After that Winnie continued to bite only now Winnie bites and then looks at me and says "no" to me!! The past month the biting has become out of control to the point where I don't think it's a game to Winnie any more because he will totally attack, which surprised me because he always loved me more then anyone else.
I don't think Winnie ever thought that biting was a game... he simply learned that the phrase "No" comes after biting. He doesn't know that the phrase "no" means to "stop biting".
His biting is a form of aggression, and simply telling him "No" doesn't teach him anything.
He used to always step up on me no matter what, now if I put my if true near him he attAcks. He drew blood tonight ( not much but enough to upset me). And I e read about biting, I don't give him a reaction when he bites, and I don't let him win either. I just do nothing at all, if I'm trying to make him step up and he bites I continue to put my fingers under his foot until he gives up and just steps up (I never used to have to force him, he would always do it on his own and be happy to).
Sounds like your behavior is making him more aggressive. He's trying to tell you something, and when you ignore him, he bites you. You then force him to do something which results in him getting frustrated with you, which, consequently, leads to more bites.
How can I stop this biting?
Simple solution! Don't get bit!
I know... easier said than done! But seriously! The only bite that can't be rewarded is the bite that never occurs. This means to try and avoid situations where you know he'll bite, and try to back off before he has a chance to bite.
Think about it this way... if a bird is never put in a situation where they feel the need to bite, they will never learn to bite. It is only when we put them in situations where they feel the need to bite, and we ignore them, that birds learn to bite in the first place!
Should I only make him step up when wants to?
Yes. If he doesn't want to step up, that's ok! Leave him be and try again later. It could be in a few seconds or in a few minutes. Either way, if he doesn't want to step up, don't force him!
When he does step up, give him a favorite treat of his! Make it rewarding to step up!
How should I react when he attacks??
Try not to put yourself in a position where you'll get attacked. If it happens, get him off you, walk away, and try to think where you went wrong. What could you have done differently to avoid getting attacked?
And Winnie will be 3 in April, is it to early for hormones or not really?
Although it could be hormones, it could also be something else.
Because Winnie has aggression if I try to take him out of his cage now he will pretty much attack, sometimes in the mornings when I wake him up he jumps on my finger, says "step up" to me all cute and then chomps down ��.
You might need to change your approach to his cage, or as soon as he steps up, reward him with a favorite treat and as soon as he's done eating it, give him another. Keep his beak busy with something other than your flesh.
The more that he is rewarded for good behavior, the less he may do undesired behavior.
And if so, do you think it matters if Winnie is make or female?
Nope. Males and females can become hormonal, grouchy, have a bad day or anything else!
I was also wondering do u guys think if I go to have him step up and he ATTACKS, should I continue to make him step up in that same moment even though Winnie is biting me? Or should I back away and try later when he wants my attention? Like should I make this happen on his terms only?? Or should I have him step up even if he does t want to? Thanks again for the support
I agree with Minimaker. If he attacks you, get him off and think about what you could do differently to avoid getting attacked! (as already mentioned)
Some great trainers and behaviorists to learn from include Barbara Heidenreich, Lara Joseph, Hillary Hankey, Susan Friedman, Karen Pryor, Melinda Johnson, Kelly Ballance and Chris Shank!
