Eh, what am I doing wrong?

[Mr.Palmisano]

Okay, so I've had my lovie for about 8 1/2 weeks now (roughly). I visited here several times, and posted, and whatnot. I think I may be making progress, but I don't know.

If I set the cage on the ground and open the door, he will come out of it. The only problem is getting him back in it. I have to chase him around the room, and it scares the **** out of him. Then, for the next few days, I won't be able to go near his cage at all without him freaking out. He was on top of his cage, and I went over to him and he ate some millet out of my fingers, so I'm happy. I can't touch him at all. Maybe I'm expecting to much? I don't know.

[archer]

It will take time... With my new lovie it took me about 2 months before he approached me but he didn't allow me to pet him...

Now it has been 4 months... my hand can go very near him but it should never brush him or else he will freak... I guess it takes time to trust hands ( I guess they got traumatized when they saw the same things trying to capture them when we bought them)

But I am sure it will be fine... just relax :) I am sure with enough patience, you will be able to put your lovie in a love spell :)

[bellarains]

Yep,

Patience is key in taming. I would however suggest a wing clip, or at least a couple of more flights clipped if they he is clipped already. Chasing him around will definitely freak him out, and if he can't zip, and zoom, you won't have to chase him down;)

On a positive note, him coming out of the cage is a good thing. After each session out, don't forget to reward him with a little treat, and praise him in excited tones, telling him what a good boy he is:D

[butterfly1061]

If I set the cage on the ground and open the door, he will come out of it.Try setting the cage on a small table or your bed. Teaching your lovie to be on the floor can be very dangerous. If you use a table, maybe offer him some millet outside the cage where he can see it so he will be tempted to come out. :2cents:

[BarbieH]

Another thing you can do is to work in a smaller room. He won't have so many opportunities to get into trouble, which is probably your biggest fear. I always worry about my birds getting underneath furniture if they go to the floor. Working in the bathroom helps solve this problem.

Try to get him in there every day. He will start to get used to the routine, and used to seeing you there with him. He will come to accept that you won't harm him.

You're making good progress! :) Trust builds up over time, and all of a sudden, the bird makes a leap of faith.

Best wishes,

[Mr.Palmisano]

Ah, thanks everyone.

And, when I said about chasing him around, I mean on the ground, because he likes to hop everywhere, and I don't want to be rough with him.

[Christine9]

With my new lovie it took me about 2 months before he approached me but he didn't allow me to pet him...

Now it has been 4 months... my hand can go very near him but it should never brush him or else he will freak... I guess it takes time to trust hands

While I am sure there are some lovies out there that are cuddly, lovies generally are not cuddly birds, so I wouldn't worry too much if he doesn't let you pet him. Most of mine won't let me touch them or "scritch" them, as some people call it. As long as they step up with no problems, that's the most important thing, in my opinion.

Ironically enough, though my lovies aren't cuddly, they do want to be with me 24/7. They are ALWAYS climbing all over me. They just don't enjoy being touched. So I guess it's a trade-off situation.

[archer]

I cannot blame my other lovie.... Imagine? Being captured by hands? but if it is a stick that I am holding... he usually steps... so I guess that is ok... and he east anything i hold to him :)

The one in my avatar is tame... she usually flies to me... Good thing too! Her partner fcomes near to me because I think he feels I am safe because nothing happens to his partner. :)

**I hope that made sense

[sdgilley]

Hi Mr. P,
When my boys decide they don't want to return to their cage, I dim the lights. I don't put them in total darkness, but it changes their attitude about returning to their cage. Sometimes I can just say "cage" and they return. If now I say "okay, now" and turn off some of the light in the room. They are already confined to my bedroom - it's safe and they can fly around it. Once I dim the lights, they go to their cage and go inside it. This has taken some time, I've had them for around 3 years.

A word of caution: if you're allowing your bird to hop around on the floor, that's a very dangerous habit. I'd make him a play gym or something and put it up on a table or your bed to give him someplace else to go. My Luka was a floor runner when I got him, but I've broken him of that completely. It was funny to see him waddle, but it's just not worth the risk of him being stepped on.