Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Prepare for training
• Part 2 of 2: Training your bird
• Warnings
• Necessities

An important basic step for a bird owner to scare a bird less and to build trust between bird and owner is to teach a bird to walk; Training a bird also helps confirm your authority and prevent the bird from becoming territorial. While the steps are fairly easy, your success will depend on the bird's temperament and your patience. With patience and a gentle touch, parakeets and other birds can learn to step on your finger or hand.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Prepare for training

1. Exercise your bird 2-3 times a day for 10-15 minutes. Birds are creatures of habit and have a short attention span, so short that consistent training sessions are the best approach.
2. Find a comfortable place to exercise. Birds have a short attention span, so it is important to create a space with as little distraction as possible.
   • Birds that are confident or have already adapted may not need a cage for training. If the bird is nervous or unaccustomed to your home, it may be necessary to keep the bird in the cage during training.
3. Create a safe and comfortable environment. Close all doors and windows, turn off ceiling fans and other devices that could hurt the bird, and keep other animals out of the room.
   • Make sure you are calm and friendly while training your bird; if you are frustrated, angry, or nervous the bird is likely to get excited.
4. Prepare a special treat as a reward for your bird. When you calm the bird, get used to your hand, and teach it step-by-step command, it's important to reward the bird's performance. Rewards (such as fruits and nuts) should be specifically set aside for teaching step-on to your bird, and are foods the bird would not normally get.
   • Smaller, quick-edible treats can be given to your bird to soothe and encourage it as you teach it the command.
   • Using calming words and liberal praise will soothe and encourage your bird.

Part 2 of 2: Training your bird

1. Let the bird get used to your hand. Slowly put your hand in the cage (but not too close) until the bird is comfortable. Shy or nervous birds may require several sessions to get comfortable with your hand. Be persistent and always make sure to move slowly so as not to startle the bird.
   • Stand just above your bird's eye level to confirm dominance. Standing too high can scare the bird, and crouching too low can indicate submission on your part.
2. Offer your hand to the bird. Make sure you move your hand slowly and keep your hand steady with confidence. If the trainer is nervous, the bird will also become nervous, and if your hand shakes or you have the bird caught during these initial sessions, it will become reluctant or anxious to step on your finger.
3. Slowly and gently press your finger against the bottom of the bird's chest, just above its legs. Push a little so that the bird gets a little off balance. The bird will move a leg if it feels unbalanced. When this happens, put your finger under its paw and gently raise it - the bird will step on your finger or hand.
   • If the bird is nervous or biting, you can also start training with a wooden dowel until it is more comfortable.
   • A bird can use its beak to balance itself, or even bite your finger or hand. If that happens, don't pull away suddenly or show fear, the bird may get scared or see it as submission.
4. Encourage the bird to “step out”. Call the bird by its name when you say "step up" and praise it lavishly. Many birds, especially those that are younger, will step on your finger without much encouragement, as a finger is very similar to a perch.
   • When your bird steps up, praise it and give it a special reward that you prepared before you started. Even if the bird puts only one leg on your hand, you should praise and reward it.
   • With repetition and encouragement, the bird will learn to take command get up to associate with stepping on your hand or arm.
5. Repeat the workout with the other hand. Follow the same steps and let the bird get used to your weaker hand. Birds are creatures of habit and may refuse to step on your other hand unless you have taken the time to train them during these early days.
   • As your bird becomes more comfortable you can begin to remove it from the cage and then repeat the boarding training.
6. Train your bird with a stick. If your bird is shy or nervous and refuses to step on your finger or hand, use a wooden dowel instead.
   • Once the bird steps on the dowel, you can proceed with the stairs Technic. Hold your finger next to and slightly higher than the bird sitting on the perch and encourage it to step onto the new perch.
   • Let every step accompany with it get up command, and praise him lavishly when the bird follows your command.
   • Let the bird continue to step from dowel to finger to dowel until the training session is over.
7. Be persistent but patient. Birds have a unique temperament and can be shy or nervous, which is why it's important to be patient while exercising your bird every day.
   • Make the training sessions a routine. Your bird will learn to look forward to your joint training sessions.
   • Reward even small steps forward with prizes and rewards. Encouragement is the best way to put your bird at ease and to learn to follow your commands.

Warnings

• If necessary, cover transparent glass or mirrors, otherwise the bird could fly into it in a panic and injure itself.
• Some birds, such as the monk parakeet, are notorious for their territorial behavior and require a lot more dedicated training than other birds. Read books on training parrots and how to manage and minimize territorial behavior.
• Wild birds should not be removed from their habitat and it is not recommended to train wild birds.

Necessities

• A socialized bird. Most birds can obey this command, although finches and other "wild" birds may find it difficult.
• A quiet, comfortable room.
• Sweets