Nipping/ biting

When does the nipping and biting stop?! Iv done so much reasearch on how to deal with it. Iv been clicker training my conure for a while now and hes really great at it. I thought he would trust me a little by now.because they say clicker training gains trust.

He wont let me touch him anywere...but hell step up and down and do loads of tricks he eats from my hand all the time. I even attempt to stroke him he bites me and twists my skin. It really hurts. He also bites for no reason like when he steps up then just bites.
I dont no what im doing wrong or if im just being impatient?

What is his body language like right before he bites? What situations? How long have you had him? What is he eating? How much sleep does he get? How old is he? What kind of conure is he? I assure you, birds do not bite for no reason, you simply have to figure out the reason and then deal with the cause.

Maybe he doesn't like being touched. Not all birds do.

not all people do, either

Emma21200 said:

When does the nipping and biting stop?! Iv done so much reasearch on how to deal with it. Iv been clicker training my conure for a while now and hes really great at it. I thought he would trust me a little by now.because they say clicker training gains trust.

He wont let me touch him anywere...but hell step up and down and do loads of tricks he eats from my hand all the time. I even attempt to stroke him he bites me and twists my skin. It really hurts. He also bites for no reason like when he steps up then just bites.
I dont no what im doing wrong or if im just being impatient?

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If a bird doesn't want you to touch him usually they give clear signals before a bite. Such as... Moving/flying away from you, lowering their head, splaying the tail feathers like a fan accompanied by eye pinning is a clear sign yo back off. They may also puff out their feathers to look bigger.

If your bird is exhibiting any of these signs, when you get bit it's because your not paying attention. My bird does not like to eat from my hand. She will take a piece of bread or something else she likes from me, but she won't just sit with me and eat it. It's her preference. She also hates it when I touch her toys, or try and play with her with them. I always get bit, so I stopped.

Once you learn the behavior, if you want to encourage it, keep doing it other wise stop.

SilverSage said:

What is his body language like right before he bites? What situations? How long have you had him? What is he eating? How much sleep does he get? How old is he? What kind of conure is he? I assure you, birds do not bite for no reason, you simply have to figure out the reason and then deal with the cause.

Click to expand...

He is a green cheek conure around 6 months old. Had him nearly 2 months now. Training from day one when i got him. I feed him a pellet mix i made some of that chop with all the veg in one. And i feed seed as treats evey night for training. He also gets millet spray and other treats odd occasions.
Im trying to train him to get touched because i have a harness for him so he can go outside with me. He hasnt been clipped.

Ok, sounds good. We need to focus on a couple of factors here. Number one, some birds are just never going to like being touched. Number two, if he is biting you, you are probably ignoring or have made a habit of ignoring his "more polite" requests for you to stop doing what you are doing. You need to respect those requests, or he will have to bite you to get you to listen. Body language like fluffing feathers to make himself larger, raising the feathers on his neck, backing away from you, lunging at you, holding his beak like he wants to bite you, etc. Pay attention to exactly what he does right before he bites you. When you see that behavior, you need to STOP reaching for him. Be respectful of his personal space. Then, think about what YOU did that makes him want to bite you, and we can work from there. Also, you need to back up. Stop trying to train him to let you touch him, start by training him to let you put your hand above him, then closer, then closer, then closer, etc etc. You can't just dive right in. Also keep in mind that 8 weeks is NOT a long time to settle in, the bird likely does not fully trust you yet. In fact, based on this behavior I would say that he does not trust you yet. Also, training helps with trust but does not just create it Respect, gentleness, consistency, etc, those things build trust. Doing things that make your bird feel the need to bite you do not build trust. There is a chance that there are other reasons for your bird's behavior, but I think trust is usually the best place to start.

I have read your other thread as well and I think it is important to add that if you picking your bird up always leads to something he doesn't like, such as going back in his cage, it is only natural for him to do whatever he can to stop this. Training and bonding are about understanding - try to understand WHY your bird does what he does, and what you can do to avoid this behavior, and build trust and communication between you.

I agree with the other posts - my little experience is when JellyBean bites, I don't react by voice or any action; I just gently leave him (not alone), but get back to reading my book or something.. then after a while he will fly to me and all is good - he wants cuddles! I also find he is more nippy first thing in the morning when I get him up, or if I come back from being out of the house! I think it is his way of saying "you left me!!!!"

Try playing with one of his favorite toys, oreating something that he likes in front of him. Make sure he is watching and knows whst it is. Then entice him to come to you to take it fom you.

Sorry for jumping this post.....but skitz is attacking my hands on purpose like, when I open a gaterade and he wants some yet bites me while I am open it or fly to my bed and charges me and bites cause I am opening my med bottles. He loves to be petted loves to be flipped and scratch I think maybe he is molting cause his itchyness. But what could I be doing when he just charges over and bites me and turns around wanting me to pet? He knows he is not supposed to bite he knows when he is biting how hard he bites and he wants to sit on my head all the time. I think he may be getting a little big for his britches
katina and skitzo

Dear Emma 21200, I adopted my gcc at about 2yrs. he was surrendered at birth and had no socialization. Needless to say Patty bit and usually drew blood. Pay close attention to body language before he bites. Does he puff up,pin you or rare back all can be signs of eminit bite Also some birds have areas that petting is off limits.My Patty gets aroused if petted much on the back so he bites,also his right cheek is of limits. Hope This Helps Bonita

bonita said:

Dear Emma 21200, I adopted my gcc at about 2yrs. he was surrendered at birth and had no socialization. Needless to say Patty bit and usually drew blood. Pay close attention to body language before he bites. Does he puff up,pin you or rare back all can be signs of eminit bite Also some birds have areas that petting is off limits.My Patty gets aroused if petted much on the back so he bites,also his right cheek is of limits. Hope This Helps Bonita

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Thank you for your reply! I have made progress! Beacuse iv been clicker training and he responds really well to it. Iv been placing my hand over his head as close as i can without him moving or attempting to bite and click and treat. Iv onli been doing this for a few days but hes picking it up. I attempted to just stroke his head and he let me do it without biting. i do only attempt this when he is eating a treat at the minute though! But if i try and he walks away i stop and let him. Im really learning his body movments! Im just going to keep trying him! thanks every one for the great advice!