My Meyers Parrot Training Progress

[Pajarita]

Lots of people believe in extra sensorial animal communication... I don't. And it's not because I don't have an open mind, haven't pursued or researched the subject because I do and have (there is a lady in Pennsylvania who does this and actually gives classes) but I've never found any evidence that what they figured out was not done through 'normal' methods which I what I do. I am VERY good with animals with issues both medical and emotional but I don't consider myself a whisperer or anything like that. I am simply VERY good at observing them, have an excellent memory and A LOT of experience both in years, species and the sheer number of birds I've cared for... so I do very well with them and they do very well with me.

In any case, the fact that he is at ease with you doesn't mean that there is no trauma (birds don't pant the way you described unless they are almost completely overwhelmed by anxiety), and it certainly does not mean that he will get over it so, please, take this into consideration and be very careful because stress kills birds and captivity is already stressful enough for them.

[seagoatdeb]

So far Sunny has only had 4 episodes and 99.9 percent of the time is a happy, acrobatic, explorer, who loves some affection. So I am happy with his progress. More than that he is a blessing to our little family. Gaugan may feel insecure, but she is nicer to everyone else and she is eating more raw and wet foods than ever before in her life due to Sunny. He is such a interactive little guy and loves to chirp and practice talking when any of us talk or whistle at him. We get quite the conversatios going, between all of us....lol

[Wolf]

In many respects the question of extrasensory perception involving animals or not is very much akin to the question of the existence of GOD and this is not the place that I choose to discuss these items, this is where I come to receive factual and accurate information about parrots. Your personal beliefs are yours and you are welcome to believe what you choose to believe. I just don't want to go too far off the topic of parrots and into the realm of personal and individual beliefs.

[seagoatdeb]

Will just keep things to carefull and thoughtfull oberservations and kindness to parrots. They are so easy to be kind to. I am doing my best to give Sunny a good home and I welcome any thing that will help with that. There is such a thing as being too protective of parrots. I will not be bringing him outside untill next year but I would never consider keeping an animal in a house and never letting it outside as a good thing. I would hate to spend my life indooors never being able to be outside and I am more domesticated than a parrot. I also would never put a baby parrot in a partially covered cage and limit my family coming over, when he is used to being out of the cage all day, is comfortable with my family and enjoys it so much, just because he had a few fear episodes about specific things. That would be like punishing him for having a few fear episodes. We as human beings can have a tendency to overprotect our parrots and that can close down their lives. Instead we want our parrots to have the best quality life they can and not shield them so much they cant have it. I would never expose a parrot to fear intentionally, and I have heard a concern I might, thats not who I am. So I have my own request here, can we keep our comments that are expressing concern to saying it one time only. All my remarks are to reassure people that keep telling me about a concern they have. Lets treat each other with kindness as well as our parrots. Support is appreciated.

[Wolf]

Actually I was not saying that you can't express that you believe in this and use it and my statement was just saying that I would prefer that we don't get lost in a debate on this topic as parrots are what we need to be discussing here on the forum. And Just for clarity this is just my personal opinion on this not any official type of response. I am for whatever works to give our birds the best possible life, and want you to know that my response was not meant to be directed at you it was just meant for anyone as me casting my vote to talk about parrots instead.

[seagoatdeb]

Its okay Wolf, I didnt take it personally. I dont equate naturally occuring phenomena with parrots with God discussions and would never mention that word here. I dont want a debate about that. Anything I said was to reassure people because comments were made that did not seem like they understood the situation very well or had any faith in my ability to be able to access my parrots fear level, even though I am the one here observing. I am 61 years old with a lot of parrot experience. I am here to get support with my new parrot because I want to do my best for him and every parrot is unique. I always research and check all resources I can. I am only asking for kind support and not excessive worry. When I have commented on how much better Sunny is doing, the comments only focused on how he may not be doing so well. There was an absence of supportive comments.

[seagoatdeb]

Oh, poor, poor baby! I was actually quite surprised when you said that he was over his initial extreme anxiety/fright reactions because, in my personal experience (not with babies, mind you, I never buy baby birds, only adopt or rescue), birds that show that degree of anxiety don't get over it that easily. It usually takes years...

I think that you are going to have to change your methods with him (keep him from seeing/interacting with other people, keep his cage in a corner with a towel or something draped over half of it, not take him on trips, etc) because if one goes by studies done with birds, babies that suffer stress remain high-strung for the rest of their lives (and, most likely, that is the reason why the breeder sold him, because she knows he will get better but could not count on him ever been really normal so shows were completely out of the question).

I never said he was over his initial extrememe anxiety-fright reaction, you must have got mixed up. He is not sufferning stress, so that theory isnt applicable here. He had a panic reaction to specific things only. He is happy and not stressed 99 percent of the time. He is progressing very well, so for sure I wouldnt be changing my methods. if its not broke you dont fix it.

[seagoatdeb]

In any case, the fact that he is at ease with you doesn't mean that there is no trauma (birds don't pant the way you described unless they are almost completely overwhelmed by anxiety), and it certainly does not mean that he will get over it so, please, take this into consideration and be very careful because stress kills birds and captivity is already stressful enough for them.

I am the one who told you that I thought he had trauma. I am aware of that and have been taking it into account. I am telling you that he is progressing well. He is happy, learning new things everyday, I have told you a number of times that I do not push him but wait untill he is ready. You have told me your concerns a number of times. Once is sufficient. Please focus on support in a helpfull way. This extreme hypothetical worry about his imagined stress is puzzling to me.

[Pajarita]

[quote="seagoatdeb] This extreme hypothetical worry about his imagined stress is puzzling to me.[/quote]

I am not sure what you mean by 'hypothetical worry' but make no mistake, stress is a fact of life for pet parrots. It's not my opinion, imagined or even an exaggeration, it's very real and confirmed by science studies (even one done on African Grays). It's inevitable when you talk about undomesticated species of specialized needs kept in captivity (zoo animals suffer from it, too, not only pets). But your little one is suffering from more than the normal stress because the panting you described and that he suffered in four different occasions in a very short period of time is the avian equivalent of a human hyperventilating from acute anxiety.

[seagoatdeb]

Yes and that is exactly why I brought it up. Thats what i thought. i am saying you went overboard in your responses about it. Having 4 episodes to something specific and jumping to the conclusion that the bird is living stressfully even when i have told you repeatedly that is not how he is and you cant even see him to make that kind of assessment.