How do you prevent your parrot from over-bonding?

[hannahbird]

Just a little question

[GlassOnion]

Teach it to play by itself in its cage. Offer lots of toys and praise when it plays with them. I find the ability to be independent to be one of the most important qualities in a companion bird.

[kaylayuh]

I offer my birds a variety of toys and cages large enough to play with them. Since the budgies prefer not to be handled, we don't have the bonding problem. With Cheney Bird, I take him out places to socialize him and get him familiar with different situations.

[hannahbird]

So a well socialized bird shouldn't over bond?

[kaylayuh]

That's a tricky question. A bird that's well socialized, in my opinion, is less likely to over bond to one person. Even the best socialized bird may one day decide it's a one person bird and start lashing out at all others and develop behavioral issues. The best way to prevent it is to allow other people to handle the bird and do things with and for the bird regularly.

[hannahbird]

Okay, thanks for your help!

[patdbunny]

I find the ability to be independent to be one of the most important qualities in a companion bird.

Catch them being "good". When Ducky's quiet/quietly playing by himself that's when we go up and talk to him and give him treats, scritches. People tend to ignore their birds when they're quiet. That's actually the time to give them a bit of attention - reinforces that you want that quiet.

This is how I teach independence:
http://staringatbirdsandgoats.blogspot. ... educe.html