Shoulder addict..:(

[Jessica_rabbitt]

Hi:) I just adopted an 8 month old Senegal who is obssesed with sitting on my shoulder!!! I was told that this is a dominance thing and that I should try and break him of the habit if he is perched on my finger he will fly at my face screeching in order to get to the shoulder.. he is a very gentle parrot doesn't bite (hard;)) if anyone has any suggestions that would be great:)

[lainmai]

I'd start slow & with the basics. Is he target trained?

[Jessica_rabbitt]

He is but very green at it:) I just started about two days ago with it and he is taking to it very well!!:)

[Michael]

I don't think it has anything to do with dominance. They just tend to feel safer up there. However, a parrot that is obsessed with being on a shoulder could become aggressive if you try to remove it. This is why it is important to do shouldering in moderation.

[Jessica_rabbitt]

He is very good with stepping up but he doesn't stay there long... Someone told me to place my thumb on one of his feet but I'm nervous if he flys he will hurt his foot... what else can I do?

[ptuga72]

give him a reason to stay on your finger/hand. reward him for staying there.

[Kim S]

Kika had the same problem when we got him a few months ago, He is about the same age as your senegal. I am still working with him on this. He will still fly up if I dont keep an eye on him or if something spooks him.
My method is just picking him off everytime he fly's up there. Every single time. Eventually he will learn that in order to have a quiet place to sit he will have to stay on your hand, or the armrest, or the tablestand. The only time he is allowed onmy shoulder is when I place him up there.
It takes time, but they are smart and will learn eventually.

The reason I wont let him up there has nothing to do with agression or dominance. Its a very simple reason. When a parrot gets scared, his natural instinct is to bite or attack whatever scares him. If he cant reach that object he will most likely attack the nearest thing. Thats called displaced agression. In a tree that would be the branch he is on. On your hand that would be your finger, but on your shoulder? Your ear? Your nose? Your eyes?

[Marnie]

Marnie wants to do the same thing and i will not allow it. the few times she was on my shoulder she bit my ear and neck. that was it for me.
she still tries but i never let her go there. she has to be on my finger where i have some control, or wherever i put her.

[JadeW]

Good luck with the shoulder breaking! I've been working on that with Cas for a little while and he's finally starting to get it. Just make it so that your finger/hand or knee or wherever you want him is a better place to be. Always on your terns tho, you're still the boss!

[Jessica_rabbitt]

Thanks guys!!!
We have been workin on it for a few day now and he is starting to get it he is a bit cheeky tho!!:) he doesn't try it with me much anymore but if any company comes over or my husband is near he will side step right over to them and climb up their arm!:) brat! Lol! ;D