"Step-Up" Bird Training

🐦 Totally Feline Training Log: Simon Simone
•Training Log: Teaching Simon Simone to Step Up

At Totally Feline, training is built on trust, patience, and positive reinforcement.
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•The Training Mindset training. Training Simon Simone uses the same core principles we apply with cats and dogs—

✔️ Consistency

✔️ Clear communication

✔️ Positive reinforcement—with bird-specific adjustments.
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•Why Bird Training Is Different. Birds don’t respond to physical cues the way mammals do.Too many hand gestures can be overwhelming or scary.Calm, minimal movement = better learning.
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•What “Step Up” Means“Step up” is a foundational bird cue.It teaches a bird to voluntarily step onto your finger—building confidence, cooperation, and trust.
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• Video 1: First Attempt. The cue is given once.If there’s no response, the hand is removed and re-presented.This “reset” gives the bird another chance without pressure.
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•Reading the Response.

In the first video, Simon Simone offered a mating-related behavior.That tells us the cue wasn’t fully understood—an important moment for learning and adjustment.
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•Videos 2 & 3: Progress. 

Confidence grows with each repetition.Even though the long-term goal is for Simon Simone to step onto my finger,my hand was perfectly acceptable in the early stages of training.Allowing flexibility helped build comfort and trust.
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•Video 4: Success A calm, correct “step up.

”This is the behavior we reinforce at Totally Feline:

✔️ Voluntary

✔️ Confident

✔️ Stress-free
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•The Goal of Training. 

Training should always be:

✨ Fun

✨ Positive

✨ At the animal’s pace 

Trust is the foundation—especially with birds.

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•What’s Next!

Next steps include:

• Burrito-style handling for safe restraint

 •Tower training

• Vet-visit preparation All recommended by Simon Simone’s veterinarian.

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•Totally Feline Philosophy At Totally Feline, training supports emotional well-being and real-life care needs.Progress happens one respectful step at a time. 💙
www.totallyfeline.com