What can I do to make Charlie like me more??

[Mybestfriendisaparrot]

My TAG Charlie has been living here for around 4 months. Hes around 9 months old. Hes starting to make little noises and imitates my sounds i make to him! But the problem I have is that he doesnt like me! He loves my mother! She doesnt do anything with him though! I give him all his treats, I feed him, clean his cage, care for him and talk to him and take him out and play but he always goes to my mom! I will be playing with him and he will run over and snuggle inmy moms neck and will leave me sad... Its not like shes home all day when im at school because she is at her school.... he is out whenever im home but only hangs around my mom! What can I do to let him like me more! I try bonding with him, Ive taken him into separate rooms with my mom not there and he still doesnt like me! Please Help!

 

[Pookamama]

Sorry, the hard truth is that birds play favorites. There is no way to make him like you better than your mom. As long as you keep being gentle and patient, and giving him his favorite treats, he will let you hold him and so forth. It also helps if you take him into strange situations- a new place where you are the only familiar thing. Don't take it personally. You haven't done anything wrong. Birds are just little weirdos. And TAGs can be one-person birds. After my husband has worked with Pepper lots, she will let him hold her, but she definitely prefers me, and will only let him scritch her once in a while.

When you say he doesn't like you, what do you mean exactly? Does he try to nip you? Or does he just want to be with your mom instead?

 

[lotosha]

Did you try a clicker training? Maybe it will help....

 

[Mybestfriendisaparrot]

Pookamama- What I mean by she doesnt like me is when i go to play with her she will yell and fly away even. Sometimes she will go to bite me. She used to let me scratch her neck before i introduced her to my mom, then once she met my mom everything changed. Even if she is by me, as soon as my mom walks into the room she runs to her and hates me, she will bite me if i go near her and she will just not be the bird i knew when I got her. Honestly I dont mind a lot that she likes my mom much more then me, but the fact she is getting more vicious and when im older and i move out she will come with me, then what? She will never be able to come out because of her biting? Also its very sad that when I got her we had such a nice bond and now its all ruined... she is my only christmas gift I got... and i got her in august.... she was an early christmas gift... so its kind of sad that my christmas gift and something ive wanted for years, hates me. It even sometimes makes me wanna cry that I've taken weeks and weeks of tryting to bond with her more and etc, but she does even care one bit.

 

[Pookamama]

Well, if it's just been weeks, then don't worry too much about it. Keep in mind, greys are SLOW to change. We've had Pepper for four months now and she's still changing in how she bonds with each of us. You will just have to be patient, keep trying, don't give her a big reaction when she bites. Try to spend time with her everyday where your mom is not around, where it's you and her, play with special fun destructive toys, have treats, and YES clicker training! Food can be the key to a beautiful relationship! What's her favorite treat?
http://trainedparrot.com/

Also, if your mom wasn't around, she would bond with you more. So don't worry if your mom continues to be the favorite. Just keep working with her, alone, and be patient. Even if your mom is the favorite until you move out, if she only has you after you move out you will have to be the favorite. She's a young bird, she may decide you are her new favorite when she hits puberty like some other parrots do.

 

[Mybestfriendisaparrot]

Okay thanks! This makes me feel better! Thanks you!