Hand-phobic

[Holden1960]

G'day all,

Jacob seems to be fitting in nicely and we are working well with him.

He enjoys target training and will do whatever we ask of him for treats (usually small pieces of nut or fruit, but he absolutely hates anyone touching him.

He is happy to sit on any of our shoulders and steps up onto our hands, but as soon as anyone tries to actually touch him, he becomes agitated and even agressive.

Any thoughts???

 

[Betrisher]

That's not uncommon with many of the parakeets (Alexandrines being the largest of these). I've had my pair for three years and to this day, they hate being touched anywhere on their bodies, despite my trying to bribe them with treats etc.

I believe some of our members have managed to teach their Alexes to accept scritches and other kinds of touch, but I wouldn't be surprised or discouraged if yours won't. Alexes are very affectionate and simply show it on their own terms. My Beaks are very bonded to me and are happiest when parked on my shoulders or swinging off my hair!

If you want to try to teach your young Alex to accept touches, take it very, very slowly and reward, reward, reward. If it works: lucky you! If it doesn't: oh well, there are lots of other tricks an Alex can learn! One thing my pair does enjoy is to lick peanut butter or honey from the tip of my finger. That might be a way for you to start touching your bird?

Best of luck with it and do let us know how you get on.

 

[Kiwismum]

My Alex loves to have his feathers ruffled by us I'm trying upload a video and can't ?? He sits on my knee puts his head down in the "STROKE ME NOW POSITION" lol. I'll try and upload vid. Kiwi was petrified of hands when got him now he will step up from inside his cage. Don't get me wrong sometimes he looks like he isn't happy to do so but I find if I look away he just gets in with it. Kiwi likes new chewy toys as rewards too. Gotta just line em.

 

[PetoftheDay]

In time, as long as all touching is accompanied by nice things, he may get used to it. Patience, bribes, patience and more patience. But of course, to a wild bird, being touched is dangerous - only done by predators when death is imminent - so it is instinct-based fear.