Hey guys! Dominance problems?

[Oli]

So I've been a little absent lately because of health issues. Because of these issues, my boyfriend has moved into my apartment to help take care of me and Juliet.

She has really taken to him, and cuddles him, will kiss him, sit on his shoulder, etc. She still very clearly favors me, as if she has a choice, she will fly to me, and she never ever bites me.

My boyfriend seems to be having trouble when I am out of the house though. He says that she is very nippy, and she's actually broken skin! I've seen it on his hands. I've watched their interactions closely, and given him pointers on mutual respect.

What previously worked for me when we started doing pressure training was to ignore her bites- as to why she never bites me anymore.
That hasn't worked for him at all. We've also tried firm verbal discouragement, attention removal, grounding her ( putting her on the floor when she bites). None of this has worked, and she continues to grab him very hard and hurt him.

I've told him maybe she doesn't want to be bothered, but I've seen her actively bob for his attention and bend down for scritches, and then bite him immediately.

Any advice? Is she mad that I'm not home?

Sorry for the novel. Thanks you guys.

- Oli and Juliet

 

[IndySE]

Usually dominance-theory with parrots is a rejected behavioral theory. It could be that he's not as in-tune to her body language and bites him when he doesn't listen. Or maybe she's missing you, and takes it out on your poor boyfriend. I'm not very experienced with complex behavioral problems, so I hope someone else will give you more detailed advice

 

[Flboy]

Study!
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/57935-brainstorming-biting-parrots.html

The only bite that can't be rewarded is the one that never occurs.

Also, from personal experience, my wife's Bongo does like me very much. But! More than half the time, I directly pick him up? I get nipped!( his original name was Bongo the Barbarian)- loves the taste of bone marrow-mine! Not a vicious guy, very insecure!

My solution, I never directly pick him up! When moving him around, I always use a step up stick, or I let him step directly onto my shoulder(risky!). Last time I was visiting him, he actually climbed into my lap and started putting his head down for me to give him scritches!

 

[Oli]

Study!
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/57935-brainstorming-biting-parrots.html

The only bite that can't be rewarded is the one that never occurs.

Also, from personal experience, my wife's Bongo does like me very much. But! More than half the time, I directly pick him up? I get nipped!( his original name was Bongo the Barbarian)- loves the taste of bone marrow-mine! Not a vicious guy, very insecure!

My solution, I never directly pick him up! When moving him around, I always use a step up stick, or I let him step directly onto my shoulder(risky!). Last time I was visiting him, he actually climbed into my lap and started putting his head down for me to give him scritches!

I think the step up stick is a really great idea. The boyfriend thinks she hates him, but it's so hard to explain how touchy birds are to a person without the experience, you know?

We'll try this, because she still cuddles him, it's just the pick up she's responding badly to lately.

 

[plumsmum2005]

You could go through the building trust thread with him and Juliet. Wants to trust just not there yet. Put a camera up next time you go out, may throw some light?

 

[Oli]

Update: things are slowly getting better!


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[Oli]

Well, not slowly for me, but for him- lol