My parents taught my Parrot to yell. We live in a small house.

Bering

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Aug 12, 2016
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Hi all parrot owners.

Some years ago my parents babysitted my Yellow Naped Amazon and they taught it yelling. I've always lived in quiet environments, in apartments and now in a small attached house with 2 neighbors.

My parents live in a massive house, 2 floors and loads of rooms. While they had him, the parrot was downstairs and they have found it very amusing to yell from the living room, to downstairs - encouraging the parrot to yell.

Now, I'm having trouble, as my boyfriend has become so tired of the yelling he wants it to be put down or me to giving it away. I always try and discourage the yelling by closing the door and avoiding eye contact with the bird. Basically I avoid encouraging it.

Does anyone know an effective way of un-learning yelling? We are quite "fortunate" I guess they my parents only taught it to yell 2 things. Mostly used is "Hi!" "HIIII" which he's yelling. I know how annoying it is, having a next-neighbor dog barking 24/7 and I'd rather not have my neighbors thinking the same way about my parrot.

I'd really not want to give away my bird as I know it will only be an empty space. But for all the time I've had him, my parrot has been quiet, until - well my parents completely ruined it - despite I specifically said, Don't yell!

Any tips would be appreciated.
 

Flboy

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Dec 28, 2014
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Greater Orlando area, Florida
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Hi all parrot owners.

Some years ago my parents babysitted my Yellow Naped Amazon and they taught it yelling. I've always lived in quiet environments, in apartments and now in a small attached house with 2 neighbors.

My parents live in a massive house, 2 floors and loads of rooms. While they had him, the parrot was downstairs and they have found it very amusing to yell from the living room, to downstairs - encouraging the parrot to yell.

Now, I'm having trouble, as my boyfriend has become so tired of the yelling he wants it to be put down, or me to giving it away. I always try and discourage the yelling by closing the door and avoiding eye contact with the bird. Basically I avoid encouraging it.

Does anyone know an effective way of un-learning yelling? We are quite "fortunate" I guess they my parents only taught it to yell 2 things. Mostly used is "Hi!" "HIIII" which he's yelling. I know how annoying it is, having a next-neighbor dog barking 24/7 and I'd rather not have my neighbors thinking the same way about my parrot.

I'd really not want to give away my bird as I know it will only be an empty space. But for all the time I've had him, my parrot has been quiet, until - well my parents completely ruined it - despite I specifically said, Don't yell!

Any tips would be appreciated.
Rethink the boyfriend!
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Rethink the boyfriend!

Agreed. I think the first issue and fix has been identified:54:

As for the bird, continue ignoring inappropriate vocalizations while encouraging vocalizations you like (i.e. when he makes a nice noise, lavish him with praise and attention, when he makes a loud noise, ignore him). It could take months to get this particular bad habit handled, but with patience and persistence, he will eventually get the picture nice noises yield the attention, loud noises do not.
 
Last edited:

Scott

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Aug 21, 2010
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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
I would definitely rethink the boyfriend. Suggesting you give away a bonded parrot is one thing, advocating euthanasia is so despicable to be, IMHO, a thankful window into his psyche.

You are very insightful for understanding your YNA was "taught." Behavior management as suggested by April (Kiwibird) is part of a longish process.

Good luck on both counts!
 

BeatriceC

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Feb 9, 2016
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I'm on team "dump the boyfriend". Seriously, any man who said that to me about any of my animals would have been out the door before he could take a breath after finishing the statement.
 

wrench13

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"he wants it to be put down" ??? Ditto on the solution - get a new boyfriend. Any person whose solution to an animal issue is to have the animal killed is beyond contempt. Maybe that will be his solution to you when it is time to break up.

Un-teaching a parrot something is difficult at best. Try whispering round your parrot, hopefully he will be quieter in order to hear you.
 

Flboy

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Dec 28, 2014
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That was how we got our Bongo! Boyfriend said either he or the bird! We ended up with an awesome companion, cages, etc.

Wanna place odds on that relationship?
 

AmyMyBlueFront

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It is ashame that your PARENTS ( supposedly ADULTS :mad:) taught your bird yelling,after you distinctly told them NOT TO!

"Unlearning" a bad behavior can be a tedious project,but can be accomplished. Sounds to me that you really care for your Amazon,and with persistence you CAN "retrain" the little green guy.

As far as your BF goes..sorry..I agree with what others have stated :02: If he could be so callus as to suggest "putting him down" what would he do if/when your relationship with him sours???

He would be outside,looking in,if he was MY boyfriend!


Jim
 
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SilverSage

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What a mess! Fortunately for your bird you understand what is going on.

If I'm being perfectly honest, this would be a HUGE red flag for me. My pets are part of my soul and I couldn't be happy for the rest of my life with someone who suggested that I get rid of, much less KILL one of my pets. However I understand that it's not always that simple, and boyfriend or no, you need a solution.

You are doing right to not encourage the yelling, but I would also suggest you teach alternate behavior such as whispering. I know a couple of African greys who do this.

I would also consider, depending on your neighbors, dropping off a note at the closest houses saying something like "hi neighbor, we are sorry for any inconvenience as we deal with our feathered child. Her grandparents taught her some bad habits which we are working to correct, but you know kids, it may not happen overnight! Thanks for your patience!"

We did this when we were crate training our puppy (who was too young to crate train, long story, he cried piteously at all hours of the day and night), and our neighbors appreciated knowing that a) we knew about the problem b) we were sorry to disturb them, and c) we were doing everything we could to fix it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

SailBoat

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Jul 10, 2015
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What a mess! Fortunately for your bird you understand what is going on.

If I'm being perfectly honest, this would be a HUGE red flag for me. My pets are part of my soul and I couldn't be happy for the rest of my life with someone who suggested that I get rid of, much less KILL one of my pets. However I understand that it's not always that simple, and boyfriend or no, you need a solution.

You are doing right to not encourage the yelling, but I would also suggest you teach alternate behavior such as whispering. I know a couple of African greys who do this.

I would also consider, depending on your neighbors, dropping off a note at the closest houses saying something like "hi neighbor, we are sorry for any inconvenience as we deal with our feathered child. Her grandparents taught her some bad habits which we are working to correct, but you know kids, it may not happen overnight! Thanks for your patience!"

We did this when we were crate training our puppy (who was too young to crate train, long story, he cried piteously at all hours of the day and night), and our neighbors appreciated knowing that a) we knew about the problem b) we were sorry to disturb them, and c) we were doing everything we could to fix it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, since the other issue has been well addressed by the others. I'm going to also address the 'concern' you have with you're neighbors. The advise in the above Post is excellent, so I only need to add a little to it.

When we moved two years ago and it was at the end of Summer, I made it a point to be outside when our Amazon was at his normal loudest. I walked away from our new home until I could barely hear him. Once I had determined that distances, I noted every neighbor that could possible hear our Amazon!

As so well stated above, we first provided a note to every one of those neighbors and shortly after, we followed-up with a personal visit to each. As part of that visit, we invited each neighbor who had an interest to visit our home /Amazon. Nearly, everyone did visit. With some, our big boy was talkative, others got a song, and a few had been provided with Amazon sounds.

Our new home is in a Senior development, so open windows on a comfortable day is near all day! With in days, the walkers would make it a point to stop by and speak with our Amazon. Others, would take time out of their day to visit our Amazon and also speak with him. In no time, our Amazon knew more of our neighbors then we did.

Our Amazon was very load, but with in a month, the soft tones of our neighbors had him at half his original volume. Our next door neighbor would bring his radio and chair over and listen to the ballgame while taking with our Amazon.

When the grandkid's are visiting, our neighbors will call and ask if they can come by to show the grandkid's our Amazon.

The end point: Neighbors are great if they are aware and allowed to be involved! During June of this year, the word got out that our Amazon was ill and that we would not be going to the block party because of it. Not a problem, they just switched it to our backyard! I swear our Amazon got healthier faster.

It was much the same at our prior home. In fact many of them stop by just to visit with our Amazon!

I'm not really big into this; 'It takes a Village' thing, but our surrounding neighbors, You Bet!
 
Last edited:

Kentuckienne

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We also had a parrot who yelled, and to my astonishment he learned quickly to do things differently. He knew that when I was in the kitchen, good things were going to come, and he would yell as loud as he could. I started just looking at him. He would stop yelling and look to see what effect it was having on me, and then I would whistle to him. There migh be a couple rounds of this, but eventually he would whistle back. As soon as that happened, I got excited, good bird good bird, and gave him a small treat. It didn't take long at all for him to start singing or whistling when he wanted attention. He was a smart bird, an Amazon, and very food motivated. But I think most birds yell because they want something and yelling brings the desired result, so they yell. When yelling doesn't bring a desired result, the behavior will begin to stop. When they really make the connection between a softer, more pleasant noise and getting what they want, then they will do it.

All parrots need a lot of attention. It's almost better to think of them as toddlers than as pets. Would you leave a two year old alone in a play pen all evening while you watch tv? I'm sure you wouldn't. Parrots need a LOT of touching, talking, physical contact, and interaction. You can teach them to entertain themselves with toys for when you can't give your attention right then - just like a toddler. No amount of training will make a parrot be quiet or solitary. They are not domesticated animals like cats and dogs. They are a wild animal that is merely tamed. They have all the instincts of wild birds - to flock together with many others, to call loudly to locate one another in the forest because a bird that gets separated from the flock is a dead bird. They claim a territory so they can make a nest and they defend it with their lives. They need mates, to reproduce and form a pair bond, just like humans do. You cannot change that nature. What you can do is figure out how that nature fits into your lifestyle, and you may be able to shape it a bit. You might be able to teach him to whistle for company instead of yell - but you can't change his need for company. It's in his DNA, just like a human.

People do these same tricks with other humans. If a human wants something, they might display anger, use derogatory language, make threats and even employ physical violence. It's because they have learned that these techniques work. Some people have especially pernicious habits of insinuating that their preferences are more important than those of their mate. Sometimes they express disapproval of the mate's choice in friends, in clothes, in companions, in hobbies until they pressure their mate into cutting these undesirable connections. This has the pleasant result of making the other person more dependent on them, more anxious to please them. The other person begins to feel that their needs, desires, dreams and thoughts are less important. It can be difficult to notice the onset of this pattern - it's often something people work into gradually. It can be difficult to leave a job where you are mistreated ... It can be difficult to leave a relationship where you are made to feel imperfect ... But life is short, and everyone has the right to a happy one. Personally, I pay attention to how I feel around people. Sometimes I feel like a better person when I'm in certain company. Some people make me feel meaner, or angrier, and so I find ways to avoid those people and spend time with people who lift me up.

Please let us know how it goes with the unpleasantness in the household, and I hope you will soon find yourself in a more harmonious situation.
 

wrench13

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Wow, very well thought out post, and I for one will take away some good info. I hope the OP does , too.
 

AmyMyBlueFront

Well-known member
Apr 14, 2015
6,315
Media
4
3,034
Connecticut
Parrots
Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(

And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
What a mess! Fortunately for your bird you understand what is going on.

If I'm being perfectly honest, this would be a HUGE red flag for me. My pets are part of my soul and I couldn't be happy for the rest of my life with someone who suggested that I get rid of, much less KILL one of my pets. However I understand that it's not always that simple, and boyfriend or no, you need a solution.

You are doing right to not encourage the yelling, but I would also suggest you teach alternate behavior such as whispering. I know a couple of African greys who do this.

I would also consider, depending on your neighbors, dropping off a note at the closest houses saying something like "hi neighbor, we are sorry for any inconvenience as we deal with our feathered child. Her grandparents taught her some bad habits which we are working to correct, but you know kids, it may not happen overnight! Thanks for your patience!"

We did this when we were crate training our puppy (who was too young to crate train, long story, he cried piteously at all hours of the day and night), and our neighbors appreciated knowing that a) we knew about the problem b) we were sorry to disturb them, and c) we were doing everything we could to fix it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, since the other issue has been well addressed by the others. I'm going to also address the 'concern' you have with you're neighbors. The advise in the above Post is excellent, so I only need to add a little to it.

When we moved two years ago and it was at the end of Summer, I made it a point to be outside when our Amazon was at his normal loudest. I walked away from our new home until I could barely hear him. Once I had determined that distances, I noted every neighbor that could possible hear our Amazon!

As so well stated above, we first provided a note to every one of those neighbors and shortly after, we followed-up with a personal visit to each. As part of that visit, we invited each neighbor who had an interest to visit our home /Amazon. Nearly, everyone did visit. With some, our big boy was talkative, others got a song, and a few had been provided with Amazon sounds.

Our new home is in a Senior development, so open windows on a comfortable day is near all day! With in days, the walkers would make it a point to stop by and speak with our Amazon. Others, would take time out of their day to visit our Amazon and also speak with him. In no time, our Amazon knew more of our neighbors then we did.

Our Amazon was very load, but with in a month, the soft tones of our neighbors had him at half his original volume. Our next door neighbor would bring his radio and chair over and listen to the ballgame while taking with our Amazon.

When the grandkid's are visiting, our neighbors will call and ask if they can come by to show the grandkid's our Amazon.

The end point: Neighbors are great if they are aware and allowed to be involved! During June of this year, the word got out that our Amazon was ill and that we would not be going to the block party because of it. Not a problem, they just switched it to our backyard! I swear our Amazon got healthier faster.

It was much the same at our prior home. In fact many of them stop by just to visit with our Amazon!

I'm not really big into this; 'It takes a Village' thing, but our surrounding neighbors, You Bet!

And this is why "Amazon's have more fun"!..or "rule" :D

Jim
 

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