Getting my GCC to stop attacking me

[prettykiwi]

Background: My husband and I got a GCC in December 2014. He was 12 weeks old. We split the responsibilities and both spent quite a bit of time with him. In October 2015, Kiwi stopped letting me touch him. It was very sudden, one day he just started fluffing his feathers up and trying to attack me through the cage bars and would bite me if I tried to pick him up. We really didn't do enough research on training so he had no training at all. I just let it go and thought he just didn't like me anymore and never would again so I stopped having any contact with him aside from just feeding him, changing water, and putting toys in his cage. My husband was still able to handle him though so he still was handled, just not by myself. Now I have done more research on training so I am really wanting to get him to where I can handle him again. My husband might start traveling for work so I really need to be able to handle Kiwi. I have gotten him to where I can now walk up to the cage and put food/water without him trying to attack me but that's it.
My question is: Should I just continue to just give him his food, toys, and treats and have my husband start training (touch target training, etc) or should I start the training myself? I've read to have the favorite person start the training first, but I've also read for the person the bird dislikes to start the training. Also, does anyone have any tips for getting our GCC to start accepting me and letting me handle him? I feel way in over my head with this.

Thanks in advance!

 

[GaleriaGila]

I'm a bad example, so I'll hold off on attempting advice. My bird is bonded to me and hates me husband... the feeling is pretty mutual (although at least my ol' man has a sense of humor about it).
There are lots of Green cheek owners and lovers here (as well as many others with varied expertise in other species) and related issues.
I'm glad you found us!
Welcome!

 

[prettykiwi]

Hi, thanks for the welcome! I really feel in over my head with Kiwi. I've trained several dogs but no birds.

 

[CDavis]

I haven't had his problem with my GCC's(thought it is actually one of my biggest fears) but you should be the only one to give kiwi all of his favorite treats and really let him get used to you again. I just got a new GCC three days ago and I've been reading the Amazon body language thread and the beakophobes guide to macaw beaks out loud to him just to make sure he gets used to my voice and I learn in the process. But I'm sure BeatriceC could help you more with how she felt with Goofy

 

[prettykiwi]

So should I do nothing but give treats and food and let my husband do some training? Or should I go ahead and start training as well? His favorite treat us dried mango and sunflower seeds and I am the only one who gives him those.

 

[Anansi]

You can both work on training him, actually. Just so long as you don't attempt to do so while you're husband is anywhere in the observable vicinity. And this includes his voice as well. The moment that Kiwi comes to realize that your husband is around, you go from being a member of the flock to being a rival. At this point, the entire dynamic between you and kiwi undergoes a complete shift anytime that your husband is around and, as such, training would not be productive.

You want Kiwi to start perceiving you as the "good guy". So, as was mentioned before, all the best treats should come from you. Also, if there is any bad behavior while Kiwi is out, your husband should play the heavy and be the one to put him on timeout. And you should be the one to come and "rescue" him a few minutes later. (With a perch. I know he always bites at your hand.)

Keeping him engaged while your husband is not around will go a long way toward building a rapport of sorts between you. Like target training, for instance! Use a targeting stick and point to different areas within the cage, and reward him with treats and exaggeratedly excited praise for correctly following directions. After a while, he'll come to look forward to these games with you. But it may very well be a long process. Just don't lose heart. Persevere.

You might also want to spend time sitting by his cage and reading to him, offering him a few bribes here and there. And you should strive to be the one spending the lion's share of time with him.

The point is not to get him to like you more, but rather to get him better socialized and more willing to accept you as a part of the flock.

 

[prettykiwi]

Thank you so much Anansi! We will take your advice about the training and time outs. We also bought a big flight cage so we moved his old cage to our bedroom for sleeping and the day cage is now next to my recliner so I can definitely spend time with him, reading out loud and talking to him. I do have a question though, as far as rescuing him, I honestly can't even get him to step up on a perch for me. He just bites the perch. So do you think target training will help with that?

The funny thing is, Kiwi is actually really sweet to not only my husband but also our one year old, dog, and cat. So I'm pretty much singled out as the one and only "rival".

 

[Anansi]

You're welcome! And yes, target training should definitely help with that. Once he comes to associate treats with doing as you ask, he'll feel much more inclined to step up onto the perch for you. But keep in mind that it might take a while. Just make sure to be consistent with him. Consistency is your friend when it comes to training.

 

[Flboy]

Do some searching on monicaMC,

 

[wrench13]

as has been mentioned, consistency is critcal. talk the training and socializing program over with your husband and make sure you and he stick to it. mixed signals will really confuse your bird and possibly set you way back. treats are your friend, parrots are ruled by their bellies, so when training, the reward must be immediately given when he does what you ask. target stick in one hannd , treat in the other. trick training is also good for socializing. making him turn in circles on command is a good start. once out of the cage and on a play perch, show him the treat, make him follow it whike saying circle, when he makes a complete circle, give him the treat. no training when hubby is around. good luck.

 

[prettykiwi]

Thanks wrench13! I am excited to start trick training but it will probably be a while for that, lol. My husband and I have talked it over pretty extensively the past couple of weeks and I've been sending him lots of articles and threads on this site so we are on the same page. Luckily my husband and I work opposite shifts and have different days off so there is plenty of time for me to spend with Kiwi when he is not here.

 

[prettykiwi]

Okay everyone, we are making progress little by little. This morning I was able to walk up to Kiwis cage, open the door, put my hand in and give him a treat and he did NOT try to bite me at all! He took the mango and sat on his perch eating and talking to me. I'm so excited about this!

 

[chrissygirl84]

I have a kiwi as well. My kiwi was about 2 months old when we got him. My 12 year old and I split the responsibilities. I do notice when we don't keep up on "trying" to hold him or show him attention, the attention he wants then he will start getting aggressive or loud. We will just use a glove and make him love us again. You have to keep a routine, they are like children. They like structure. I notice that with my Kiwi. We have had him for over a year now. As soon as we slip on the attention giving then he starts with his anger. Hes over a year old and knows over 10 words, because I have worked with him so much. Good luck with your kiwi. You can do it.


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[chrissygirl84]

Okay everyone, we are making progress little by little. This morning I was able to walk up to Kiwis cage, open the door, put my hand in and give him a treat and he did NOT try to bite me at all! He took the mango and sat on his perch eating and talking to me. I'm so excited about this!

Baby steps. That's good.


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