Please help!!!!

Sarah3

New member
Apr 12, 2013
2
0
Hi I am new here so pls bear with me, I purchased my cag about 3 months ago, his name is Dusty and he is 11 months old, when I first got him home he was perfect, he stepped up on demand, let me cuddle him in my arms, scratch his head ect, but about 3 weeks ago he started biting and he has just got worse, he will no longer step up or let me stroke or scratch his head, all he does is bite me (hard) I don't tend to let him out as much any more because it can take me ages to get him back into his cage and I also don't want to get bit!!!! He will let me scratch his head through the bars but that is all. I would really like the old Dusty back, I don't know what I have done wrong or how to put it right. Thank you
 

weco

New member
Nov 24, 2010
3,342
12
USA
Parrots
Nanday, suns, parrotlet, Patagonian
As the saying goes...the honeymoon's over & Dusty is testing his limits.....just like children need to be taught their boundaries, so do companion birds.....I've never seen a Humans-For-Dummies book in Parroteese, though there may be one in the works, one of our members is working on some type of manuscript, maybe sh's ghost writing for her grey ? ? ?

I might suggest you start reading up on clicker training and start working with Dusty.....all the information you need is available (for free) on the internet, as well as informative training videos on youtube.....

Good luck.....
 

Sassy

New member
Jun 4, 2012
202
0
Bethlehem PA
Parrots
Neytiri -CAG 4/11/12
Scooter Pie -Caique 8/12
Butch - citronella 'too 1988
Skittles - caique 4/13
Ringo - caique 2009
Chica - caique 2006
Rascal - RBC 2001
He's testing you. Neytiri is a year old and she too was nippy and started to assert her independence. Just keep working with him. Don't show that it bothers you. I'm going through a biting phase with a rehomed 'too. Those bites really hurt. Early on I taught Neytiri "gentle" and I remind her and praise her frequently about it.

I'm sure others will pipe in with more info for you. Good luck and don't give up.

Sassy
 

Helpthisgrey

New member
Apr 1, 2013
44
0
Maybe your parrot is predicting that when you reach your hand out that the birds does not like what will happen. Kinda of like a police pulling you over and showing you his speed gun. You predict that your gonna get a speeding fine and you are not gonna like that same with your parrot.

So back to the police, what if the police shows you his speed gun and hands you a 100 dollar bill. now when a cop comes with his speed gun you are gonna predict that he is gonna give you a 100 dollar bill.

Or your parrot could be testing you/getting territorial in that case just move the cage somewhere else.
 

ShellyBorg

New member
Apr 8, 2013
890
2
Redding, CA
Parrots
TAG Spirit,RLA Danny,Senegal Damon, Parrotlet Opal, B&G Paris
Lots of short 10 min daily clicker training. Also fine a game that you can play with your Grey hands off. Tonight I work with a friend that has a new rescue CAG that does not want to be touched. One of his favorite toys is a wiffle ball on a chain. We removed the chain and played toss with him. First we played and made happy noise then I would offer the CAG the ball. He would take it and toss it . I wouldpick it back up and start agin. It did not take longfor him to really be in the game. All with hands off and unventilated fingers. :D
 

Featheredsamurai

New member
Aug 24, 2011
4,172
19
California
Parrots
African Greg
2 cockatiels
Welcome to the world of parrots ;)

Don't give up, keep at it. If you can get past this, a point when most parrots are sold/given away by misunderstanding people, you'll have a friend for life.
 

Talulah_Bear

New member
Apr 13, 2013
5
0
Minnesota
Parrots
I have one Congo African Grey parrot. I bought him before he hatched. I happened to be at the breeders right after he did hatch!

I recently rescued a neglected grey. I believe he is a Congo.
Actually, I think its because its spring. My grey gets feisty in the spring. Use a dowel to pick him up when he gets like that and is out of his cage, put it under one of his feet and confidently and firmly say 'Step up'.

You two are still learning about each other and trust me, this will go on for years, if not forever. Please be patient and consistent. Oh also, do NOT allow him on your shoulders. When you allow his eye level to be above yours, he will think he is the boss.

Good luck!
 
OP
S

Sarah3

New member
Apr 12, 2013
2
0
  • Thread Starter
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Thank you for all of your advice! I have looked up on clicker training and ordered a clicker, my problem is that Dusty wont take food from my hand, I have even tried his favourite sweet corn with no luck, what else can I use as a treat?
 

ShellyBorg

New member
Apr 8, 2013
890
2
Redding, CA
Parrots
TAG Spirit,RLA Danny,Senegal Damon, Parrotlet Opal, B&G Paris
You may need a treat cup. Instead of handing the bird of food you drop it in the cup and back off so they can get to them self
 

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