Neediness !

[MTOO58]

I have a relatively new, ten year old male U2. I have noticed that lately he has been very needy in regards to when I am home always wanting to cuddle. Any inability to do this results with frustrational behavior and some screeching. I would like to discourage this behavior and eliminate this habit so he can just entertain hisself on his play stand while I am home. Any suggestions would really be appreciated.

 

[MikeyTN]

This requires you to not hold them often. The main issue to me is most give the toos way too much attention then wonder why they started developing behavior issues. It is very hard to retrain them afterwards. With Dixie, she can entertain herself on her playstand without fuss. She used to fly to us constantly but not anymore. I give her independence and cut back on constantly holding her and such. She used to scream none stop for awhile but eventually she learned the process and haven't had any trouble with her since.

 

[MikeyTN]

This doesn't work with all the toos as I had to give up on a U2 due to the fact he was dangerous.

 

[Birdman666]

Toos have to be taught to self entertain.

They are prone to what I call spoiled bird syndrome. It's like holding a baby every time it cries, and then it cries every time you go to set it down...

Structured interaction is best. Same thing happens more or less the same time every day. This is your inside the cage time. This is your outside the cage time. This is the time we eat. This is the time we sleep. This is the time you get attention from me. This is the time you have to learn to play nice and reasonably quietly, on your own...

 

[Siobhan]

You might try inventing a game. What does he like to do? If he hasn't shown you anything, make up one for him. I saw a video on Facebook that gave me the idea to buy plastic cups for Rocky. It took a while but eventually he learned what they were for -- to throw, to destroy, to make noise with. He prefers to play with them with us, but he will play with them on his own, too. He likes to chew up newspaper and phone books, and it took some time to teach him that, too. He's also very needy and would prefer to spend all his time getting cuddled, but obviously, that's not possible.

 

[MTOO58]

I hope I get more responses however, everyone's input has been veryhelpful. Thanks so much. I also especially agree with Birdman on the structured time concept and spoiled brat syndrome.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Mine is quite needy if I have been out of the house and has to 'check all is well with flock leader' when I return, once reassured he will go back into his cage with instruction. A treat and some encouraging words help too. If I bypass giving him a couple of minutes reassurance he will not settle till I do and it takes longer. They don't understand the fact we have to leave them and a routine is reassuring. Good luck with him.