I brought Ozzy home without knowing much at all about caring for birds but given he was to be an inside pet, he was always going to live by our house rules -a home he shares with 5 big dogs, a cat, seahorses ... ahh ... what a challenge!
I've spent the last 20 years working with difficult dog behaviours (and more recently 7 years ago, horses...) all of them without exception always did best with strong leadership and clear boundaries. Get this wrong with multiple horses and you can die. Dogs bite when scared ... mostly because they're unsure. I know horses will kick and bite if they have no respect for a person ... I can't help but wonder why birds or any other animals that survive by numbers would be any different.
Its not about bullying or powering over another beast, the terminology I like is mutual respect. Respecting an animal and what frightens it, what motivates it and what helps it feel safe and secure is key to most of them living in harmony with us humans.
My partner took a big package of animals when he asked me to live with him 7 years ago There was never a question of them or me - or that they would suddenly live outside. In that though I respect the fact that I it is up to me to keep things clean so he doesn't feel like he's living in a zoo. I get that ... so I spend a lot of time cleaning...but throw me an altimatum and the animals would win because I feel they depend on me more.
I have taken in dogs that have been abused, and the best way I have found to overcome their unwanted behaviours is to ensure the action does not profit them. In other words, give them no good reason to repeat the behaviour. It takes a great deal of consistency and as many as 20-30 repeatitions before the message gets through but I have found it never fails.
Ozzy has had the same - he can bite of course, he's just a baby and like most young animals, they need to learn bite control. A simple 'Ahhh' with a disgruntled voice seems to get his attention. If he persists, back to the cage he goes.
I've had him less than a week and already when he hears my 'ahhh' he pops his head up and looks at me ... this is good!! "Atta a boy Ozzy...gentle " - positive reinforcement. If he ignores me, "ahh ... back you go" ... he's learning. He loves coming out to play so this behaviour clearly does not profit him.
I have no idea whether birds train like dogs and horses but it seems to be working.
Another thing he does which I hate is flutter his wings like a mad-man. This can happen while he's on my shoulder. Mostly if I am trying to keep him off my keyboard. I am only guessing but assume he's having a little hissy fit. The reason I don't like this is because I don't want that habit to form in case the dogs get excited at his excitement. It's just better if I can discourage it. It's happening less often so I am hoping the message is getting there ... and of course I need to be quick but the, "Ahhh" and then back to the cage.
Anyway ... look this is so sad. I hate it when partners lay down the gauntlet when it comes to animals that are a part of their other halves life. It's unfair ...
If he attacks hubby then its about making sure the bird and hubby can't get tangled up. Likewise if I have a frightened dog that is terrified of men - my partner knows to give that dog a wide birth ... and you know - oddly enough, that dog will eventually (and this may take months), if not pressured or coaxed, make its own way to him. Timing is everything ... just let the animal come of its own accord instead of being coaxed. If there is an unprovoked attack, of course there has to be a non-profit rebuff. Our language is too confusing because most of us lack consistency - simple noises and commands are better.
This is why I love clicker training - we get to shut up (keep our emotions out of it) and let a little toy do the talking for us. Pure genius ... humans shut the heck up and target the behaviour.
Dunno ... tough call. I really feel for you. If you do re-home this bird, please make sure its with someone who is super confident with birds. Give him and the re-home the best possible chance at success.
As for hubby ... mmm ... hope he's worth it. I think ultimatums suck ...
I wish you and your old friend good luck ...
Has anyone had any experience with finding a home for a pet like this?
What grabbed me thou was the fluttering that you try and prevent, I remembered reading about it on the - To clip or not to clip threads. Fluttering is very important for a birds health because of the way that their lungs work. Read a bit more about it cause it is very interesting and important. (If somebody got a link to it, please help me out. I've got a new laptop and no saved favourites.
