Bingo's Bonding/Training Journal

[Jon Ace]

Following Budgiekin's suggestion, I'll be keeping tabs on Bingo's taming here for all to see. I don't expect to update this daily. Only when we reach a milestone.

Milestones Reached (yet to reach)
- Left cage on his own
- Returns to cage with assistance (putting the cage entrance near him)
- Returns to cage on his own
- No longer fears human hands!
- Successful step-up!
- Successful shoulder-perch!
- First word!

---

Speaking of milestones...

Days since Bingo came home - 23

Today, while passing Bingo's cage, I decided to put my hand near Bingo on the outside of the cage. I expected him to move away from me, but instead he stood his ground. So, I put my hand inside the cage. To my surprise, he didn't freak out and flap wildly in the cage. He did move away though. I then moved a little closer with my finger extended. He nibbled on my finger and stepped up!... but quickly stepped down and scuttled over to the other side of the cage. He was trying to find a way around my hand, but this time he went on my hand.

So far, so good! :D

[Schnapperxx]

Heya Jonathan!

It's fantastic that Budgiekin (Kim) suggested keeping Tabs,
it's a good idea.
I ought to try it sometime!

Speaking of 'Bingo'.
My baby is called Bingo as well.
Whilst posting your tabs, you should add pictures as well. :rolleyes:

The two milestones you've completed is a step to bonding.
I love how your patient with your budgie,
some budgie owners just rush into it and grab their poor budgies.
So good on you,
have some karma :D

Oh my!
Fantastic that he's stepped up.
What does the beauty look like?
I might have to check out some more posts of yours. xD
Please continue updating on Bingo,
i'd love to hear more!

And the milestones he's reached, of course.
I'm sure with patience like yours,
you'll reach it in no time.
Time will fly when your having fun!

I hope to catch you around Jonathan,
you and your Bingo!
See you around the forum, i hope!

[MissBirdie]

This is a fantastic idea....i'll definitely be following it and trying to use a few tricks on Wilbur. Please can you include details on how you initially approached trainng as well...and how to tell if your budgie is completely comfortable with your hand in there? I know Wilbur gets annoyed...but i dont know if i should keep touching him or just let him be...when i do rub his tum, the feathers on his head settle back down and he sorta dozes :D

Looking forward to reading about your training/bonding sessions...

Good luck!

[Jon Ace]

Milestones Reached (yet to reach)
- Left cage on his own
- Returns to cage with assistance (putting the cage entrance near him)
- Returns to cage on his own
- No longer fears human hands!
- Successful step-up!
- Successful shoulder-perch!
- First word!


Days since Bingo came home - 29

Two milestones partially reached!

Bingo will now go onto my finger with hesitation inside his cage! This started happening once I figured he was comfortable with my hand in the cage 90% of the time.

The differences are as follows:

Then (Day 1 to Day 15(?)): Putting my hand in the cage resulted in Bingo thrashing around, flapping his wings wildly, and very heavy breathing; all the while avoiding my hand like the plague.

Now (Day 25ish to today): He'll immediately go to his favorite side of the cage and sometimes wait for me to put my hand in before stepping up (without any vocal commands).

Crude example:

http://imgur.com/1b0A5.jpg

The blue area is where Bingo usually perches.

The red area is the direction in which I point my finger so that my finger is perpendicular and horizontal to the white perch that Bingo is on in this picture.

Note: Before taking this picture, I did a little more training with Bingo, but this time, with vocal commands ("Up!").

Another interesting thing has happened in the last few days as well. My younger brother and sister (aged 18 and 12 respectively) took a shot at getting Bingo to step-up for them. Surprisingly, Bingo showed little fear and happily stepped up on both my brother and sister's finger. Hence, I believe Bingo is beginning to really trust humans in general.


Please can you include details on how you initially approached trainng as well...and how to tell if your budgie is completely comfortable with your hand in there?
Good luck!

In a nutshell, I waited at least a week after getting Bingo before I started putting my hand in the cage more than once in a day. Budgies may be different in regards to personality, but when it comes to fear, they act almost the same. If Wilbur gets very crazy when you put your hand in his cage, he's most likely fearful of your hand.

Since he let's you rub his tummy with out biting or avoiding your finger, then that's a good sign. When you say he "dozes", does he close his eyes? If he does, he likes it, but even if he doesn't and his head feathers settle down, he's getting comfortable regardless. :D


http://talkbudgies.com/photoplog/images/8221/large/1_DSC01364.JPGhttp://talkbudgies.com/photoplog/images/8221/large/1_DSC01363.JPG

[Jon Ace]

Milestones Reached (yet to reach)
- Left cage on his own
- Returns to cage with assistance (putting the cage entrance near him)
- Returns to cage on his own
- No longer fears human hands!
- Successful step-up!
- Successful shoulder-perch!
- First word!


Days since Bingo came home - 34

Just a quick update: Bingo steps up consistently inside his cage.

Also, yesterday, I took his cage and put it on my bed, which is about 3 feet or so away from the original spot. What he did was land where his cage used to be, notice that his cage is farther away, look at it with curiousity, and then look at me as if he's waiting for me to pick it up.

So I did.

He flew straight into the cage entrance and onto his perch. I didn't need to bring the cage to him.

Another milestone almost fully reached!

[MissBirdie]

Thanks Jonathan...sounds like you're making amazing progress...

I've got to the point where wilbur steps up but only when he sees a treat around! :D

Thanks for all your details...it's great to see...

Cant wait till Bingo says his first word!!! What are you trying to get him to say?

[Jon Ace]

Thanks Jonathan...sounds like you're making amazing progress...

I've got to the point where wilbur steps up but only when he sees a treat around! :D

Thanks for all your details...it's great to see...

Cant wait till Bingo says his first word!!! What are you trying to get him to say?


I'm going to try for "Hello!" first. :D

[Jon Ace]

Milestones Reached (yet to reach)
- Left cage on his own!
- Returns to cage with assistance (putting the cage entrance near him)
- Returns to cage on his own!
- No longer fears human hands!
- Takes food offered to him from a hand!
- Successful step-up!
- Successful shoulder-perch!
- First word!


Days since Bingo came home - 39

My brother, Joseph, must have the magic touch:

He's been able to hand feed Bingo seed and millet. He got him to step-up outside of the cage.

I have been lucky enough to replicate all the things he's done with Bingo. This budgie must be the kind who can withstand being bugged by numerous human trainers.


A few days ago

Bingo was outside of his cage, skittish as usual. My brother came into the room and decided to try hand feeding him outside of the cage. Since he was successful inside the cage, I told him it was worth a shot. Surprisingly, Bingo took the seed from my brother's fingers right away (remember, he's usually afraid of humans outside of the cage).

I then told my brother to try a small cluster of millet. Success! Bingo started taking seeds from the spray!

My brother then attempted to get Bingo to step-up while he was on top of his cage. BAM! Instant tame-sih budgie. It was like the hand-feeding was the final push for Bingo to trust humans.

Today

Since then, Bingo lets me put my finger near him with minimal fear. He even steps-up now! Today, I attempted to have him perch on my shoulder. It worked after just a few tries. He didn't stay on for long though because he saw his cage on the bed (I moved it there so he could walk on top of the armoire on which his cage sits) and flew to it.

While he was on his cage, I put my finger out and he stepped onto it. I then moved him - still perched - to the front of his cage. He happily jumped inside.

A very successful week overall. :D

[Jon Ace]

Milestones Reached (yet to reach)
- Left cage on his own!
- Returns to cage with assistance (putting the cage entrance near him)
- Returns to cage on his own!
- No longer fears human hands!
- Takes food offered to him from a hand!
- Successful step-up!
- Successful shoulder-perch!
- First word!


Days since Bingo came home - 49


Bingo is in love with his cage. He always likes to stay by it, either perched on the side or top of it. The positive thing is Bingo will not fly out of my room. I have accidentally left my room's door open twice while he has been out and he has not attempted to leave.

The negative is that he barely wants to leave his cage. He'll come out on his own, but not like my last budgie, who always wanted out and would screech at me if I didn't open the cage for him.

It's very true that each budgie is different. :budgie: