Father plucking

[Nokota]

Hey about those dogs

I've found a very effective method to train a dog to avoid a parrot, something I did before getting a new parakeet after our puppy ate our old one. (RIP Milo)

I got a piece of foam, shaped it like a bird, and got some feathers. The feathers were rubbed in bird crapp at the pet store so it would smell like parakeet. I stuck the feathers into the foam "bird" in the manner of wings and tail. Next, I removed the dogs from my living room, took out my trumpet (anything loud and obnoxious will do), and strung the "bird" from my ceiling fan via nylon thread (super strong, but thin enough the dog wouldn't notice it)

After turning the ceiling fan on low I let the dog into the room. The puppy went straight for the mysterious flying thing and upon nearing it was given a loud blat from the trumpet. Six or seven more passes as the "bird" for the following hour and the resulting horrible noise got him the idea.

This is called "Negative reinforcement" and is effective at teaching, especially with dogs, but should always be followed up with positive reinforcement or they will shortly forget what they learned.

The next step is to take the "bird" down and, dangling it from the thread, slowly follow the dog around with it and wave it at him. Each time the dog willingly moves away from the bird, he gets a treat. Do this for about a week if your dog is of the smarter variety, longer if he's not.

Cooper has avoided Peeper from the moment we got him, never coming closer than 3 feet from the bird willingly. They are both much older now. It has been over a year since the training and Cooper still moves away from the bird, although it is very funny to sit Peeper on his back and watch him try to run away while the bird is on his back... Quite funny.

I hope this helps you!

[liz]

You went to extensive work to train Cooper. Very good.

Put don't pick on Cooper by letting him think the bird is attacking by being on his back.

[Nokota]

Ohhh he doesn't think Peeper is attacking him, he's just conditioned to walk away from the bird. He doesn't panic or anything, just tries to walk away from something apparently attached to him. It is quite funny when he realizes Peeper is still there, starts running/shaking, and peeper flies off ^_^

[liz]

Not funny.

[Shelby]

Cooper still moves away from the bird, although it is very funny to sit Peeper on his back and watch him try to run away while the bird is on his back... Quite funny.

I don't think it's funny. And I think that it would undo some of the training. If you're the one putting Peeper on Cooper's back, he may eventually begin to think it's OK for Peeper to be on his back and OK to be near the bird. Plus, think about your poor bird when the dog tries to shake him off.

[derekismyname]

definitely get the bloodwork done, it's part of owning a parrot, also the change in food and environment could be making her nervous, one of my greys is on haloperidol, an antianxiety medication. There is an omega 3 powder available to put in the pellet food. Changing a birds food should always be done gradually, you must spend time with the bird as well as give her fruits and vegetables, have you gone to the vet yet? Leave the door open for longer periods and train your dog to leave her alone! Don't clip the wings. READ up on parrots and their behaviors, RESEARCH anywhere you can think of for information. The INTERNET is a good place to start. Crumpled newspaper in the cage bars may help, find something she likes to eat and hide it wrapped in newspaper inside a papertowel roll in the bars of her cage. Parrots like to forage for things. Take her to a vet.

[derekismyname]

man, you should teach yourself about bird ownership or find someone who can care for it properly, this forum is no magic bullet for your laziness. I'm sorry for being blunt but you make me nervous with your lack of interest in researching about your grey. Parrots are a great responsibility and require responsible owners, did you take her to a vet yet? I have taken my congo to the vet 4 times in the past 2 months for her plucking problem. I would wake up if i were you and solve this problem as quick as possible because mine's plucking WAS so bad that there was blood all over her cage and her body because she was ripping out the tubes where the feathers attach to her wings,it's a god awful sight, you don't want to go there! So please , WAKE UP !!! congo greys are known to have emotional problems and are very sensitive. Please, do the right thing.