to one I mean taking them indivdually into a small room where they are always within easy reach e.g. bathroom(windows closed,toilet lid down).They are usually easy to reach wherever they perch and tend to come to you for security.

One on their won't startle the other that way.

I would be surprised if nerves would make their droppings runny-you need to keep a close eye on that.

julie

I do do that. I take them into the bathroom and that's how I work with them.

I'm sure the nervousness is making the droppings runny because as soon as they go back in the cage, they are fine...

Soda is very confident with being on my hand at the moment, but in the cage he still runs away from me. What can I do to change that?