biting parrot

[sweetie gwmacaw]

Hello everyone. I'm new to this whole owning a parrot. I posted on here earlier for Target training to get her to focus on good things come with treats and bad behaviour gets nothing. I hoped that would get her to quit biting. She loves my wife. She can get that bird to do anything. Me however not so much. I have watched countless videos but no luck. Tried the whole back of my hand so she don't get no fingers. She got me good. The tip of her beak stabbed the webbing of my finger. I don't know if she feels threatened by me but I give her treats and she is nice. Just my hand she don't like. Is there ever any work shops on this anywhere? Videos are great but I think I need one on one help. Or do I have a lost cause. Any help would be great. Thanks.

[Michael]

Who said use the back of the hand? That's not the right approach. It's not so much about watching videos as reading the articles. The videos are just supplement to what is written to help illustrate but reading the background is essential to understanding positive reinforcement training:

http://TrainedParrot.com/Taming
http://theparrotforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=227
http://theparrotforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1528

If you follow the steps correctly, you should rarely or never get bit at all. Especially if you are patient and really take your time.

[FlyingFarmer]

I am a new poster here too, though I have been lurking for a while.
I grew up with birds, and had lots of experience with Greys in particular. My previous experience was based on outdated methods, though I hadn't realized it until just recently.
I now have a new to me bird, who is a re-home. I had studied the techniques laid out on this forum for months before ever even considering getting a bird. I have to say that if you are very patient and follow the basic steps, you are guaranteed success. I bought my Goffin from a pet store that I have known and trusted since I was a kid. They were very apprehensive in letting me take her home because of her "phobias".
Well, using target training I have managed to get her past most all of that, and make her into a gentle and fun pet in a short time. I still get pinched every now and again, but it's not due to fear or anger. I don't think she had phobias at all, but was merely forced into doing things that she was uncomfortable with.
Target training, is incredibly powerful. I have my wife, and my daughter working with the bird.
We are each at different "levels" of training with the bird, and therefore we can get away with different levels of touch / cuddle etc...
Long story short, follow the steps but take your time. Get the bird totally comfy with the target in the cage, and it will pay off bigtime later. Especially when you need to get it back into the cage when it doesn't want to go!