Steph
Weaned Todd
Joined: April 2005
Posts: 51
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Post by Steph on Apr 26, 2005 5:21:23 GMT -7
Hello,
I have has Silver for about a year now. I adopted her from an elderly friend. Silver is 22 years old. She is healthy and talks lots. About 6 months ago we moved house. Since then she has started screaming a lot and even biting. She bonded best with my husband straight away, but she has even nipped him a couple of times now. When I try to pick her up she climbs up like a good girl then turns and bites my hand hard! She draws blood and doesn't let go. I have nasty scars. I want to get her calm and trained.
Can anyone offer any advice?
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Preston
Super Talker
NEED HELP? WE WILL ANSWER AS FAST AS WE CAN (Note: Preston passed away in 2012. We hold his memories dearly, he was a great person and super moderator.)
Sisika and Pete
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 5,912
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Post by Preston on Apr 26, 2005 5:43:03 GMT -7
Unfortunatly since the bird is already trained it will take time for her to settle in. This is the second move in 6 months for a 22 year old bird, which is very traumatic for a Grey. Take it like you were back at square one and rebuild the relationship.
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Steph
Weaned Todd
Joined: April 2005
Posts: 51
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Post by Steph on Apr 26, 2005 6:27:13 GMT -7
Yea that's what I need to do. Because I didn't train her in the first place I feel in the dark a bit. Can you reccomend and good books / videos on training?
I also want to get her potty trained as she poos anywhere at the mo.
Thanks for your help
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Post by Jane on Apr 26, 2005 6:42:54 GMT -7
This was my reply when you posted about it before in the "left handed distraction technique" thread:
She had a major upheaval in her life, shortly followed by another one and this has left her unsettled, and unsure of you.
She will be able to pick up the fact that you are nervous of her so you must try to be positive around her. Maintain eye contact with her, this should help to show her that you are confident. Speak to her in a calm but firm voice and give lots of praise for good behaviour.
Regarding potty training, there is a description of it in the "Rocky" thread on the General African Grey board.
Jane
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Steph
Weaned Todd
Joined: April 2005
Posts: 51
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Post by Steph on Apr 26, 2005 8:16:48 GMT -7
Thanks Jane! Yeas I have been giving her the 'dirty looks' when she is being a bit naughty or I think she is about to bite me. I'm pleased to say I think it's working and she is getting the message that I am in charge. She comes when I call her now and if I say 'NO' she stops doing whatever it was.
I have one other problem - she is waking up really early when the other birds start singing. She starts screaming until someone gets her up. My husband works nights so he doesn't want to get up at 6am!
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Post by Jane on Apr 26, 2005 8:29:43 GMT -7
Have you got her cage covered? That might help although it depends what she is used to.
I am lucky, mine stay as quiet as mice until I go and get them up, winter or summer.
Jane
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Steph
Weaned Todd
Joined: April 2005
Posts: 51
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Post by Steph on Apr 27, 2005 5:04:27 GMT -7
Hiya,
Yes she is covered up at night. She is also in the spare room which has helped loads in the evenings. The previous owner kept her in the front room overnight.
If she starts screming really early, should I go straight to her and get her up or leave her for a while?
Thanks for all your help!
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Post by lidiam on Apr 27, 2005 5:16:21 GMT -7
Steph,
Is she in the spare room on her own during the day? If this is the case, she might be really frustrated (and made angry) by things she can hear but not see. She should be where she can be part of daily life, so she has a chance to get used to the rhythm of your household, not all on her own. If she is just in the spare room at night because it's quieter, that's grand, but not all the time. Put her and her cage in the part of the house where most goes on, the kitchen or sitting room or TV room.
Lidia
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Steph
Weaned Todd
Joined: April 2005
Posts: 51
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Post by Steph on Apr 27, 2005 5:22:42 GMT -7
Hello! No Silver is not in the spare room during the day, only when she goes to bed. She comes back into the front room with us first thing in the morning.  |
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Post by Jane on Apr 27, 2005 5:53:01 GMT -7
Does she have food available all the time, perhaps she is getting hungry. She might be used to getting up really early.
Jane
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Steph
Weaned Todd
Joined: April 2005
Posts: 51
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Post by Steph on Apr 27, 2005 7:54:45 GMT -7
Yes she has food and water bowls on her cage. sometimes she sleeps in for ages. I think she hears downstairs alarm clock which goes off at 6 and that wakes her up. I'm sure she just screams because she is awake and wants to see us. The screaming is an issue I am trying to takle anyway at the mo.
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Post by Jane on Apr 27, 2005 7:57:36 GMT -7
Ah, that might explain it. She probably wakes up and is then contact calling.
Jane
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Steph
Weaned Todd
Joined: April 2005
Posts: 51
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Post by Steph on Apr 28, 2005 5:31:10 GMT -7
Yes I think that's what it is. She slept until she heard me get up this morning. She did scream a few times, so I kept replying 'hello' then got her up. Was that the right thing to do?
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Post by Jane on Apr 28, 2005 5:48:24 GMT -7
Yes, replying to her will reassure her that you are there and everything is okay.
Jane
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Preston
Super Talker
NEED HELP? WE WILL ANSWER AS FAST AS WE CAN (Note: Preston passed away in 2012. We hold his memories dearly, he was a great person and super moderator.)
Sisika and Pete
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 5,912
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Post by Preston on Apr 28, 2005 16:50:56 GMT -7
If I could slip something in here. It may just be the juggling about every day that has her uptight. Pete stays in one spot and only contact calls after being covered when the sun hits his cage in the morning. I have a self switching thermostst so it stays 78 degrees in here all year round. All of the birds get covered, the cockatiels at 6PM and quiet as mice.
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