New Amazon owner needs help!

[tllut]

After much research and thought, I recently purchased a 5-year old double yellow headed Amazon from a reputable local pet shop. The bird had been acquired from a local breeder with a good reputation. I visited and interacted with the bird on two occasions before I made the purchase and I looked at several other birds as well. I chose this bird because he had such a great personality and never demonstrated any aggressive tendencies. I brought the bird home and introduced him to his new environment and had no trouble having him step up or getting him in and out of the cage. After a couple of days, the bird has started to refuse to step up and gets very agitated when I try to get him out of his cage. He even bit me once, something the pet shop employees assured me he never did before. I should mention that I also have a Golden Retriever, and I think part of the bird's anxiety is related to the dog although I never tried to get the bird out while the dog was in the house. Does this sound like a normal part of the adjustment process and stress related to moving to a new home? Any suggestions on how to gain his confidence and make help him adjust to his new home? I'd also welcome any input on the best way to handle dog/bird interactions. Thanks!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi there, and welcome to the forum.

Many congrats on your new family member.

How long was the DYH at the pet shop? Was he owned by someone else previously? I'm only asking this question because it's a bit strange for a 5 year old Amazon to sit in a pet shop that long.

I would also say, that now the honeymoon phase is over, and he's started testing you. By honeymoon phase I mean he was probably quite a bit disoriented when you initially brought him home, but now that he's slowly settling in, he may test you from time to time.

Some birds need longer than others to adjust to a change of scenery. Sit by your new baby, read to him, talk to him softly and sweetly, and offer him some tidbits of food through the cage bars. You can then open the cage and offer him some food via hand. He will let you know how far you can go. Their body language is pretty easy to read.

Do you have a play stand for him, away from his cage? I like working with Amazons AWAY from their cages to avoid possible aggression. Most turn into putty once removed from their cages and rooms.

As for your Golden (AWESOME dogs!!!), he will just need more time to get used to him. When I first brought home my Greenwing Macaw, he SCREAMED his head off when he first saw my 2 dogs. It took him 2 weeks to stop hollering each time he'd lay eyes on them.