fear of biting and correcting behavior?

chelsE90

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May 31, 2013
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Hello all! I am new to the the forum and hoped maybe to gwt some advice. I used to raise african greys and it was the most rewarding experience ever, so when I saw an add for someone selling thier amazon I quickly jumped and made the dedication to a new member of the family. WeeWee (the given name lol) was so sweet at first he took to both my husband and myself. I guess in the end my husband was the chosen one he bonded to. He started to gwt agressive towards me. I'd still play with him but then one day he asked to step up on my hand. Gladly I extended but once he stepped up he started attacking my finger. I put him back on the perch, tended to my finger as it was pretty bad and did some research. I fojnd that reacting to the bite is in fact positive reinforcement but since then I am afraid to handle him. He still comes out ans plays with me (I can pet him and we dance together no problem) so after a month since the bite (which ia today) I decided to try again. He attempted step up like he usualy does (out of fear I had been letting my husband do it evwn when he asks for me) and sure enough my finger was attacked again. He's a smart one; it seems he is planning the attack when he asks for step up and yet out of fear (and pain) I don't know how or if I can correct this behavior. It seems as though all is good he sticks his foot out as if we are the best of friends but once he's up the finger gets it. Not a hard bite but a 'I'm gonna go till I rip this thing off bite! This could have been for a dislike if previous females or hormones but I am unsure if there is anythi g I can do when the bite is so hard its near imposibble not to pull away. Any advice?
 

henpecked

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Dec 12, 2010
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Jake YNA 1970,Kia Panama amazon1975, both i removed from nest and left siblings, Forever Home to,Stacie (YN hen),Mickie (RLA male),Blinkie (YNA hen),Kong (Panama hen),Rescue Zons;Nitro,Echo,Rocky,Rub
Learn to avoid the bites. Don't let yourself get into the position of having to get bit. When he steps up, have him step down ,quickly. Don't let "step up" mean "i'm going to take you here" . practice stepping up and down.
 

SandyBee

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Oct 5, 2012
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Coquitlam BC, Canada
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DYH Amazon-Rescue- Bosley (36),
African Brown head-Rescue- August(9)
I totally agree with henpecked, I am not the type to ignore bites I avoid them and pick my battles.
As well as practice with step up and down, will he step on a stick if you want to tale him somewhere to play?
 

Pullhoon

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May 31, 2013
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I live in Tasmania, Australia
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A red rump parrot.
My parrots have generally been the same as they have all been quite untamed when they first moved in, after about three days of moving ridiculously slow inside there cage I was able to gain there trust but they would still bite everytime as they weren't entirely sure they wanted to be on me. But it seemed if I just ignored them completely no matter how hard they bit they ended up finding it pointless because it had no effect on me, now we get along fine and I never see that side of them, I think it's a lot to do with just bonding with the bird and spending time with them.
 

MikeyTN

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Feb 1, 2011
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Antioch, TN
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"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
My parrots have generally been the same as they have all been quite untamed when they first moved in, after about three days of moving ridiculously slow inside there cage I was able to gain there trust but they would still bite everytime as they weren't entirely sure they wanted to be on me. But it seemed if I just ignored them completely no matter how hard they bit they ended up finding it pointless because it had no effect on me, now we get along fine and I never see that side of them, I think it's a lot to do with just bonding with the bird and spending time with them.

Your parrots, what type?? Since your letting them bite you without any reaction and let them go on. Try that with a Cockatoo or any of the big birds! When they realize little nips don't work, they go for the big chunks! Do you realize how dangerous it is to allow a large parrot bite you?
 

christinereed

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Mar 13, 2013
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Ohio
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Emily, dbl yellow Amazon
My parrots have generally been the same as they have all been quite untamed when they first moved in, after about three days of moving ridiculously slow inside there cage I was able to gain there trust but they would still bite everytime as they weren't entirely sure they wanted to be on me. But it seemed if I just ignored them completely no matter how hard they bit they ended up finding it pointless because it had no effect on me, now we get along fine and I never see that side of them, I think it's a lot to do with just bonding with the bird and spending time with them.

I just wanted to say that this works with our DYH, too. She will put her beak on me, but I don't let that stop me from having her step up when I need her to. When I don't need her to, I give her a choice on whether she wants to step up or get petted. But, there are times when you are going to need the bird to step up. If you flinch, the bird is running the show, not you.

Mike from TN, I don't have Macaws. I'm not suited to taking care of such a big bird.
 

MikeyTN

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Feb 1, 2011
13,296
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Antioch, TN
Parrots
"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
Christinereed,

That question was directed to the other poster. But I don't agree about letting a bird bite you for training. I don't allow my birds bite me for training! I didn't just train a few. I've trained many many birds and never once to show that here bite me I don't feel a thing type of deal. Not even to a Cockatiel!
 

christinereed

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Mar 13, 2013
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Ohio
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Emily, dbl yellow Amazon
I was told birds love loud or emotional reactions. So, if Em does something I don't want her to do, I react calmly. Usually, I put her in her cage for a few minutes.
 

MikeyTN

New member
Feb 1, 2011
13,296
17
Antioch, TN
Parrots
"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
What Your doing is correct but you also need to teach them not to bite cause sometimes its very nasty and they won't let go!
 

RescueMe

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Mar 28, 2012
373
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King George, VA
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"Sparky" the Blue and gold macaw, "Jax" Red fronted macaw, and "Little Bird" peach faced lovebird
I would strongly suggest using a T post perch or some other kind of perch instead of allowing this bird onto your hand at this point. It may be hormones, it may be more, but you getting hurt repeatedly will not benefit either you, or his further training. Work on stepping up and down and bonding in other ways that don't involve him perching directly on you. Target training is a great thing to work on and can help with bonding and moving him around in case you need to get him from one place to another when your husband isn't around, Good luck, and keep working on it.
 

SandyBee

New member
Oct 5, 2012
1,455
1
Coquitlam BC, Canada
Parrots
DYH Amazon-Rescue- Bosley (36),
African Brown head-Rescue- August(9)
I believe using a perch woul work well, but as a side note My Amazon does prefer stepping on to my hand or arm. He feels unstable on 1 finger, so if you do use your self as a perch again it might make him feel more comfortable.
 

Abigal7

New member
Jun 17, 2012
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United States of America/ Kansas
Parrots
Captain Jack (Hahn's macaw)


Clover (green cheek conure)
Have you practiced the step up with him stepping up on a stick? I would avoid getting bitten as possible. While birds in the wild may squabble I never heard of them biting other birds real hard. Because they know that would make them isolated. Avoid the bites if possible and maybe make it where the bird sees you as his only entertainment.
 

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