I think that since he won't step up for you then the floor privileges are taken away... and he is promptly put back into his cage...

All the time telling him why he is going back to the cage...

Do that for three or four times with persistency and he'll wise up to what's going on...

Amazons when hormones kick in and they will one day, needs to be taught the step up command before that time comes, and he needs to follow the command... otherwise he could terrorize the floor space for all the family...

he's the bird... you're the flock leader... you take charge ....

You've had him for 10 days. It may be a little soon but I definitely would not allow him to walk around on the floor. Way too easy to step on them. Right now you are very aware but when you've had him for a long time you could forget and smush him. It has happened to more than one bird.

 

How do you approach him to step up? You need to be firm. Go straight up to him, put your hand down in front of his breast, say "Step up" and gently push your hand into his belly. You will at some point get bitten, but that will happen whether you try now or later. Don't back off though, or he wins.

 

If you absolutely cannot do it, get a stick or perch like his cage perch and step him up onto that.

 

I don't think it is too soon since he is coming out of the cage.

 

I have a 20+ year old wildcaught pionus who had never been handled. She had been in a shop for 2 and half years when I got her. I presented an apple branch for her to step on, then gradually, over a week's time, I slid my hand closer and closer to her feet. In a week she was stepping onto my hand. I will admit that she is a very mild mannered bird compared to all the amazons I have had.

Annie

I don't think you are rushing him. I allow the birds decide when they want to come to me for attention. With Kit this is all the time. With Rica is it a rare thing other that to get treats. The tiels vary. But- if one is on the floor, or somewhere else that I don't want them, I have them step up and don't take "no" for an answer. Most of the
time, just a low commanding tone of voice is enough to get them to step up. I have gotten pinched a couple times (Rica) but when I didn't back off, she stepped up. I just think there are times a bird should be allowed to choose whether they want attention, but there are others when they must respect your authority and do as you ask. This is just my opinion though, and may not be a good idea for everyone to try.
After Mollie &  Baby Bug's accidents, I am very leary about allowing birds on the floor.

Amazons are big bluffers. 

 

 Let me guess.....he's been on the floor, you've tried a few times to get him to step up, but rather than get into a battle over it, you've let him have his way.  The first time it happened, he was thinking something along the lines of "Wow, that worked well, I'll have to try that again next time!".  And the second time, he was thinking"Ahaaa!  I've got the upper hand and I can get what I want!"

 

"Step-ups" are something that can't be negotiable.  They MUST learn that it's a requirement.  Next time he's on the floor, approach as Annie suggested, hand touching his chest, say in a firm but not scary voice "Step up".  Very helpful to use your free hand to come along the side, which will be just enough to throw him off guard and he'll be more concerned with that hand than the one he is supposed to be stepping onto.

"Step-ups" are something that can't be negotiable

 

What Goodbird said is the absolute truth.  I find it usually isn't the birds fault but the way the person tackles the problem.  Usually people that don't have this problem usually don't hesitate but just do the motion. 

 

I am always correcting my hubby.  He places his hand there like it is a choice.  He hesitates also.  If you go to do the motion of putting your hand there there is no turning back.  They eventually realize it isn't a choice and just step up.

 

The first time you stick your hand there to try and pick him up and you take it back cause he doesn't want to get up you have sent mixed signals. 

 

My bird has a choice if he wants bothered or petted but not when I really want him on my hand.  He then knows the rules and we get along great. 

 

If you are scared of him (and he knows) then try to stick train him to get up.  Also I don't say anything when I'm returning a bird to his perch after he flys or glides down.   And he always goes straight back to where he started.  I really had to enforce that with hubby cause he would pick the bird up and talk to him or set him somewhere else.  The bird was getting exactly what he wanted. 

 

Indy

I believe in telling them exactly what it is I want them to do..

Hasn't failed so far... My birds know what they can do and what they can't do, what is expected of them and they've always had bounderies...

 

I need Sherry and Nay to step in here and attest to my having well adjusted/behaved birds...

 

But I do "talk" to them about why something is happening .. since we all agree they are intelligent then I assume they can understand... my words and body language...

so Patti don't show fear... that they can pick up on that immediately...