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Biting - Approaching it Different Ways

Discuss the methods and techniques of clicker training, target training and bonding. These are usually the first steps in training a young parrot.

Biting - Approaching it Different Ways

Postby Mangoismybird » Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:24 pm

Hey guys. Just bringing up a slight issue with my Jenday Conure.

This is mostly directed at Michael, since I've used his technique, but really any response is greatly appreciated! :thumbsup: :jenday:

I've had my Jenday over half a year now and we've made great progress in our relationship. He's very tame, allows me to handle him anyway I like, he has no fears, plays with his toys, always is dying to come out of his cage, ect. And eats a great deal, and to my everlasting joy, has moved from a seed diet to a much healthier pellet, dried fruit, and the occasional nut diet. :D

However we do have one small problem. While I find that it hasn't really made me 'hate' him, or has negatively affected our relationship (the bites have broken skin but have never made me bleed.)

Anyways I've grown very tolerant of the pain when Mango bites me. I just ignore him, or try to get him interested in a toy or to do a trick for me. However, while this has solved biting for attention, it hasn't really solved the biting.

The reason, -I- believe that it hasn't been working perfectly, is because I don't think Mango's biting for attention. Also he's definitely not biting out of fear or anger - I can easily recognize those bites and he's always dying to come out of the cage and hangout. I think it's more out of boredom - and just being a mouthy conure. He just sort of chews my fingers, hands, ect. Not really hard at times, sometimes very hard, sometimes he just holds my finger is his mouth and is content.

SO. What do I do about this? I've tried giving him a foot toy to play with while on my hand or shoulder - but he always drops them and is more preoccupied with a nice bony finger to chew.

Thank you so much. I'd like to say that it isn't a huge problem for me - I'm not desperate here. But it would be nice to solve. :)
Mangoismybird
Lovebird
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 45
Location: East Coast, USA
Number of Birds Owned: 3
Types of Birds Owned: Cockatiel, Green Cheek Conure, Medium Sulphur Crested Cockatoo
Flight: No

Re: Biting - Approaching it Different Ways

Postby pennyandrocky » Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:50 am

it could be diet. do you give him fresh food or cook for him? try some hot oatmeal or scrambled eggs for breakfast,cook some veggie pasta, and steamed veggies.mya gets a little nippy if she doesn't get at least one hot meal a day.mine also stopped biting when they got their flight back.
pennyandmya
pennyandrocky
Amazon
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 915
Number of Birds Owned: 2
Types of Birds Owned: green cheek conure,ducorps cockatoo
Flight: Yes

Re: Biting - Approaching it Different Ways

Postby Mangoismybird » Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:17 pm

pennyandrocky wrote:it could be diet. do you give him fresh food or cook for him? try some hot oatmeal or scrambled eggs for breakfast,cook some veggie pasta, and steamed veggies.mya gets a little nippy if she doesn't get at least one hot meal a day.mine also stopped biting when they got their flight back.


Pennyandrocky, the biting habit has always been present, and as actually faded snce the diet switch. He does get fed people food and every other day gets bits of whatever hot meal I'm eating. He does prefer food when it's warm. (Had fish tonight: pan-fried sole, but without the fried bits. :) )

As for flight, when i got him he was clipped, but slowly is growing back feathers.
Mangoismybird
Lovebird
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 45
Location: East Coast, USA
Number of Birds Owned: 3
Types of Birds Owned: Cockatiel, Green Cheek Conure, Medium Sulphur Crested Cockatoo
Flight: No

Re: Biting - Approaching it Different Ways

Postby pennyandrocky » Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:19 pm

the biting will likely go away once flight comes that's what happened with mine.
pennyandmya
pennyandrocky
Amazon
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 915
Number of Birds Owned: 2
Types of Birds Owned: green cheek conure,ducorps cockatoo
Flight: Yes

Re: Biting - Approaching it Different Ways

Postby Michael » Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:08 pm

When mine start "playing too hard" I just toss them off. For the most part this discourages that sort of behavior but when it doesn't, it solves it directly.
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Michael
Macaw
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is male
Posts: 6284
Location: New York
Number of Birds Owned: 3
Types of Birds Owned: Senegal Parrot, Cape Parrot, Green-Winged Macaw
Flight: Yes

Re: Biting - Approaching it Different Ways

Postby Khaiqha » Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:54 pm

Flight should help the issue. Your comments make it sound like your bird is bored when this happens, when it can fly again hopefully it can burn off this extra energy.
Khaiqha
Conure
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is male
Posts: 183
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Types of Birds Owned: Alexandrine
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Re: Biting - Approaching it Different Ways

Postby Mangoismybird » Tue Apr 24, 2012 4:17 pm

Thanks everyone. :) I'll just wait it out I guess!
Mangoismybird
Lovebird
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 45
Location: East Coast, USA
Number of Birds Owned: 3
Types of Birds Owned: Cockatiel, Green Cheek Conure, Medium Sulphur Crested Cockatoo
Flight: No


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