Biting advice

Well I thought I had gotten over the biting with my girl but she just got me again this morning again with no warning. she was fine one second and the next she was biting me. she got me twice. Advice on how to discourage this would be much appreciated I can't have her make a habit out of this. I tried to go and put her in the cage for a time out but she would not get off my arm and I did not want her to bite me again so I left her on my arm. Any advice on how to get her off me when I want her off without getting attacked?

A couple of thoughts.

Firstly you can work on getting her to step down using target training. There are lots of threads on this to do some reading up but basically you use a target (I use a xylophone mallet) that the bird touches in order to receive a treat, then you can direct the bird using the target. Most people use a clicker to capture the exact moment the bird completes the action that triggers the treat - again, read up on clicker training for more info. To teach step down you have the bird on your arm near to a perch, you hold the target so that the bird has to step onto the perch in order to touch the target and you use the 'step down' command as the bird moves off your arm along with a click and a treat to use as a reward. Gradually you fade the target so that you are left with just the step down command and fade the treat so she gets praise rather then food.

The second thought, if she bites you then she needs a swift consequence so she realises it's not a good idea, so it's important you follow through with the time out every time. If she won't step down try corraling her with a towel or cushion (ie something that protects you from the beak) to gently but firmly dislodge her onto the cage. Remember it's really important to not let the bird get her own way - otherwise you're reinforcing the negative behaviour and you end up making the problem worse.

Depending on your hand/eye coordination, you can grab the top part of the bean and then control the head pretty easily, if that's a no-go then you can do what my mother does...thick leather work gloves. She only had to use them a couple times and now if Willow is "misbehaving" all my mother needs to do is show her the glove and she stops and holds out her foot to be picked up, lol

One day, I'll try these with my Rocky. We're still building trust and rebuilding confidence after his history of abuse (which included being hit with hands and objects). Based on my experience with other species, I would also suggest giving your bird as little reaction as possible. A loud "ow" or anything like that encourages a repeat of the behavior, because parrots love drama. When Rocky bites (and he doesn't break the skin; his bites are just pinches, really) I stay very calm and keep my voice level and I say something like, "No chomps for mama" or "Don't bite mommy" but I say it conversationally, and don't put excitement or emotion into my voice.

gabbie923 said:

Well I thought I had gotten over the biting with my girl but she just got me again this morning again with no warning. she was fine one second and the next she was biting me. she got me twice. Advice on how to discourage this would be much appreciated I can't have her make a habit out of this. I tried to go and put her in the cage for a time out but she would not get off my arm and I did not want her to bite me again so I left her on my arm. Any advice on how to get her off me when I want her off without getting attacked?

Click to expand...

hmmmm "one second she is fine..next second CHOMP" sounds VERY familiar to me! :11: Maybe your girl and Jonesy are related..OH WAIT!! THEY ARE!! lol

Jim