New macaw owner

[Pinkbirdy]

Hows your guy today ?

 

[Stretchurbeaver]

He's wanting to be with people but wanting to take chunks of skin off

 

[MikeyTN]

Its just gonna take him time....when working with any bird it is best to work with them away from their cage so on a T stand would be better. Birdman's training methods is pretty much what I use as well so listen to him would be helpful.

 

[Buzz2537]

I know it is not the same species but I have done animal rescue the past 18 years, mainly dogs and I specifically work with abused, sick. Hard to place. Another words the ones that even rescue usually do not take. My last was a Yorkie that was found on the side of the road in a gang area. She was half dead when a young girl had the guts to stop in this type of area and help her, when everyone else drove by her. This by the way was a cold ice storm in January. Jumping ahead, she beat all odds and survived. The vet the young girl rushed her to, even knowing he'd probably never see a dime foe the vetting saved her life. Of course no one looked for her or dame for her, so the vet ate $3000 in vet bills and sent her home with my husband and I when she was stable enough to leave and the seven say hold was up. Initially we had no idea the extent of what we had, because remember she was drugged for pain, not Able to stand or walk so her colors weren't really showing other then extreme fear. We had just thought injuries, but once G started healing and moving around some, it became evident that she had been beaten, severely neglected, possibly used for bait or a breeder being attacked b the others as she had punctures all over her. she was just totally broken and in most cases with the behavior she showed, she would have been euthanized. She would attack my other Yorkies, lunge, growl and at times just scream in fear. She had no concept of how to lay down in a house or relax so she would pant and pace anyway you get the picture. Jumping ahead, patience, love and going at her pace not mine she started to trust. With regard to the attacking, Imhad to be stern and let her know it would not be tolerated. I never hit or yell. I simply pick her up and remover her while using two words "leave it." Then place her by herself for five minutes, any longer served no purpose because then they forget why it happened. It took about six months, before the attacking eased and about a year before it fully stopped. G is not perfect, she has triggers that I know how to read and prevent, and because of that she would be hard to place safely, but with all of that said, in 18 years of doing this she is by far turned into the most well behaved Yorkie I have ever had come through my doors. I would suggest to go slow, but be stern when she bites or wants to bite. Use one simple word but do not raise your voice when you say it, just say it with authority. Find one treat she really loves and only give that certain food when she dies something good, that you wanted her to do and again use one easy word w the treat to let her know she did what you wanted her to do, such as good or good girl. I won't lie most that are that broken do bot ever fully heal from it, but they know you helped them and will reward you ten fold. Like I said not the same species but abuse is abuse. I hope it works out for all of you.

 

[Stretchurbeaver]

I know it's gonna take time thanks everyone that has helped

 

[Stretchurbeaver]

Well the bird is still lunging at myself and the wife when we walk by the cage so really haven't made progress like I had hoped but I am keeping faith

 

[cstambaugh]

Macaws take a lot of time. I'm talking months on months, especially for a new macaw owner. Just give him time and follow the more experienced macaw owners on these forums. Their advice is invaluable.
You and I are almost in the same boat, except my GW isnt aggressive. We're just still getting used to each other, its been almost 2 months now.