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[MCCADS]

Like how? I assumed you should tell them 'no' in a firm voice, you obviously don't want to give them a treat? What do you suggest?

[Michael]

Saying "no" in any voice IS giving them a treat. MCCADS, you are positively reinforcing biting. This means you are doing something that increases the likelihood of the parrot biting you again. In other words, you are teaching it that biting is a good thing.

[MCCADS]

So, do you just not react and not do or say anything when you receive a bite?

[Michael]

Reasons Why Punishment Should Be Avoided With Parrots

[MCCADS]

I know this sounds lame, but I tend to understand things better put in simple words. Can you please just tell me basically what I should do when she bites again? thanks!

[MCCADS]

I watched your video, so, if my bird latches on to me and is biting - I do nothing? I don't understand, I guess I feel by letting it bite me, it's winning - but that's why I'm looking for more professional advice from you. Can you at least pull your hand away or move away from the bite before it becomes damaging? Thanks.

[liz]

Cover it's head with your other hand calmly. It will let go.

[Michael]

I know this sounds lame, but I tend to understand things better put in simple words. Can you please just tell me basically what I should do when she bites again? thanks!

Definitely read the articles. I get asked these questions so many times so I end up writing an article where I have the chance to elaborate way more than I have time for in individual answers. If after reading you have specific questions, then I can try to answer.

I watched your video, so, if my bird latches on to me and is biting - I do nothing?

Well, the main thing is not to react or have any kind of response to it. Get your hand out to protect yourself and do whatever you gotta do. But don't say no. Don't put the bird into cage. Don't squirt water. Just stay where you are and do nothing for 10-60 seconds. Just completely indifferent and unemotional. When you have a close bond with your parrot, it's a slightly different story. If my parrot bites, I just shake her off and she is punished by not being able to continue spending time on me. But that is different because she won't lose trust with me over it, she can fly, and to her not getting to be on me some more is punishing. Since your parrot has not bonded to you yet, pretty much anything you could do would work against you.

The most important thing is to use prevention. Prevent bites through smart manipulation of yourself and training. But if/when they happen, you must not create any kind of reaction.

I don't understand, I guess I feel by letting it bite me, it's winning - but that's why I'm looking for more professional advice from you.

There is no winning for you no matter what you do when a bite occurs. You still lose cause you got hurt. But the way the bird wins for sure is if you reinforce biting. If the bird wants you to stop touching it but you keep touching, if you stop touching after it bites, then it was negatively reinforced for biting. If the bird is hungry/tired and wants to be put back in the cage and bites you and then you put it away, then it was positively reinforced for biting. Birds learn to bite their owner this way to signal things that they want. By giving in and doing what they want (whether you know it or not) will ensure that biting will occur with greater frequency in the future. Since you don't know what reactions will cause the bird to bite more, by not reacting at all you have the best chance of not doing something that encourages further biting. It doesn't matter if you say "ouch," "no," "bad bird," or whatever. The words are meaningless if they are without consequence. However, parrots like being talked to so they can learn to bite you just to get a noise out of you (like one of those dolls where you pull a string to make it talk). Get your hand away, fine. Try to not even put yourself in a position to be bit. But if biting occurs, don't engage in any kind of reaction.

[liz]

I like that: one of the dolls that you pull the string. That is like Rambo attacking my aunt to hear her scream. He loves to hear her scream.

[MCCADS]

I am trying to think of an inexpensive way to make a type of tabletop playgym for my bird using PVC pipe. I see out on the internet, that alot of people attach 'sisal' rope for the perches. Does anyone know how you would attach it? Non-toxic glue? Anyone know where to find instructions on making one of these? Thank you!