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My Grey
Aug 14, 2005 9:52:30 GMT -7
Post by Cindy on Aug 14, 2005 9:52:30 GMT -7
I have an Arican Grey, his name is Tummy. I got him and his cage for free over a year ago. He came from a neglected home. I have had him a little over a year. He is terrified of my husband (most men he is) when my husband tries to pick him up Tummy will fly around the house until he finds me to pick him up and protect him. Once he is out of the cage I can pet him, he kisses me and cuddles me. :DThe only thing is I cant pick him up from his cage. He tries to bite me. He often stands on top of his cage and whenever I walk by he reaches out and bites me on the shoulder or grabs my hair. :(If anyone else passess by him he ignores them or goes back in his cage. He is 12 years old and he says very little words. He is more of a mimicker. I spend hours trying to get him to talk. He says hello (only when the phone rings), he says tummy, tum tum and shut up. This is my first bird. Does anyone know how I can get him to like me and not bite me when I try and pick him up or grab me whenever I walk by him? He is 12 years old I would think he would be able to speak more words. Any pointers?
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My Grey
Aug 14, 2005 11:13:09 GMT -7
Post by lidiam on Aug 14, 2005 11:13:09 GMT -7
You sound like you're doing quite well already, and well done on taking a bird that needs so much attention to make him/her mentally and socially well. If Tummy doesn't like your husband to approach him/her, then he should not force the issue. Let Tummy get used to your husband in his/her own time. If Tummy has a problem with men, and CAGs can often have a gender preference anyway, then forcing him/her to interact can only frighten and further traumatise him/her. The cage is Tummy's territory, and Tummy does not like his/her territory to be invaded. You could try offering treats to Tummy at arms length until Tummy becomes used to you approaching the cage. CAGs are quite eccentric in some ways. They often will not speak while you are looking at them! You may have to turn your back to have a conversation with Tummy. But since Tummy is already able to speak and actively mimics sounds, it is probably only a matter of time before he/she adds more to his/her repertoire. Ask your husband not to try to force Tummy to interact with him/her, but to speak to Tummy from a distance, always kindly and gently. You'll both have to have a lot of patience. Whatever relationship develops in time will be entirely on Tummy's terms! For the most part, I would say continue as you are doing, and offer treats to Tummy when he/she is on top of and in the cage. Don't shout at or speak angrily to Tummy. Be consistent and very patient. But it sounds like Tummy is already well bonded with you, and it may be just a matter of time before he/she accepts some sort of interaction with your husband (although it may never be like Tummy's interaction with you). By the way, I think Tummy is a wonderful name! Good luck, and well done. Lidia
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My Grey
Aug 14, 2005 13:21:07 GMT -7
Post by Cindy on Aug 14, 2005 13:21:07 GMT -7
Thank You. My husband alway's tells me Tummy grabs my shoulder and hair when I go by, because he wants my attention. He bites hard and has drawn blood before. I feel better now that maybe he does like me..maybe I am the one he wants to bond with. I do give him treats...he is very spoiled.
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My Grey
Aug 14, 2005 15:24:24 GMT -7
Post by lidiam on Aug 14, 2005 15:24:24 GMT -7
Actually, the biting is something you have to get a handle on. Try not to react when Tummy bites, because the more of a response you have to it, the more the behaviour will continue. Reinforce the good behaviour with treats. And try and discourage the bad by saying something like, "Don't Bite", in a strong (but not angry) voice, and looking into Tummy's eye as you say it. The eye contact is important. Don't get mad about it, because Tummy is obviously trying to provoke some sort of reaction from you, and by the sound of it, it's the cycle that Tummy's previous 'owners' were trapped in. Keep on spoiling him/her, there's no harm in that! Just don't let Tummy have complete control over you! If you look around the forum at other threads, there is a lot of information that will be very valuable to you. Best, Lidia
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My Grey
Aug 15, 2005 10:45:20 GMT -7
Post by Deneen on Aug 15, 2005 10:45:20 GMT -7
You are doing a great job. Rosebud and I really began to bond when I starting giving her warm Yum, Yum (Whoops, Food) off of my plate with a spoon and made a big deal about it being so good... Now she takes it out of my hand or off my plate. She loves warm vegetables and will not eat them cold. She actually throws them at me and laughs. Do not react to your bird's biting when I first got her she would grab a hold of me and I use to really react and pull away and I think she loved that. Now, that I do not pull away I just say be gentle, no biting and she will not touch me now especially if I have a treat in my hand. She still will not let me in her cage and will go after me everytime. Even if I am changing toys..
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My Grey
Aug 15, 2005 15:59:41 GMT -7
Post by Cndy on Aug 15, 2005 15:59:41 GMT -7
Thank You both for your responses. I will try not to reponds to the biting. (it hurts though) I always say Tummy is a bad bird when he bites. He laughs as Rosebud does. I will try with eye contact and saying no bite instead.
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