For some reason Ollie for the past two days has been resisting stepping up on my finger. He backs up and will hang on the side of the cage, and if I insist on him stepping on to my index finger, he will put his beak around it and gently clamp down. He's not really biting me. I try not to force him when he is doing this.

Is he testing me? Is he content staying in the cage? Should I honor his wishes or should I demand him to carry out the command?

He just turned 5 months old on 6-27-07, and today is the start of the second week home.

I would be persistent. If a bird only learns and does one thing consistently, it should be step-up. Ignore the nip he gives you and when he does step up praise him in a very excited way. Don't ever let him get away with not stepping up after he nips. This will only teach him that nipping will get him his way. Once you say "step up", he needs to know that he has to do it. In the case of an emergency you need to know that your bird is going to step up when asked.

Thanks Camille,

I went back to his cage before reading your reply and I made him step up on my finger. Once I got him out of the cage he was good. I asked him to poop and he did it right after and I praised him for it. I doubt he was following my command, but it was good that I was at least able to praise him just after my command was given.

I appreciate all your help as well as the others on this forum. It is really helpful to have a place like this to go to for help. As a first time grey owner I have a lot to learn.

i just saw that ollies birthday is the same as tobys...toby will come out for me but not my daughter who tries to get him out but he really refuses...so i told her to be presistant also....will see if it works tomorrow for her

I recommend practicing step-ups with Ollie in a neutral room, far away from the cage. Use lots and lots of praise when Ollie complies. Birds just love to be praised -- they do like to please, especially as babies. Good luck!

I usually spend most of the time with Ollie right next to his cage. The cage is situatted by the arm of the couch. Do you think I need to take him a different room when spending time with him? I have read before that training should be done away from the cage but I'm not sure why.

Their cage is their home, their haven. Many birds will go to great lengths to defend their territory. By removing the bird from their comfort zone you can eliminate their instincts to defend what is theirs. It can help alot with training.

I definitley agree with taking them away from their cage to a neutral room. And praise, praise, praise is the best thing you can do. Scarlett really responds to it and knows when she is being good she gets lots of attention.

I also have a bird that defends his cage, he will not let me come in the cage and pick him up. Out of the cage he will do anything for me. Keep practicing the step ups and your bird will be a pro in a matter of weeks.

You may not have to spend all your fun time with him out of view of his cage. You're going through a period right now where you'll both be working out what works best for the two of you. If you're noticing a little too much attitude when you're playing right next to the cage, try a different location and see if it helps.

I am a firm believer in sleep cages and play (daytime) cages. Mine leave their sleep cages in the morning and do not return to them until bedtime. I see no aggression or attitude from mine in their play cages, that I had experienced when they ate and played in the same cage they slept in. They are not defending the roost so to speak, because they do not roost (sleep) in their large play cages.

I agree with what others have posted; I would definitely do your fun training and reward sessions away from his cage in a neutral area.