Bites when training

[DavidF]

I have a couple of issues I'd appreciate some help with.

I've restarted training of Sammie, my 13 1/2 year old white bellied. She's been with me since she was 4 months.
I'm experiencing the same issue I had when I initially started target training. I get her to touch a stick or bell and then reward and click. However, after a few minutes of training she starts getting aggressive and starts attacking the hand holding the target.
I've also tried to train her to open a wooden box with treats but she again gets very territorial towards the box.

She also started going under the TV stand which I admit I allowed for a while as it kept her quiet. But when I discovered she was chewing some wires I built a frame to slip under the stand to keep her out. Of course she quickly learned how to move the frame. I then rigged it so it couldn't be moved and she decided she'd chew through it. Something she became obsessed with doing and again became territorial towards the frame she is chewing through. She had now discovered how to climb up on all the obstacles she can get into the TV stand through the back. How can I dissuade her from the stand.

Sammie gets a lot of out of cage time and attention.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Flboy]

Shorten the training, followed by whatever is her greatest fun! Good luck on the stand!

 

[DavidF]

Unfortunately her greatest fun now is trying to get under the TV. Birds... SMH

 

[SilleIN]

Caiques are known to be food obsessive/aggressive and training usually involves food- the good stuff Have you tried to give her treats in a bowl instead, when she earns her reward? It could be a way of removing you from her food/treats.

As for the tv stand- I would think she's made it her nest. Does she have a sleeping box in her cage? Caique are cave dwellers and wants to sleep in small confined spaces. If she doesn't have a sleeping box, she may think the tv stand is ideal. She probably wont stop until she finds a better spot.

 

[Laurasea]

You might find helpful tips in this article
https://blogpamelaclarkonline.com/2018/06/19/teaching-a-fearful-parrot-to-step-up/

 

[DavidF]

Thanks for the input. She has had sleeping huts but she destroys them and with the closing of Drs. Foster and Smith I haven't ordered any new ones. I believe she had one when the TV issue started but I'll see if that helps. I've also offered her a box with toys to crawl into but she isn't interested.

 

[noodles123]

That's because the box is like a sexual nest--- no boxes, no caves, no shadowy places EVER. You should never give them access to boxes to crawl into--it triggers hormones affiliated with nesting and that is a mess you want to avoid. I know birds "love it" but it's not good for them in the long run and can cause aggression, screaming, plucking etc. The fact that she was also going under the tv stand and shredding proves this is hormonal-- do not allow access to any shadowy spaces and I would bet money that within 1 month, biting will decrease. Also, pet on the head and neck only.

In my opinion---no nest is needed.
Caiques to not need a special nest unless you want them to lay eggs etc. They can be just fine without a "cave" (in my opinion).
Cockatoos are also "cavity dwellers" but it's bad news when they get access----mine is obsessed with cabinets and the dishwasher...which is why she never goes into them.
It's not necessary for a cockatoo to have a cavity..Much better when they don't have one.

 

[Laurasea]

This link talks about behavior, down lowere talks about biting
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/bird-behavior/

This one is pretty good too, I found several tips I liked
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/

Also my Ta-dah gets bored once she figures a trick out, then she might bite me too. Lol shes like " I'm smart!, Give me something new! "