Don't ever give the bird the opportunity to bite you. Think about the possible opportunities. Perhaps the time you try the "step up" when the bird is on its favorite perch is when it will be be tempted to bite you. This can be avoided if you go about the "step up" routine properly. Take your hand to the bird from below to just the right height all the while maintaining eye contact with it. Use a coaxing/ congratulatory tone. But when you have to be firm. Let the bird know your displeasure from the tone of your voice. Do not shout at the bird.

Another way of not giving the bird the opportunity to bite is to read its mood. Sometimes for reasons best known to the bird it Training will not be in the mood. Any one who regularly interacts with the bird can see this easily. At such times, let the bird alone. It's only when you force the bird to do things that it does not want to, it will resort to biting. Some birds are hormonal and biting comes as part of its character. In such cases, there is very little you can do to stop the bird from biting. In such cases use a stick for the "step up routine".

Another way to prevent the bird from biting is when it associates "step up" command with a good time and reward. Teach the bird basic tricks. You could try targetting, fetching, skating or whatever you can think of. And each time the bird does well, reward it with its favorite treat. This way, the bird associates "step up" with a good time and reward. This also lets the bird know that there is more to its life than mere "step ups" and "step downs". Clicker training is another way to stop the bird's biting habit. Clicker training is simple, fun and takes only a few minutes a Training day.

Biting does not come naturally to the bird. In the wild, they don't bite each other. They do show displeasure in their natural habitat by raising their crown feathers or by growling or feigning an attack. They don't actually bite each other. Even this show of aggression is only when their territory or nest is threatened.

Even in captivity, most birds show displeasure through body language. This happens when the bird is off color or feels threatened. In such situations its best to leave the bird alone and try to locate the cause of its displeasure. Biting behavior in Cockatiels can be because of myriad reasons. You may not be able to put a finger on one specific reason and say "this is it!".

Start the "step up" and "step down" commands when the bird is still young and it is still being hand-fed. Create a relationship with the bird. Make affection mutual. Fulfill all the bird's basic Training needs. Read the bird's moods and never give it the opportunity to bite.

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