How do i "UNteach" my B&G some words...

MelanieAnn · Apr 16, 2012

My 10 yr old second hand BG Macaw Tiki (TK i call him) has learned a few things from his previous companion (owner) that i wish he wouldnt say. When my son yells mom or laughs loudly he says SHUT UP! It encourages my 3 yr old to say it back, so then i have TK saying shut up shut up! and my son saying it all day in preschool! i cannot get my son not to laugh loud or anything so is there anyway that I can get my bird to stop saying shut up? He also says STOP IT! when anyone is loud.. lol i hate to say that when he is loud because i dont want him to keep saying it so i say be quiet TK or SHHHH, because let me tell you he IS the loudest! Thanks. PS how do i upload a photo? thanks

IcyWolf · Apr 16, 2012

Ignoring the "bad words" is key, I know that is going to be hard because your kids laugh at him but try to explain to them that it's only going to "get tiki in trouble" if he keeps saying those things.

Teaching him new words can help get him to use those words less as well. Try teaching him new things and don't reinforce him when he says the undesired word or phrase.

Lastly, try coming up with something that sounds close to what he is saying but that means something entirely different. I can't really think of anything of the top of my head that sounds like shut up but I'm sure someone could come up with something. This technique is usually helpful with swear words since most of them are single syllables and easy to rhyme with. You just keep saying the new but close word everytime he says the bad word and eventually try getting him to say the new version instead.

Good luck.

cdog · Apr 16, 2012

Try getting him to say "step up", that is close enough to shut up that he might start saying that if you reinforce it.

MelanieAnn · Apr 16, 2012

Thank you! thats a good idea, i wish i could think of something that sounds like shut up, but its like he must have been so used to hearing it when he hears a loud noise its like he is trained, anything loud he says shut up! he has a very large vocabulary and learns quickly but that phrase seems like one he cant let go. i am not sure how long it usually takes birds to learn words because this is my first bird EVER, but i taught him to say TK HANDSOME in 3 days lol. Thank you!

MelanieAnn · Apr 16, 2012

C DOG i think that would confuse him because he only says Step Up when he wants me to pick him up, or i say it when i want to pick him up and i dont want to pick him up every time they're is a loud noise lol

cdog · Apr 16, 2012

True, the only other things I can think of are cut up and nut up.

MelanieAnn · Apr 16, 2012

i just thought of one Buck up.. but either way to my son he is going to probably hear shut up, but its worth a try! thanks

IcyWolf · Apr 16, 2012

What about Shush up? is that any better or is that still a no no phrase around the kids? It may be hard to get him to do the sh sound but it's worth a shot if that's an approved saying. It's still not pretty but it sounds less harsh than shut up.

MelanieAnn · Apr 16, 2012

SHUSH up thats a great idea thanks! means the same thing thats great thank you

Rio Mom · Apr 17, 2012

When he says something you don't want him to, try not to give him any attention at all. Don't look at him, or say anything. He will eventually learn that it's not going to get him any attention. When he says something you want him to say/approve of praise him, talk to him etc. My Pepper occasionally says a curse word (thanks to an ex-friend who thought it was funny) I turn away from her anytime she says it, fortunately it's not very often.

Remy · Apr 17, 2012

Puck was sorta loud when I got him. I say "ssshhhhh" whenever he is too loud, and he does it back, therefore ceasing his loudness, for the moment at least.

I think teaching him more things might help. Is there something you'd rather he say when there is a loud noise? How about "OH DEAR" or "UH OH" or "SSHHHHHH"? Maybe you could start saying those when there is a loud noise and see if he picks it up.

MelanieAnn · Apr 17, 2012

Thank you theese are all great ideas, so far i have tried SHUSH UP but it makes him say shut up more not sure he understands im saying something different because its so close, but SHHHH seems to work better, so i say shhhh shhhhhhhhhhhhh and he imitates me lol better the shut up!

Thanks PS how do i upload photos?

MikeyTN · Apr 17, 2012

Unfortunately he will always remember and say it when he feels like it. Mine said "I'm a bad bird, bad bad bird...." and he laughs after that, it's been 5 years since he said it but I know it'll come out one day out of the blue as he do with many words he say....

MelanieAnn · Apr 17, 2012

Lol thats cute. Tk laughs really hard when i so much as giggle at something on tv its hilarious

Rio Mom · Apr 17, 2012

In the technical section are directions for uploading pictures.

MikeyTN · Apr 17, 2012

Willie says hello when he hears phone ring or ring tone. He can tell the difference being ring tone and actual music playing....even when its on tv, he start saying Hello.....he calls out the dogs and feed them his pellets....

MelanieAnn · Apr 17, 2012

Thats so cute haha, in tikis "snack mix" there are things that look like cheerios, and he dropped one once and my cat ran over and ate it, now in the morning when he is on his playstand he picks out the cheerios and throws them to the floor for my cat! So adorable,

MikeyTN · Apr 17, 2012

Yes its adorable to watch!!!! Are you padlocking the cage door yet?

MollyGreenCheeks · Apr 17, 2012

Melanie,
The only thing I could think of would be "thuuummmbbs up! It's more positive in nature, sort of sounds like "shut up" and may be fun for TK if the "thumbs" is drawn out a bit. Hope it helps out!

Safira · Apr 17, 2012

Aww I can't wait till my BG learns to make sounds

How do i "UNteach" my B&G some words...

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