Training Pizza!

[Linkto4]

Today I tried to millet train my buddy Pizza for the first five minutes, I'm not sure if that's long enough, but he doesn't like it. I flew everywhere in the cage, like he was panic. I first place the millet on my hand, open the front cage door, slowly bring in the millet toward him and he flew everywhere. He never try to come toward the millet at all. I pause my hand, still, for five minute while he continue flying the whole time in the cage. Tomorrow, I'm going to try starve him for a few hours and try it again? What do you guys think? Any helpful hints and tricks for me? I'm new at this...

[i♥mybudgies]

How long have you had your budgie for??

[LouLou]

I don't think starving him would be a good idea.

He needs to get used to your hand being there. Whilst you are doing this is it a good idea to take out any toys which he could hurt himself on if he flaps around a lot (they can be put back afterwards)

Has he had millet before? He might not know what it is. When i got my first budgie i would put millet in the cage so he could try it. Then, when he knew it was tasty stuff, the only time millet was in the cage was when i was holding it in my hand. Then he would slowly work up his bravery to come and get it from me.

The first thing your bird will feel is probably blind panic at a hand/strange objects in his cage, you need to give him time to get used to it, even if for the first few days you're only going into his cage to change food and water.

[Budgieloveee]

I strongly agree with Louise. Starving your budgie isn't going to help him earn your trust and make future training any easier!

Remember -- Pizza is more scared of you than anything right now. You have to first show him that you're safe and then start putting your hand in his cage. His cage is his home and the only "safe place" he knows of right now, so really earning that trust is key to a strong bond.

Use millet wisely! All birds love millet (unless they're an odd one! ;) ) but you just have to give Pizza time to get used to all his new surroundings! How long have you had him?

Also - take a look at the "Training" forum to get some really helpful hints about how to make the trusting and bonding process, leading up to training, easier.

Good luck!

[Linkto4]

At this point, I going to take your hints and tips and use it. leave my hands in the cage still, 16min. a day with trying to scare him. Add millet in so he can try eating it and get use to it about two-four weeks. Then stop, start training him. I will remove the toys during training. Thanks guys.

[LouLou]

Good luck! Keep us posted on how you're doing :D

[Linkto4]

I placed the millet in the cage for two nights already and he doesn't even acknowledge it... So iono...

[SpickyDavies]

patience, patience and more patience! you need to do it at his pace
i do not surgest removing his toys for training it's only going to make him more uncomfortable and you shouldn't be approaching him in a way to freak him out

you have to let him come to you don't keep getting closer...let him take that step

do short sessions dialy, 2 days is NOTHING

[Cheeno]

Yep, I totally agree, you've got to practice patience. Take a chair and a book, and sit and read, with your free hand just hanging in the cage. When he's used to your hand, maybe after a week or two, you can move onto the next step. If he senses impatience from you, you've an uphill battle, so mellow out!:) I wish you well with it.;)

How about some photos???:)

[Linkto4]

I hear you guys, I just leave the millet next to the food tray and hope he get used to it. I did place my hands daily 5-10mins a day in the cage still.

Photos of Pizza by click here... http://talkbudgies.com/showthread.php?t=58540

[Linkto4]

How long have you had your budgie for??

I only have him for 3 months.

everyone,
Today I came home from my one night away vacation, I inspect the millet, and he ate most of it. I'm going to continue feeding the millet(ofcourse with his real food in the tray too) in the cage for another two week and remove it.