New GCC and he is Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde HELP!

[VICTORYCC124]

Ok, so we only just picked up Charlie, who I'm told is 2 yrs, on Sunday evening. When we (my 9 yo and myself) met him, he was sweet and gentle and friendly. It turns out, when it's time to put him in his cage, he freaks out and bites- "draws blood" bites, on my anyway. He seems to be great with my husband and two older boys (still only letting the 3 yo talk to him, but no touching). But he clearly doesn't like me, and I'm the main care-taker of animals at my house. My Pionus is tolerating his presence, but will not tolerate him on her cage or within snatching-distance (no incidents tho). Last night I took him out of his cage and he hopped right on my hand, after about 15 seconds he started CHOMPING on my hand for no reason at all. I did not freak out, I remained calm and told him no, but it seemed the more I said no, the more defensive and attack-like he got. After 5 rapid chomps, I was bleeding all over and put him back in his cage. I was actually furious. He's bit both of my older boys, but not as hard as me, though he still drew blood on one. He bit the other one on his neck today when trying to catch his balance, but once he was secure he proceeded to bite his neck, though not causing bleeding. I am totally willing to work with him to remedy this, but I don't know where to begin.
He's proving to be a little beast.

 

[ZephyrFly]

Bumping this because I think you need some advise here.
I've been lucky with my gcc Pazu, he was super sweet when i first met him (fell asleep in the scarf around my neck) and although he can turn nippy when being put away, he's only drawn blood twice in 6 months and it was over shiny noisy things that seem to trigger him.
Pressure training is obviously in order, that's training not to bite down hard. There are other on here that can tell you much more on the subject than me.
Give him a reason to go back in his cage? Because my gcc gets nippy on my when i put him away I use a little mixed seen in a paper cupcake case in his cage to coax him. It's not perfect but it works.
I think it might be best to teach him to step up on a stick or a T stand for your hands sake.
Also, it might be worth getting your husband involved if he's Charlie's favourite human, he will likely get the best training out of charlie (but see what other folks here have to say too).
There are people with real experience on here that'll be able to help you properly, and I'm sorry that you had such a short honeymoon period.

 

[VICTORYCC124]

Thank you ZephyrFly, I really appreciate that. My husband really doesn't have much experience with birds, only what he's gained from living with our Pionus for the last year. I supervise him the same as I do the kids with the birds. LOL. Charlie finally chomped him last night too, and my husband grabbed Charlie (not hurting him) and looked at him and said "Hey, no biting." And Charlie stopped. I told my husband that he had to put him in his cage though, for biting. So he did. Charlie wasn't happy with that, but I do believe he actually may have learned something. He reacted the right way to my husband- why can't he do that for me?? Little stinker. I did find out that he is terrified of a "stick". So if I even reach for it when I go to put him on his cage, he just hops off. I hate that I have to scare him to get him on/in his cage, but so far its the only way no one gets bit. I have tried putting different treats on his trying to coax, but no luck with that so far.
And I have no idea how to pressure train, I would love to learn!

 

[Ann333]

Pressure training is realy easy. "Beaking" is usually what birds do to stabalize themselves or to explore something. They use their beaks as a third hand (or foot). Beaking is perfectly fine and acceptable.

Biting or niping is not fine even if they are playing with you. Thats when they put too much pressure. What you want to do is allow the beaking but correct them for biting BEFORE it hurts. This teaches them the appropriate amount of pressure to use when playing with a human. Pumpkin also likes to preen my eyebrows and the folds in my ears, and i can allow him to do that because he knows how much pressure to use and how much is too much.

 

[Allee]

Please don't be furious with Charlie for biting. He's in a brand new place, surrounded by new people, it's perfectly natural for him to defend himself with his beak. Many birds are frightened of children. Do you know if Charlie has had any training, it may be that he was never socialized and has no idea what you expect from him. Try to be patient with your new friend and give him some time to adjust and build confidence, it will make a difference. Here's some very good tips on bonding.

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Best of luck to you and your new family member.

 

[VICTORYCC124]

I was told that Charlie is great with children. And he seems great most of the time. He flies right to my boys and climbs to their neck and snuggles them, rubbing his face on their cheeks and neck. He acts very loving to them, but then just randomly gets crazy and bitey. He actually gives my husband kisses (which surprised me), when my husband would ask for a kiss. I understand that he is in a new place, which is why I remained calm, and I continue to spend time with him and talk to him. But he got me enough that it's been a couple days now, and my hand still hurts and is very sore (I am not a wuss either, lol). I didn't stay mad at him or anything, I just had to put him in his cage and walk away. We definitely allow the beaking, with no problem. My boys understand the difference as well. I just don't understand why gets crazy when you tell him no after he bites or nips.. ? How else can I get him to understand no biting? Because saying No gets him wound up.