View Full Version : Sudden refusal to step up on my hand....
The rule at my house is a bird must step up on my hand (without biting) before being let out of jail. There is usually no problem, but for some reason today Leroy decided she was not going for the deal. The only time she stepped up was when I had a ball in my hand and she knew we were going to play ball.
There is no problem if one wants to stay in jail, but Leroy did the funniest thing a little while ago. I was near her cage and heard her say, "Leroy, up." I went to her immediately. I praised her as I opened the door of the cage. Leroy started to step up. She even got so far as to put her foot on my hand, then she remembered that she is boycotting stepping up today. I could just see the little wheels turning to say, "Poop. I wasn't going to step up her hand today." So she stepped back then reached to bite and I withdrew my hand.
TikiTalks
12-24-2007, 05:52 PM
Birds are amazing. They know what they're doing and you can just SEEEE they're little wheels spinning. I love the fact that I'm a bird brain now :) Leroy, the mothership telling you to boycott does not mean it's a good idea.
bonnie
12-24-2007, 06:08 PM
There are some mornings when Chicken will step up when I put my hand in the cage then there are mornings I offer my hand and he refuses. I have often thought this was strange, but when he refuses he comes out of the cage when he's ready so it doesn't bother me too much...
Larry, Baby and Me
12-24-2007, 06:52 PM
but when he refuses he comes out of the cage when he's ready so it doesn't bother me too much...
Ladies, I agree. Too many of the psycho-babble parrot books say a bird must always "obey" the step-up command. What a bunch of hooey.
Sometimes they just don't feel like it. And that is okay with me. It is called respect.
too&me
12-24-2007, 07:06 PM
I think we all know the I'm going to dominate you & control your behavior doesn't work any better on birds than it does on people. Just makes them & us sneakier or more prone to object! At least that is my experience. >:}
Ladies, I agree. Too many of the psycho-babble parrot books say a bird must always "obey" the step-up command. What a bunch of hooey.
Sometimes they just don't feel like it. And that is okay with me. It is called respect.
Yep, I just figured she didn't want out. So be it. Not a problem here.
Patty, Linus and Co.
12-24-2007, 11:27 PM
Sometimes they just don't feel like it. And that is okay with me. It is called respect.[/quote]
There are times when Linus just wants to climb out of his cage unassisted. What brings on this burst of independence? I haven't got a clue.
Patty
Birdlover
12-25-2007, 12:36 AM
:hyst: That is just too funny. You have to wonder what goes through their mind sometimes :rolleyes: Lancelot will do that to me occasionally. Typically she gives me the squinty Too eye and you can tell she's debating wether she should come out or just harass me.
bonnie
12-25-2007, 01:17 AM
There are times when Linus just wants to climb out of his cage unassisted. What brings on this burst of independence? I haven't got a clue.
That is EXACTLY what Chicken will do! If I'm trying to get him to step up and he refuses, I'll go do something that doesn't take long or I can stop in the middle of because I know that when does come out he will call me to come get him and the morning goes on as usual!