***Big Birds With Big Beaks Will Bite You***

[StephenAndKyleigh]

Mark is my idol. Just wanted to get that out of the way.


My .02 with socialization is to start off with bird people. People who understand birds and their behavior. In doing this, people understood when Kyleigh was scared to slow down..or to completely back off. Versus an overly excited stranger that wants to run behind her and pet her back.

When she was less than 10 weeks I could take her anywhere. Then she began to learn that she is a scary big and blue exotic bird...AKA...the macaw bluff..

Bird people know the macaw bluff and dont run away in fear.

She is doing a good job now in public. I let people treat her instead of pet her first. It identifies people with treats. I think I said that earlier...

But, I do think that every bird can be socialized no matter how "bad" they are or how old they are.

 

[Lullx]

This is amazing! I'm working on harness training my african grey (so close!) and hope to take her with me to a ton of places and have people give her almonds and other treats. I'm really glad to see that someone else is having success with it!

Thank you so much for sharing

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

This is amazing! I'm working on harness training my african grey (so close!) and hope to take her with me to a ton of places and have people give her almonds and other treats. I'm really glad to see that someone else is having success with it!

Thank you so much for sharing

Be sure to go slooooooooooooooooooow. Harness training wont happen in a day...probably not even a weeek..Take your time!

 

[DexMom]

You are my hero. I wish I had the temperament and patience to get my Dexter to that point. We plan to start harness training early next year, with the hope that by spring we can take him out. But, I don't expect to be able to let people touch or handle him for a loooooong time.

 

[Lullx]

We've been training to use the harness for a few months now!
My Nephele is very nervous by nature, so I had to get especially slow and at her pace, but we've made amazing progress and are almost done! The best part is that she looks forward to harness training and "reminds" me that it's time by grabbing her harness and tossing it so I pick it up haha

I had to start by bribing her with an almond to stick her head through the loop, but now she'll sit with it on her neck and (sometimes) around her wings, but not fully secured yet without an almond prompt. Of course she still gets the almond as her reward after. They're her favorite and she's eager to do whatever to earn them.

 

[kiwination]

this is so inspiring!! tell her i said shes the cutest mushy birb!!

 

[Birdman666]

Mark is my idol. Just wanted to get that out of the way.

My .02 with socialization is to start off with bird people. People who understand birds and their behavior. In doing this, people understood when Kyleigh was scared to slow down..or to completely back off. Versus an overly excited stranger that wants to run behind her and pet her back.

When she was less than 10 weeks I could take her anywhere. Then she began to learn that she is a scary big and blue exotic bird...AKA...the macaw bluff..

Bird people know the macaw bluff and dont run away in fear.

She is doing a good job now in public. I let people treat her instead of pet her first. It identifies people with treats. I think I said that earlier...

But, I do think that every bird can be socialized no matter how "bad" they are or how old they are.

Nothing to be idolized here. Just a bird nerd...

You really have done an amazing job of training her... and she's going to be a super bonded companion bird for life now because of the work you've done with her.

And that's exactly right! The more they learn they have the ability to "bluff" and drive people away, the more they do the big bad bird thing.

You are essentially overriding their natural survival instincts, which says don't risk getting that close to a predator. And I absolutely agree that every bird can be socialized. It's just a question of how long will it take, and what do they respond to. There are things that generally work. But one size does not fit all. If the usual things don't work, try something else, until you find something that does.

 

[Jessw931]

We would love to harness train our b&g, how did you guys start off training yours?

 

[Solo]

So jealous! Stores around here aren't so tolerant. I took Phoebe to Ace where they nearly asked me to leave until I pointed out the sign on their door stating all pets welcome if leashed. She had her harness and leash so fit in that category. Sounds like Kyleigh is doing great!

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

We would love to harness train our b&g, how did you guys start off training yours?

Honestly, theres a DVD that comess with the aviator harness. I just followed those steps. I think it is on youtube if you search for it as well

So jealous! Stores around here aren't so tolerant. I took Phoebe to Ace where they nearly asked me to leave until I pointed out the sign on their door stating all pets welcome if leashed. She had her harness and leash so fit in that category. Sounds like Kyleigh is doing great!

I finally had someone "ask me to leave." But I frequent that store all the time and spoke with the manager who apologized for his employee. lol