How can I teach him???

[tlouiselle]

Stewie is 9 weeks old now. We brought him home at 6 weeks old to hand raise and just adore him. He is prooving to be our dream parrot. He LOVES to snuggle and take naps with me or the dogs. I have always had smaller birds, he is my largest so far and I LOVE IT

He is getting more and more playful (haha his excited spurts are so fast. His energy wears out after a few minutes he is snuggling right back up to my neck for a quick cat nap). Since he is a baby, he is exploring and playing with everything with his beak...including our fingers and faces. He tries to give kisses too. What is the best way to teach him the proper pressure to use with his beak? I don't mind him exploring, but he gets a little excited at times and it is just a little too much pressure. I always keep a toy with me for these moments to let him take out his energy on...it works for a few minutes but then he wants to play with my fingers again and uses just a little too much pressure.

I know he is not trying to hurt/bite me...so I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to teach him that pinching is a "no no" ????

Thank you!!!

 

[TeakwoodBirdHouse]

You can use a quick "NO!", and pull away for the moment. But, only do it when he bites hard. When he's just beaking you, let him. He'll eventually realize that you only pull away when he bites hard.

 

[Pedro]

Never pull away from a eclectus even a baby. You can teach him acceptable behavior by using a gentle command like "Don't Bite" or "Gentle". Once he learns what gentle or what ever word you choose means he won't bite at all. I use the words "Don't you bite me" in a very silly sing song voice, I usually let them still hang on to my finger & if they put the pressure on i say those words & immediately i do they release the pressure. It then becomes a game & then after awhile they forget about biting at all.

You also must remember that parrots use their beaks like a 3rd hand & use it for many reasons & that includes greeting or showing affection to their feathered or human flock. With my birds i usually think when they gently grab my finger it's like a hand shake.

 

[JensFlock]

My ekkie has been "beaky" since he was a tiny baby. When he mouthed me a little too hard, I just say "easy" and when he lets up, I say "good boy".
I never pulled my hand away. I let him keep beaking me as long as it was gently.
He still uses his beak a lot, and he's 2 now, but he doesn't chomp down hard.

 

[tlouiselle]

Thank you so much for your input He is doing very well. If he uses too much pressure I have been calmly saying "no" and carefully removing his beak. So far so good

 

[Auggie's Dad]

When he bites - or when he is about to - interrupt him with a 'no' or 'ouch'.

As soon as he hesitates or backs off, *then* give him the toy.

If you give him a good toy every time he bites ... guess what you're training him to do.

 

[mtdoramike]

When he bites - or when he is about to - interrupt him with a 'no' or 'ouch'.

As soon as he hesitates or backs off, *then* give him the toy.

If you give him a good toy every time he bites ... guess what you're training him to do.

The folks that had Mac before me, it seems used this method. When we first got Mac, he would sit on your hand or arm and reach down and pinch my arm with his beak and then say "OUCH". The first time he does it and doesn't get a rise or response, he will squeeze progressively harder and then the last time will hold onto my flesh while looking up at me. I started rocking my arm to throw him off balance, which seemed to help. But the best way that I found was to just grab his beak and give it a pull or push into his chest, which usually made him squeal and say "are we done now". He doesn't seem to like playing that game anymore.

My wife thought it was cute when he would pinch my arm and then say "ouch". I didn't find it very amusing. I did think it was odd that I was the only one he would do this to. He wouldn't do this to my wife or daughter.

 

[tlouiselle]

Thank you for all of your input He is surely not trying ot actually bite, just exploring like all babies do. I just don't want him to grip too hard He is such a sweetheart. We are in love with him.