I've had Ziggy for 10 days now, and he's in quarantine and getting tamed/trained. He's really come a long way in the last 3 or 4 days now. He comes right out of the cage and sits on the perch I have on the outside of his cage. He steps us with very well, and has no signs of any real fear anymore. I think he has come farther and faster then Pogo did at this point. He's even letting me kiss his chest now without much fuss at all. Time to start more talking lessons now.

Youtube video link:
YouTube - Ziggy - After 10 Days at Home

Good Job & Good Bird
That was very sweet. He was very calm - almost pensive in a way but very tuned-in to you. He hopped back into the cage very happy to be 'free' of training. They all act like that.

It kind of reminds me of the days i was training my dog - how hard she worked - very focused - but would literally jump for joy when i gave the command that the lesson was over.

You have a great voice - very soothing & gentle. I liked the kissey sounds too - they were nice & reassuring.

I think a lot of your success comes from the voice & consistent use of language. I think the rest of us often forget these simple tools.

Ziggie is a darling. I keep thinking i should have worked harder with Rio when he was on his own. It's never too late & as i have some free time right now I'll use your inspiration to work with him this afternoon.

Do you think there is a best time of the day to work with them?
I'll try when he's hungriest - like i did with recall & Laker - I'm thinking ... I didn't use this technique with Laker when he learned step-up. Rio knows step up - he just chooses to fly away, except at bedtime.

Jac & Judy -- thanks for the comments. Ziggy has surprised me too on how well he's tamed down considering I've only had him here 10 days.

Jac -- Yes, I think that "sweet talking" while handling them really helps. Now when Ziggy hears me talking down the hallway or in another room he gets all excited and wants to come out of his cage. He's obviously bonded to me to some degree already.

I've noticed with Ziggy that he trains better after he's been up for awhile. First thing in the mornings doesn't seem to work as well as later in the evenings. I've got Ziggy to sit on that outside perch, now that's where he naturally goes when outside his cage ... probably because he feels the safest there, even though he could fly anywhere in the room. When he's on that perch (like in the video), he lets me pet him and steps up repeatedly very well. It's been a great way to train him IMO.

Yes, it was funny how Ziggy shot back into his cage. You can tell he feels the safest inside the cage. But what's a good sign is that after he's inside the cage for awhile he wants to come out when I go into the room to visit him. I'm really happy on how Ziggy is turning out so far ... couldn't ask for more.

Sounds like good progress. Afternoon or night training seems to work better. The mornings they too happy and infected with the joys of morning.

Ziggy is doing great. What a sweet bird. You should be very proud.

I left Ziggy's cage door open for a while today and closed the door to the room to see what he would do. I came back 10 minutes later and he was sitting on his outside perch. This is good progress, as I want him to feel comfortable outside his cage and come out by himself.

thanks everyone - i think the afternoons & evening are better as well - upon reflection. They are also more social in the later part of the day.

Laker loves to hang out in his cage - even tho he can be out all day - maybe old habits but the cage is their own room or haven. If he is closed in there he really is unhappy & does his body bobbing [he literally moves his whole body back & forth & beaks the door] by the door.

I am really enjoying hearing about Ziggie's progress. It inspired me. I worked with Rio this afternoon & he did step up & even flew to my should a few times - although i each time i was simply asking him to step up!. Laker was showing off by 'coming' to me across the room - Rio was watching so maybe his flying to my shoulder was his interpretation.

Good job homebird ... it just takes time and patience to get any bird trained. If Rio can be trained alone it would probably work out the best, and hopefully Rio and Laker aren't so bonded that they can't stand not to be together all day.

Yah ~ I have done some training alone with him in the past. He really bonded to Laker when he was as young as Ziggie & he had to be alone or he didn't focus at all. He couldn't even handle having anyone too close to Laker - would chase Laker around, jumping on his tail to get him moving - being a total pest. [he still does this a bit]

When he was about 6 months old he gained a level of maturity where he started to seek out my husband & I - due in part to Laker's continuing sneaking off to be by himself, in another room & being quiet & not answering Rio's contact calls [poor baby - i really wondered if we now had 2 lonely Budgies instead of 1]. Rio welcomed our companionship because of it. He will hang on my hair like a barrette but still avoids step-ups!

I'm thankful that right now he will give me some focus even with Laker in the room. Laker helps too - Rio can see that step-up doesn't always mean bedtime.

Keeping your birds separate & you being away working must intensify the birds' interest in you. I know you don't go to those lengths to 'create' that effect but it seems to affect them none the less.

I am almost as bad as you - i can't wait until they start interacting. Boy the photos & videos will be fierce then!