Lunging

[olivia.charlie.xox]

Hi,
My IRN is 3 in April and all of a sudden he's decided to be really violent lunging all the time, is this just his age or are we doing something wrong ? Thanks.

 

[MonicaMc]

Since lunging is a form of communication, he could be more "trigger happy" due to hormones.


This would be a good article to read... as many people will say that he's bluffing when in fact he's meaning business.


Barbara's Force Free Animal Training Talk: Do Animals Bluff?

 

[olivia.charlie.xox]

Thank you for your advice. I read through the article and have come to the conclusion to not step where not wanted. Although I'm usually quite easy going with him I think its time to show him that if he isn't going to be his usual self he wont get what he wants. What type of things are good treats for them?

 

[SilverSage]

I haven't had a chance to read the article yet, but irns are a very unique species. I hate the term bluffing, it implies that you need to call their bluff, which is NOT a good way to handle the bird. In my experience, a sudden change like this usually has to do wi fear. The fear doesn't have to make sense to you to be real. Did something in the house just change? A new piece of furniture, new glasses on someone, new cage, new toy, new family member, change in routine? Did someone become too forceful with the bird recently, breaking his trust somehow?

It could be hormones also, though at his age I would have expected the issue to arise last year rather than this. Is someone snuggling him? Is his diet high fat? Is he not getting enough sleep?

I will read that article soon

 

[itchyfeet]

So when he does a lunge, what is the situation? Is it that there is a hand in his cage? Is it when someone particular is in the house? How are you handling it at the moment? I agree with SilverSage re: hormones. Maybe but probably not - sounds behavourial.

As for treats, you'll have to try a few and see what works Henry has a dried fruit and nut mix that he'll get a piece of two of, and he goes crazy for banana. How long have you had him?

 

[olivia.charlie.xox]

I haven't had a chance to read the article yet, but irns are a very unique species. I hate the term bluffing, it implies that you need to call their bluff, which is NOT a good way to handle the bird. In my experience, a sudden change like this usually has to do wi fear. The fear doesn't have to make sense to you to be real. Did something in the house just change? A new piece of furniture, new glasses on someone, new cage, new toy, new family member, change in routine? Did someone become too forceful with the bird recently, breaking his trust somehow?

It could be hormones also, though at his age I would have expected the issue to arise last year rather than this. Is someone snuggling him? Is his diet high fat? Is he not getting enough sleep?

I will read that article soon

We've had him since he was 3 month old he seems to every now and then have these stages and then he will go back to his usual self. He will normally cuddle you and loves to be tickled but now every time you go to do that he will lunge at you. He will lunge if you try to get him out of his cage but he always has and we guessed it was a territorial thing for him to do. His routine is the same but the time in which me and my sister are out has increased and he is in with my mam and dad. He will scream to go to bed at around 8:30 and will do until we put his cover on he gets up when we do and on a school morning he will get up and come upstairs with us. Other then that nothings changed.

 

[MonicaMc]

If he's in his cage when he's lunging, you might try giving him a treat cup and every time you walk by, drop a treat inside the cup. Also, try walking by the cage slower to see if 'fast' movement makes him lunge. If it does, walk slower and talk calmly and quietly to him.

Get him accustomed to thinking you guys are good things again. You don't need to handle him, just keep associating good things with you.


If he's on a seed diet, put him on a pelleted diet and use seeds as treats! Try dried fruits and nuts (not peanuts!) as treats! Anything he enjoys!


Here's some other good articles worth reading.


https://larajoseph.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/putting-behaviors-on-cue-knowingly-or-unknowingly/
https://larajoseph.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/the-proof-is-in-the-pudding/