Can an older bird stop swearing?

[jka]

I'm looking for an older African Grey and found one possibly, though there is someone ahead of me that may adopt him. I'm posting now because whether it is this bird or another, the same problem may occur. This bird is 32 years old, friendly to females and funny. The woman is re-homing him, after having him for 2 years, because the bird hates males, so she can't let it out of its cage when her husband or son are around. - the bird is aggressive towards them and bites but is super sweet with her. I live alone, so this wouldn't be a big problem for me, but I have been hesitant because of the birds language. He is quite a talker, but the f word and many more like it are kind of a constant stream when he talks. The previous owners who had him for 30 years, taught him these things.
Can an older bird be conditioned to reduce saying certain things? I would very much want to be able to somehow condition him to reduce (elimination may not be doable) saying offensive things.
I'm asking now so that if I find another older African Grey that uses foul language, I'd like to know if it is possible to reduce him saying these things or is it just something I'd have to consider my tolerance for if I adopted him.

 

[texsize]

It is possible but you might not completely eliminate it.

Not reinforcing the undesirable language is first.
Don’t react at all.
No laughing, no nothing, just ignore it.
Second don’t use language around the bird you don’t want to hear, only say nice stuff.

Words and phrases come and, fall in/out of fashion for a parrot.

There is a good chance you can shift her/his vocabulary

 

[rheashard2]

Best is to ignore the language. Paying attention positively or negatively can be considered a reward. Use TV, computer, tablet to play children rated for other language. Then positively reward different words w treats and/or verbal praise. Try to pay attention to triggers for it and minimize or stop it. CAG's can turn any word or phrase into an irritating and embarrassing itch. Sadly they tend not to unlearn something. But can learn to substitute something else. Hopefully the phrase use will decrease over time. It took a year to get my CAG to substitute the pharse wake up, go to work instead of the horrible Japanese verbal alarm phrase my daughter likes.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

You would probably just have to get used to some colorful language. If you love your bird you can overlook it. He's not a foul mouthed bird. He has no idea what he's saying, poor thing! I really hate when people turn an innocent dignified bird into an embarrassment. Save the poor creature!

 

[jka]

It is possible but you might not completely eliminate it.

Not reinforcing the undesirable language is first.
Don’t react at all.
No laughing, no nothing, just ignore it.
Second don’t use language around the bird you don’t want to hear, only say nice stuff.

Words and phrases come and, fall in/out of fashion for a parrot.

There is a good chance you can shift her/his vocabulary

Thank you, this makes good sense

 

[jka]

Best is to ignore the language. Paying attention positively or negatively can be considered a reward. Use TV, computer, tablet to play children rated for other language. Then positively reward different words w treats and/or verbal praise. Try to pay attention to triggers for it and minimize or stop it. CAG's can turn any word or phrase into an irritating and embarrassing itch. Sadly they tend not to unlearn something. But can learn to substitute something else. Hopefully the phrase use will decrease over time. It took a year to get my CAG to substitute the pharse wake up, go to work instead of the horrible Japanese verbal alarm phrase my daughter likes.

I appreciate your view on this, seems like it can be modifed.

 

[jka]

You would probably just have to get used to some colorful language. If you love your bird you can overlook it. He's not a foul mouthed bird. He has no idea what he's saying, poor thing! I really hate when people turn an innocent dignified bird into an embarrassment. Save the poor creature!

This is a good mindset to use. As mentioned, there is another person in front of me for this bird, but it is encouraging with each of the words of advise from this post, that either this bird or with another one which I might get, some modification is possible and then just love the bird anyway.

 

[Jcas]

I actually have some personal experience with this, not with a Gray but with an older Quaker parrot who was rehomed to me. JJ came from what was described to me as “ an R rated” household. I definitely heard him drop the F word early on after I adopted him.

Everything that the above posters mentioned has been true for me. We don’t swear in our house so JJ doesn’t hear those words ever. I also don’t watch videos, tv etc that might have swearing when he is around. I never respond to his salty language. After having him for over two years now, I honestly never hear him use foul language anymore. It was greatly reduced within a couple of months, I would say, just by my ignoring the words and not letting him hear any swearing. So I definitely think that the language can be modified. But, as mentioned, it may never disappear completely so it might be something you would have to tolerate in small amounts. Best of luck in finding a Gray to welcome into your life

 

[jka]

I actually have some personal experience with this, not with a Gray but with an older Quaker parrot who was rehomed to me. JJ came from what was described to me as “ an R rated” household. I definitely heard him drop the F word early on after I adopted him.

Everything that the above posters mentioned has been true for me. We don’t swear in our house so JJ doesn’t hear those words ever. I also don’t watch videos, tv etc that might have swearing when he is around. I never respond to his salty language. After having him for over two years now, I honestly never hear him use foul language anymore. It was greatly reduced within a couple of months, I would say, just by my ignoring the words and not letting him hear any swearing. So I definitely think that the language can be modified. But, as mentioned, it may never disappear completely so it might be something you would have to tolerate in small amounts. Best of luck in finding a Gray to welcome into your life

Thank you for this. I appreciate knowing you had such a positive outcome.

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

I think the most important thing is to not let the bird teach YOU how to cuss!

 

[jka]

I think the most important thing is to not let the bird teach YOU how to cuss!