over attached???

[Chrisja77]

OK I need help with my new baby TAG. I have had him about a week and a half and he is 5 months old. He is sooo loving and I love spending time with him but we seem to be developing a few issues lol. He wants to be with me almost 24/7. I cannot get him on his perch or in his cage most of the time. He mostly just hangs out on my shoulder, even if I have to walk around the house. IF I do get him off me he tries to fly after me and even chipped his beak a few days ago by hitting it on the floor tiles as he came after me. I just don't know how to handle this. It took 30 minutes to put him to bed last night! I need to be able to move around and do things without worrying about him hurting himself. Any suggestions?

 

[roxynoodle]

Is he out of his cage all day by any chance? Even though it seems like the best thing to do for a bird, I think sometimes they come to rely on their human guardian for all their comfort and entertainment that way. Since most of us can't cater to their every whim at all times, it's a good idea for them to learn to enjoy their cage as well, and learn to play with toys. I would try letting him have breakfast in there, coming out for awhile, then going in for some time, coming back out in the afternoon for a bit, going back in, and then an evening session as well.

A lot of baby birds don't seem to want the day to end or go to bed. What worked for me with Rowdy was to establish a fun, nighttime routine for her. We say "kiss" and make kissing sounds to each other, with "I love you, you're a good girl" sprinkled in, and finally it becomes, "goodnight." She loves her bedtime routine and came to enjoy going to bed.

 

[Chrisja77]

The first week he WAS out most of the time, he played with everyone and walked around on the couch or enjoyed being on his stand or on his cage. Now it is just me and no one or nothing else.

 

[roxynoodle]

You have been chosen

And I think you have a family with children, yes? It would be good for him to spend time with the rest of them as well even though it probably means you need to hide for awhile. Do a "Calgon take me away time" soaking in the tub with a good book every evening. Or time on the computer if it's in another room, or whatever you would like to enjoy by yourself.

I think all of my birds would also like to be attached to me every moment as well. Obviously it can't happen. First, there are 3 of them who want me all to themselves and a cat who feels the same. I need to do outside work, too, like take care of the horses and yard work. They do all know though they are going to spend some time on their own in their cages. They can all play with toys and entertain themselves. And usually the TV is on for them, or a radio as well.

It's hard to ignore them when they are calling for you, but in the long run, teaching them independence is best for them and you. And of course you want him to be socialized to the rest of the family.

 

[Chrisja77]

Any suggestions for getting him in his cage? I have tried to "lure" him in with treats but that doesnt work well.

 

[roxynoodle]

Does he know step up?

Sometimes you can try loading them in backwards. Or putting your free hand right next to them so they can't grab the side of the doorway (I do that with Pete), or even holding their feet lightly so they can't fly off.

I'd also get him back in there before bedtime so you aren't feeling rushed or hectic and losing your patience. Praise him a lot once he's in and perhaps give him a little treat, too, so he looks forward to it more. Maybe do it an hour before you want him to go to bed. He will get time to settle down and beak grind and do any preening he wants to do.

 

[roxynoodle]

Being a baby, maybe you need to practice with him awhile at it, too. Spend a few minutes a couple of times a day just learning to go back in. And each time he gets in there, praise him and maybe hand him a little treat like a piece of nut or a piece of Nutriberry, or whatever he really likes.

 

[Chrisja77]

Yes he knows step up and does it very well...when he wants to lol. I tried leaving the room earlier and letting him spend time with the kids without me and that seemed to help. I will use your ideas for getting him in the cage as well. I guess some of the problem is that I feel guilty for making him stay in his cage.

 

[roxynoodle]

I know, I know But, that's where a lot of new owners get in trouble. Especially with the cockatoos. Try to remember he isn't a newborn baby who needs fed or a diaper changed, even though he is making you feel like he is. They say parrots are actually more manipulative than human toddlers. If he leans to control and manipulate you now into taking care of him like he's a newborn baby, you will be stuck with that forever.

Yes, they are adorable. Yes, they pull your heart strings. But, unlike your kids, they don't ever grow up. It's not like in a few months he will stop doing it. He will just do it even more. So we have to teach them how to live with us if we are going to keep them in our homes.

Otherwise down the road you will just be weary of all this, or want to rehome him.

And you don't have to ignore him while he's in his cage. You can talk to him, or sing for him. Call to him once in awhile while you are doing something in another room so he doesn't feel alone and flockless. He will learn to call you back if he doesn't do it already.

 

[Wulfgeist]

Roxy is absolutely right. I am sort of going through this with my baby CAG right now. I leave him in until after he's had breakfast and I get done doing things I need to do. I try to put him away when I give him his lunchtime pellet mix as well. I'm trying to get him to eat, like a kid I think he's more interested in playing. Today he gave me the sulkiest look and I kept telling him it's not punishment. He also tries to do the beak grab on the doorway or climb up the cage when I try to put him away. Like Roxy said I have to use my other hand to try to shield him from doing that. It is really hard but it's definately needed. It's one of those boundry things they must be shown.