Touch Taming

[ViciousPeasant]

Hi people
Long time observer, first time poster here. I recently aquired a 4 month blue headed pionus, he's been with us for a week now and has settled in nicely. He was parant raised, but tame. He will step up, flight recall, target etc no problem, depending how motivated he is.

Now the only place I seem to be struggling is touching, he doesn't bite but will back away or scuttle in the opposite direction if I try to pet him, giving a scratch is comportly out the question as he will simply fly off. He will also only step up if he's If hes motivated (training mode - treats) OR he wants me to put him somewhere, I.e take him out the cage, put him in his sleeping cage.

Now are there any touch de-sensitising or bonding training methods that might be suitable for me to try with him? He is clicker conditioned if that helps. Like I say he's pretty cool when it comes to training, although being young he tends to get distracted easily.

Cheers
Chris

[sidech]

Welcome to the forum !

hum, you have a good question. I wouldn't know what to suggest, every parrot I've had was clipped when I got him. They're easier to tame because they know they can't really fly away, so they bite instead !

So I had to teach Jazz not to bite, and you have to teach your baby not to fly away from you. I guess it's all the same, though, the bird needs to trust you.

Jazz stopped biting when he started trusting me (and learned that my finger wasn't food). It took about 2-3 weeks.

I guess yours would take about the same to trust you. Maybe try to pet him when he's in his cage ? Slowly, but surely ? To start with, then do it outside.

I can't wait to see what others are going to say.

Good luck !

[Michael]

You may find these articles I wrote to be helpful:

http://trainedparrot.com/index.php?bid=20
http://trainedparrot.com/index.php?bid=45

[ViciousPeasant]

Thanks for the links micheal, they where an excellent read, lots of really useful info. I think I'll just give him a bit more time. He's never bitten me out of anger or fright, only the odd little pinch to see if I have food or what have you. The only time I've Been able to give him scritches is when he's tired in his sleeping cage, then it's just tolerating it and after a few seconds he'll shuffle away!!

I have thought about clipping, but I've heard it can actualy worsen things. That and while he's young I'd prefer him to develop his flight skills and muscles.

[GlassOnion]

I just wanted to add in, that you will a lot of patience and it may takes months before your pi comes around. When I first got my tiel, the previous owner told me he didn't like to be touched at all and whenever I tried to touch him he lunged.

For months, I 'forced love' on him slowly ehehe and now he's finally learned that he loves head scratches and will tolerate my petting and cuddling.

[ViciousPeasant]

Thanks all.
I've actually been trying some of Michael's techniques in some of his training guides. He doesn't mind me touching his crop or belly, just his back he doesn't like.

I came across something new today though. He seemed hyper when i let him out the cage when i got home, flying round in circles much faster than normal. It was as if he was trying really hard to earn his treats as he responded immediately to any commands i gave him. He did this for about 5 minuets then got very stroppy and bit me every time i put my finger near, accompanied with an angry squawk.

I did notice he hadn't touched his pellets, so would have gone 6am - 2.30pm without eating. would this explain his hyperness and stroppy bites because he hadn't been fed? The only other time he gets that stroppy is when he's tired and i haven't put him in his night cage where its quiet. His bites dont hurt real bad, so i just let him bite, if he doesnt let go and starts 'digging in' i gently push back, or 'wrestle; his beak.