Spoiled.....how to correct

[bjpasion]

So, I've came to the conclusion that I have spoiled my Brown headed poi. Anyone have some idea on how to bring her back down a few notches. Shes getting a little tempermental lately, not to the point of biting but warning. After a 5 hour hike yesterday it literally took 45 minutes to attempt to convince her to get in her cage as I needed a nap(we both went on the hike..). However, she was relentless in her effort to stay out of her cage. "We" ended up sleeping on the couch... She has became so attached to me its unreal. Almost seems like she won't eat unless I'm around her...this has me worrying..I put a camera to verify my theory and proved I was correct. She wasn't eating without me being present in the room. I need to correct this; she is a very kind and loving bird else wise, knows a decent vocal of words and sounds. "How doin" is how I'm greeted daily when I get home from work. She hasn't been doing anything with riping feathers out or anything that would appear to being neglected.

Anyone have some thoughts?

BP

[Michael]

Yeah, stop spoiling her and stop worrying about it.

[pchela]

What does she do while your away? Was she playing? Sleeping?

I personally feel very strongly that it is best to have two birds when keeping parrots as pets. They are flock animals and being alone is not a natural state for them. This must have some effect on them. I feel like with two that they can talk to each other and keep each other company during the day. (in separate cages of course)

Of course, adding another bird is a big step. As far as spoiling her, it sounds like you need to work on getting her back into her cage without a fight. There are several articles on the site that deal with positive reinforcement training and I think that would help you a great deal with the problems you are having. It provides some discipline for the bird and is also really good mental stimulation and quality time spent with her. I think I'd make that my first step. Are you familiar with the clicker method of training?

[bjpasion]

While I'm away she sleeps for a little while then she plays with most of her toys. I have it on video of her chewing one of her wood perches which she is on...and you can guess the end result. I rotate toys weekly and constantly add new ones. She has no problem being in her cage if I'm around and showing off like she tends to do. She likes being outside to say the least and anyone of my friends who bring their parrots over(Grey, and Amazon) is shocked at how they get along. So seeing how she interacts with other parrots, i've decided to get another poi(ruppell's specifically).

Michael I do realize I'm spoiling her. I'm trying to not spoil her. I'm trying to figure out the tone you tried to convey in that message..

As for clicker training no I have not had any experience with it. Don't believe it would do much good at the moment trying to start a training routine. This is really the only hiccup we've had over the past few years. She doesn't always fight with going into the cage....it one of those if she in the mood type things or shes not done playing etc..

I will look into those methods though! thank you for the suggestions.

[Michael]

Is the time you are away from home by any chance midday? Like between 10AM-4PM or thereabouts?

If that is the case, see this discussion:

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=3521&p=22044#p22044

[bjpasion]

Actually thats pretty much my work schedule. 10-4:30pm then every other saturday from 8pm - 4:30am

[pchela]

From my understanding, bird eat in the morning and in the evening so her not eating when you aren't home with your work schedule is probably nothing to worry about.

As far as training, you don't have to do anything extensive. It might be helpful just to use positive reinforcement to get her in her cage. Mainly you would just offer her one of her favorite treats when she nicely allows you to put her in her cage. Don't offer the treat any other time. Eventually, and they usually pick things up very quickly, she should go to her cage without problems. You would just have to make sure that you give the treat as soon as she steps down into her cage so she definitely knows that it is because she went in her cage that she's getting the treat.

BTW- how old is she? Most parrots go through a terrible two stage that involves grumpiness and nippiness and other fun things. They also get grumpy when they are molting. So there could be a number of reasons why she's getting bitey.

[bjpasion]

I generally take my lunch break and come home for at least 30 minutes in order to get her out to stretch etc. Note: I'm not implying her cage is small...its 24x32x38" <--cage dimensions.
I specifically get her out and after she plays for a while I dangle an almond in front of her....she runs over steps up...I take her to her cage she gets down and I hand her the almond...i've been doing this for a while now. I treat her and or reinforce her behavor...however we both get tired eventually and I gave up after the hike cause I was beat...lately she has figured out that if i dangle a treat infront of her while most of the time she will come to get it, more and more lately she has been ignoring it...(I've tried many of her treats). I think she may have associated the treats with the cage...?

Shes 2 years and 3 months old now.

[pchela]

She is at the age where she could be hitting sexual maturity which could absolutely lead to some behavior problems.

What behaviors specifically are you trying to correct?

BTW- congrats on getting a Ruppells. They are beautiful. Do you already have one lined up or are you looking around? There aren't too many people that breed them.

[pchela]

This post is by djpasion. He had some trouble posting it so I'm doing it for him.

I have one lined up. Pending DNA, going for a female. I'm not happy with having to ship her in..but a 3 hour flight shouldn't be too bad...I suppose. I've tried searching for posts regarding shipping but not must posting regarding that subject.

The behavior issues that she(Sam) has been exhibiting are those of attempting to try to dominate me. In a sense she specifically goes to my shoulder...any attempt for her to step up will be welcomed with her beak...(not a bite, but she makes it known she doesn't want to leave). For the step up I present the back of my hand, don't need to speak it just the motion and the hand is a signal for her. If I don't approach with the backside of my hand, she welcomes it and turn her head accordingly to get some attention/stratching. She has no issue stepping up inorder to get to me. She has been getting nippy with my girlfriend lately. They have been good friends to each other and lately she has been ignoring and getting slightly agressive towards her.
One odd thing lately is she gets out of the cage....if I don't let her get to my shoulder..she will sit there for a minute or two then start to whimper(like a puppy)...like somethings wrong..scared me half to death the first time she did it. Its a random thing with her whimpering, she comes and goes with it. My girlfriend, Ashley, works nights alot so shes home during the day and she lets her out to play most days and or she is still sleeping.
This may sound odd but could Sam (brown head) be jeleous(sp?) of Ashley? I moved Sam's cage into my study/office from my bedroom, since Ashley gets home so late sometimes and I didn't want her to interupt Sam's sleep.


Brad