Helllp!!!!

This is what I do for training...

1. put a small spray of millet in the cage. Make sure that they like it and will eat it.

2. Then I would sit next to the cage and talk to the p'let. Just get them used to your presence.

3. Once they seem comfortable (not holding still, moving away from you, etc), then
i would move to having my hand in the cage, usually holding a spray of millet towards the p'let... hand just in the door. Keep the hand there for about 5 minutes or so. Repeat throughout the day here and there for 5 minutes. Once you start noticing that the p'let is relaxing, you can try moving your hand very SLOWLY closer towards the p'let. Or you can wait and see if he'll become interested in the millet and move to eat it (I usually choose a very long piece of millet for this purpose).

4. Once he figures out that your hand isn't coming after him and so what it's on the other end of the millet, you can slowly shorten the stick of millet so that he's forced to be closer to your hand when eating the millet. Also gradually move your hand further into the cage. Note, all this time, you are watching his body language and not pushing him further unless he's comfortable with what you are doing now.

Eventually, you'll be able to get him to eat from your hand (millet stick very short) and then work it so that he would have to lean over your finger to get to the millet. Also, you have to be very patient, it takes a lot of time and training to get a bird to trust you. I took in a 3 year old untamed p'let and it took me about 1 month to get him to step up, which I consider amazing... but then I was able to bring him to work with me and worked on his training throughout the day for 5 minute periods here and there when I had a break. There are some people on this board who have worked for months with only a little progress- each bird is going to be different and progress with vary.

Also, it does help if you have a large cage door (for when the p'let steps up and you try to get him out of the cage)... I find that my guys initially will grab the top of the door and go back into the cage if the door is small.

Good luck.

PS. Also, if you search youtube. There's a nice video with budgies about millet training.

I hate to sound mean, and forgive me if I do, but, you probably took yourself back to start with your bird. Trying to get a bird to lay on its back is just about the last "trick" they accept. Think about it: teeny little pile of feathers is being made to make himself totally vulnerable to this giant with the big hand that he is still slightly afraid of. Of course he knows danger when he sees it and he probably won't let THAT happen again!! And now he's scared, he thought you would protect him and teach him how it feels to be safe. Safety and security before anything in birdy minds. When you start getting impatient try imagining that he is the human and you are the bird. I do this and believe me, it slows you right down!! It makes me want to cry when I try push my will onto Charlie and I stop and think like a little bird. It actually makes you feel terribly mean! Of course, I know that I am not a disciplinarian and I get carried away but.....Oh well, so what if my birdie never learns a trick and has me twisted around his little wing! I love him. Good luck with your training and just remember, patience, like months of it maybe....