here we go again...arm biting

[Kirsten]

So Skittles has picked up a new habit. He bites my arm. Pinches it actually. I just can't keep random treats around all the time unfortunately so usually I have to resort to blowing in his face or holding beak firmly as a means of discipline. The neck biting still happens but has gotten better since I've been eating while Skittles is on his perch. He also has gotten better since getting his wings and nails trimmed. Usually the arm biting starts when we are playing or if he is grumpy and wants to sleep. Either way, it HURTS! It's difficult not to react to this. I'm curious if anyone has found any way other than treats to help correct this?

[sidech]

I would just lift my arm up very rapidly and lightly so the parrot has to lift his head to see what's going on, and at the same time say " no bite ". He should stop very quick, as this is not comfortable for him, although not hurtful.

[Michael]

So Skittles has picked up a new habit. He bites my arm. Pinches it actually. I just can't keep random treats around all the time unfortunately so usually I have to resort to blowing in his face or holding beak firmly as a means of discipline. The neck biting still happens but has gotten better since I've been eating while Skittles is on his perch. He also has gotten better since getting his wings and nails trimmed. Usually the arm biting starts when we are playing or if he is grumpy and wants to sleep. Either way, it HURTS! It's difficult not to react to this. I'm curious if anyone has found any way other than treats to help correct this?

This may or may not work in the short term, but in the long term you are setting yourself up for failure. You gotta look into preventing biting in the first place, ignoring it when it happens, learning from what caused it, preventing that, and providing rewards for alternative behavior. This doesn't always have to be treats either. When he bites, he gets nothing for it at all (no attention cause they like attention). But when he is sitting doing nothing or doing something cute, offer petting, toys, treats, attention, whatever. Over time there will be a shift toward greater "good behavior" and reduced "bad behavior". Here are a couple articles I wrote about punishment and positive reinforcement:

http://trainedparrot.com/index.php?bid= ... th+Parrots
http://trainedparrot.com/Good_Behavior
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=285

Take a look and see if it helps you see my reasoning in greater depth.

[Mona]

Hi:

I would wear long sleeves. Is Skittles a baby? If so, I would have an alternative "chew" handy...like a soft toy or a piece of cloth. Babies beak out of curiosity so you can usually train them quite easily not to "bite" by giving them an alternative object to chew.

Other than that, Michael's advice is good.

Thx

Mona