Female IRN Sudden Personality Change

[Carabella]

My IRN, Lexi, was hatched last May, so she'll be 9 months old on 2/5. I've had her since she was about 2.5 months. I started her with clicker training and then target training after a couple months. It was going very well, she would step up right away, perch on my shoulder, give kisses and would do anything for a treat.

Then over Christmas we went on a week long vacation leaving all our pets in the care of our neighbors. They did a great job feeding the fids, letting the dogs out, etc.

When we got back, Lexi seemed a bit peeved but still stepped up for treats and scratchies. After a few days it was like she'd been replaced by an imposter. She freaks if I open her cage door, runs away and generally goes nuts. She's fully flighted and has the run of our sunroom, plenty of perches and trees to sit in. But she won't come near me, even though I've started at square one training.

I'm not inclined to clip her wings. I think that may be counterproductive.

Could this be a toddler issue or hormonal behavior? It's breeding season for our male YNA and he's impossible to handle for the next four or five months. I'm wondering if this is the same issue.

 

[thebirdnerd]

Although it's possible that hormones can be to blame, 9 months seems a bit young. It's possible that it's due to the fact that you went on vacation might have confused her into thinking you were gone for good. As for re training I would start at square one like you said and just be persistent with it. She might come around quicker than you think. My female IRN always is more hesitant than my male when it comes to step up. Good luck

 

[Carabella]

Although it's possible that hormones can be to blame, 9 months seems a bit young. It's possible that it's due to the fact that you went on vacation might have confused her into thinking you were gone for good. As for re training I would start at square one like you said and just be persistent with it. She might come around quicker than you think. My female IRN always is more hesitant than my male when it comes to step up. Good luck

I agree she's too young, but thought I'd cover all the bases.

I've been hanging around her cage all day when she's in or out, not looking at her, pretending to fuss with the sofa cushions, resting my hand on the top, looking out the window, walking away if she acts disturbed. Tonight she flew to the floor and at least let me pick her up instead of running away. She hopped to my shoulder and gave me a kiss when I asked, took a treat, then flew back to her cage.

Baby steps.

 

[MonicaMc]

I wonder if something might have frightened her, which has caused this turn in behavior????


Hopefully, you are able to continue making progress with her.

 

[Carabella]

I wonder if something might have frightened her, which has caused this turn in behavior????
Hopefully, you are able to continue making progress with her.

I think she was upset we were gone for so long. She was in great hands, but not taken out every day like I do. She's still so young, she just didn't understand. A week is a long time to a baby.
So, I'm back at step one, just giving her space, not pushing. It's been over a month and she's finally responding to touch training to get a treat once in a rare while, but still runs from me when I approach. She'll let me once in a while scratch her, but she's still not ready to sit on my shoulder and give kisses again yet.
It's going to take some time.