No Compassion

[T00tsyd]

Syd and my house share has not been that long just 3-4 months, but we seem to have a pretty good relationship on the whole. We muddle along together just the three of us - dog included - but this last few days has definitely been a bit of an eye opener.

I'm sick! The dog was immediately carried off for glorious rompings in the countryside with my one daughter and I settled in for whatever with Syd.

He has bordered on the delinquent. Demanding, screechy, nippy, as near as possible to drawing blood without actually doing it, throwing food in all directions and generally being a complete pain. He has had almost complete freedom since the dog isn't here and yet he's as grumpy as can be. He's lucky I still love him but at present it isn't being reciprocated in any way shape or form.

So my question is: - How to improve a Green Cheek Conure's bedside manner? Is there any hope?

 

[Scott]

Hmmm, dogs ARE better with bedside manner! I've had some birds snuggle a bit closer when I need the tenderness, but can't count on that routinely. Perhaps Syd is the equivalent of Nurse Ratchet?

 

[Flboy]

Syd and my house share has not been that long just 3-4 months, but we seem to have a pretty good relationship on the whole. We muddle along together just the three of us - dog included - but this last few days has definitely been a bit of an eye opener.

I'm sick! The dog was immediately carried off for glorious rompings in the countryside with my one daughter and I settled in for whatever with Syd.

He has bordered on the delinquent. Demanding, screechy, nippy, as near as possible to drawing blood without actually doing it, throwing food in all directions and generally being a complete pain. He has had almost complete freedom since the dog isn't here and yet he's as grumpy as can be. He's lucky I still love him but at present it isn't being reciprocated in any way shape or form.

So my question is: - How to improve a Green Cheek Conure's bedside manner? Is there any hope?

It's called 'tough love' therapy!

 

[Kentuckienne]

Maybe Syd misses your daughter?

 

[plumsmum2005]

Probably nothing more than noticing things are not normal, you sick, dog and daughter off galloping around the countryside (ideal day!) and being a spoiled brat. Watch him when they return!

 

[T00tsyd]

Sorry the daughter is married and off with her own family rather than a fixture. I have returned him to his cage after an under tap bath when he immediately turned around and bit me, but he definitely has hatred in his eye.

 

[Allee]

Maybe in time Syd will develop a more sophisticated set of bedside manners. Then again, birds have their own guide books, the ones mere humans are never allowed to see. They do show affection though. They are also very aware of their environment and note even the smallest changes to better take advantage. Does Syd talk? One of my quakers is pretty much a hands off bird but he says the sweetest things.

 

[T00tsyd]

Maybe in time Syd will develop a more sophisticated set of bedside manners. Then again, birds have their own guide books, the ones mere humans are never allowed to see. They do show affection though. They are also very aware of their environment and note even the smallest changes to better take advantage. Does Syd talk? One of my quakers is pretty much a hands off bird but he says the sweetest things.

Well I guess the last few days have certainly been different! He does talk some - he bit me the other day and immediately said 'I'm sorry' I hadn't heard it before or since. He's certainly a great source of entertainment as a rule. Perhaps as you say he is just responding to the fact that I am not on the go as usual. Perhaps I have simply become boring.

Just you wait boy!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Sounds just like the Rb!
It's all about him.
When I'm sick, or tired, or just busy, he is MAD. I'm failing to meet his needs.
:25:

 

[PickleMeDickles]

Hmmm...I have found with my birds it is all about them, and that's okay. It's probably a survival instinct. I am the parent and they are definitely my needy children. If something is off with me I am defunct and am reprimanded. Pickles is particularly snuggly but it is always on her terms. I haven't don't any "behaviour mod" or anything, I just accept it for what it is and try to see the humorous side of pandering to a handful of fluff with a can opener for a mouth. Funny, Pickles has absolutely no problem nailing us now and then to let us know her feelings, the Suns have never laid a firm beak on me but will fly away if their needs are not being met. My doggie heartthrob is a chihuahua who is basically a conure dressed up as a dog. I guess I just don't mind the selfishness, it is what it is.

 

[T00tsyd]

Hmmm...I have found with my birds it is all about them, and that's okay. It's probably a survival instinct. I am the parent and they are definitely my needy children. If something is off with me I am defunct and am reprimanded. Pickles is particularly snuggly but it is always on her terms. I haven't don't any "behaviour mod" or anything, I just accept it for what it is and try to see the humorous side of pandering to a handful of fluff with a can opener for a mouth. Funny, Pickles has absolutely no problem nailing us now and then to let us know her feelings, the Suns have never laid a firm beak on me but will fly away if their needs are not being met. My doggie heartthrob is a chihuahua who is basically a conure dressed up as a dog. I guess I just don't mind the selfishness, it is what it is.

That made me laugh. You are obviously right and my duty of care is to Syd and not the other way around. I just wish he could make a hot drink!

 

[tashawithanekkie]

Hahahaha Duke did the same thing to me this weekend. "oh hey mom, I see you're not feeling great and you're trying to nap. How's about I pull on your hair a little?" I was trying to keep my distance in case he could catch it but nooo.

Hope you're feeling better.

 

[PickleMeDickles]

That made me laugh. You are obviously right and my duty of care is to Syd and not the other way around. I just wish he could make a hot drink!

Just make sure it's a Hot Toddy. Grandma used to force those God-forsaken things down my throat as a child but they worked like magic. On a side note...I am 47 years old and got carded for Nyquil in San Diego last week (naturally I was sick as well and did not see the humorous side of this until recently). Of course "I" think I don't look a day over 22-23.........yea right.

 

[LordTriggs]

Haha I went through a very similar time with Rio Toots. I got a really bad case of food poisoning about 2 weeks after getting rio which left me in a bad state for a few days, I was unable to leave the house due to it and got no sleep from having to experience one of the symptoms (to spare the details)

there was no mercy from the green and yellow monster! He demanded to be out and to play but I just couldn't play due to the exhaustion and he never got any warning I was about to rush to the bathroom which would upset him as I needed to be in view and if I wasn't he'd have a little shout session. I now have an understanding of how my mother must've felt when I was young!

 

[T00tsyd]

That made me laugh. You are obviously right and my duty of care is to Syd and not the other way around. I just wish he could make a hot drink!

Just make sure it's a Hot Toddy. Grandma used to force those God-forsaken things down my throat as a child but they worked like magic. On a side note...I am 47 years old and got carded for Nyquil in San Diego last week (naturally I was sick as well and did not see the humorous side of this until recently). Of course "I" think I don't look a day over 22-23.........yea right.

My Dad was the one for the Hot Toddy and I seem to remember they went down pretty well for me too! However the real remedy was my Mother's home made chicken soup. BLISS! In fact it's the only thing I really fancy today and I have a mug full by my pc having smelled it bubbling away all morning. Somehow I think the return to health is well on the way!

 

[T00tsyd]

Aahhh! My dog came back last night took one look at me sensed the mood and lay his head in my lap. Sympathy at last!

 

[clark_conure]

I agree with plumsmum birds like all pets can sense things....he's probably a little scared of whats going on...YOU COULD DIE! or not....he's just unsure and needs more comfort that everything s ok....We all give out vibes , whether it's leave me alone I don't feel well or everything is awesome..he's just picking up something is wrong.

 

[T00tsyd]

I agree with plumsmum birds like all pets can sense things....he's probably a little scared of whats going on...YOU COULD DIE! or not....he's just unsure and needs more comfort that everything s ok....We all give out vibes , whether it's leave me alone I don't feel well or everything is awesome..he's just picking up something is wrong.

Mmmm! I'm more convinced that he's evil and very spoilt..........until today. It is true that each day I am feeling a little better but progress is slow. However this morning he was very gentle, very cuddly and loving and I was amazed and taken in until I realised he had some pins he needed me to sort out. Once done he proceeded to attack like a harpoon on ecstacy as I tried to put a new perch in his cage!

He lost out - I put it in his sleep cage instead! He's too young for hormones but if this is a dummy run next year could be very interesting.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Why does it always seem to me,that I have an "out-of-norm" pair of fids???
Amy has never been "demanding". She is perfectly content to sit in her house for a full day,play with toys,converse with herself from time to time and not yell.
She can play on her play top for hours and stay put. doesn't wander about chewing woodwork or shoes or furniture. I can fall asleep on the couch and wake up an hour later and she is where she was. At times, I WILL find her on BB's roof..still haven't figured that one out.

BB on the other hand, I admit, I spoiled the little fluff boy. He wants to be with me constantly. On my shoulders,or hand,or head when he is out. In his house he is content with slamming his toys around,yelling at them,or just whistle away. He doesn't get into things..well I cant say that lol. When he is here with me at my computer he DOES run amok across the keys,chewing on this,climbing on that,or singing in my ear.. but HEY...he is still a young guy lol.


Jim

 

[T00tsyd]

Why does it always seem to me,that I have an "out-of-norm" pair of fids???
Amy has never been "demanding". She is perfectly content to sit in her house for a full day,play with toys,converse with herself from time to time and not yell.
She can play on her play top for hours and stay put. doesn't wander about chewing woodwork or shoes or furniture. I can fall asleep on the couch and wake up an hour later and she is where she was. At times, I WILL find her on BB's roof..still haven't figured that one out.

BB on the other hand, I admit, I spoiled the little fluff boy. He wants to be with me constantly. On my shoulders,or hand,or head when he is out. In his house he is content with slamming his toys around,yelling at them,or just whistle away. He doesn't get into things..well I cant say that lol. When he is here with me at my computer he DOES run amok across the keys,chewing on this,climbing on that,or singing in my ear.. but HEY...he is still a young guy lol.


Jim

BB sounds more normal than Amy to me. Just think they could both have been like Amy, that would stop you going to sleep!