Well, it was so nice tonite to be able to get Cleo from her cage to another area of the house while I took her cage outside to spray it out. She easily got on the perch and rode to her old room and sat on the playtop in there while I sprayed her cage down good. Then, I left it on the front porch to air dry and she was content in her old room playing with a big cardboad box. We had supper and she was begging to come in to eat with the flock, so I got the perch and brought her in there. She loved that. Then, I took her back to her room on the perch.
Later in the evening, we settled back in the living room where her cage is now. I thought I'd put the squeeze on her to get on my arm to "go home". She wouldn't have any of it. We were laughing/talking in the living room and she wanted in there badly. After several repeats of her begging to go in, I offer my arm, she bulldog growls and pops me, I got the perch.
BUT>>>>>>
I reversed the perch training I started months ago where I would substitute the perch for the target stick I used for clicker training. I would put the perch up my sleeve, and alongside the target stick (pencil) that she loved and eventually lengthened the perch longer than the pencil and removed the pencil to get her used to the perch.
Tonite, I took an older, smaller perch from an apple tree and cut it short. Short enough that it was only about 4 inches sticking out for her to stand on while I held the other part in my hand. I plan to gradually pull the perch back into my hand until there is very little left sticking out for her to stand on and she'll have to use my hand, but very gradually and with plenty of treats.
I am 100 percent positive she'll hate this and I am sure I need to have the bloodbank type and crossmatch me for a possible transfusion. Blood will fly before this is over. LOL.

But, getting her on the perch wasn't easy either, but now she does it and she is MUCH more comfortable with me and trusts me and I'm trusting her to beak me but not completely eat me.
And I'm encouraged that she DID ride on my hand yesterday without a big problem. She can....

Tonite, she got on the 4 inch perch to "go home". But it was not without a couple of cobra pops that she can lay on me. Then she's fine. They are not too bad, just sort of warnings. I just ignore them and use my "inside scream" that I've developed.
Regardless, it sure was nice tonite to be able to move her safely when needed to clean her cage, to the supper table and back.
It's a good thing we all like these burdz huh?

**I share these stories for lurkers and in hopes that it might help someone else in working with their birds...to offer encouragement and specific ideas. .
Mark

Mark, you always make your little stories so interesting and with a twist of humor besides. How would any lurker resist trying your methods.

I must agree, your stories are entertaining.

I just love the stories and the success behind them. I think we all donate a little blood sometimes.

I don't know about lurkers, but it sure helps me, as my two Alexandrine's are hand shy until they come off of their cages, and then they don't mind being on my arm. But your stories are sure helping me cope with my training. Thanks oodles for sharing your stories.

Hug's
Judy

I enjoy your stories too. You're making fantastic progress with Cleo!