I disagree with Pajarita here. We have different point of views as how to keep a parrot, and I believe that while Pajarita is very often knowledgable, caring and wants the absolute best for parrots, that she misses some of the stuff thats important when you keep a companion parrot.
I believe, and correct me if I am wrong here Pajarita, that its because Pajarita doesnt keep parrot as companion parrots, but rather as a flock in a parrot room. She also doesnt train with them, but let them learn behaviour from the rest of the flock. I also think, and again correct me if I am wrong, that she has A LOT of parrots, and dont have time to interact very much with each individual.
This is all very nice, but it doesnt really work when you have one or two parrots, at least in my opinion.
Pajarita wrote:So my suggestion to you is forget about the training for now and concentrate on getting him to love you and accept him - just let him out of his cage and interact with him without asking him to do anything, talk and sing to him, offer him a treat, share food, etc but don't try to make him do anything. Target training is, in a way, a double-edged sword. It can do good but it can also do bad if you don't handle it correctly.
This I agree with (save from target training and step up training which is great) getting Skeeter to know you guys, and especially your husband should be a top priortity atm. Though I do not see any harm in continuing target training, but dont push the training further than that and step up for the moment.
Also, prioritize that your husband spends time with Skeeter, over you. Unless he comes in and takes over, I very much doubt that Skeeter will percieve it as Mr Weka stealing you from him.
Thats why I said that your husband should train without you in the room, atm you are a distraction for skeeter and hindering him from accepting your husband
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Pajarita wrote:I strongly suggest you both study his body language closer to avoid situations like these -for your benefit and your husband's, yes, but mostly for Skeeter's.
This is also very important, you will learn to see when you are provoking bites and learn to avoid such situations.
Pajarita wrote: I also do not believe that forcing him to work/train with your husband instead of you is the way to go. Parrots are smarter than that...and, although under the right circumstances they are VERY forgiving, they can also hold a grudge for a loooooooong time. Especially if they perceive you are trying to get your way with them. In your husband's case, he might think he is the one keeping him away from you and that's not something they forgive easily...
I believe this is because you dont believe in training in general, and I very much doubt that Skeeter will understand or perceive it that Weka is being kept away by her husband. Thats why she shouldnt be in the room to start with, rather than hand over training half way like described, because THAT might be perceived as her husband interferring.
Training is super important with companion parrots. I dont train mine because I want them to be able to perform tricks, but because it strengthens our bond and my parrots learn that working with and hanging out with me is worthwile. We also work on boundries and trust, all essential things in a relationship with a parrot.
Just skipping training will not work if you have a companion parrot, I think the only reason you are getting away with it Pajarita is because your parrots live in flocks, which most companion parrots in reality do not. We have to adapt to the situation as it is, and do the very best we can from that, rather than lay the seeds for trouble later on by ignoring bad behaviuor and hope for the best.
KimberlyAnn wrote:Also, let your husband give the most favorite treat when he greets Skeeter. That way Skeet knows the treat your husband is holding tastes better then your husband.
jk...but it does really work. Emmi was scared of strangers so I made everyone give her a treat...even the guy who delivered our new couch. He was scared, but I kinda forced him.
But it did work!
Very good idea, let your husband be the bringer of the most tasty of treats
!