Progress on Rose, the cage bound Galah

[PrincessSarah]

So, I think we have progress. Rose had gone from scratching my fingers to cuddling up in my hand with her head. She lets me scratch under her wings for just a second or two. She has stepped up once in her cage for a moment. She still won't come out though. Now, even I tell her to step up, instead of panicking, she moves away. She never bites me anymore. The one time she stepped up, I didn't an hour scratching her neck and taking to her. I don't have that kind of time on a regular basis. I do spend about ten minutes multiple times a day scratching and talking to her. She even lets me get her pin feathers. If I get one that hurts, she doesn't bite anymore. Instead she turns her head and pulls away. I'm hoping we have a free bird very soon. Any input? Is there more I should do? I can't perch train her because she's terrified of anything stick like object going into her cage. Her previous owners used to slam her cage with a stick to make her come out. Target training doesn't work because she's terrified of treats. So, I'm just very slowly gaining trust. This has been a heck of a journey so far. Just to explain, my time us limited because I also have a mini pig that I'm training and exercising daily, as well as a dog that needs regular exercising and a conure they I'm also building trust with.

 

[PrincessSarah]

Oh, and one more thing....if I'm out of the room for too long, she does the danger alert cry. And when I'm in the room but not paying attention to her, she screeches until I say her name and tell her she's pretty. Lol

 

[Jayyj]

It sounds like you're making great progress with her.

Mine does the danger alert sound whenever I leave the room, unless I leave the house altogether in which case she quietens down within 30 seconds or so - I think it's the idea I'm somewhere she could be joining me but this time wasn't invited she doesn't like!

 

[PrincessSarah]

I wish I could bring her with me everywhere...if she'd just come out of that darn cage! Eventually, I'd like to get her into a harness and out and about with me. But that is a lofty aspiration at this time.

 

[Siobhan]

Poor little girl! I think you're doing everything right. Just be patient and keep giving her reasons to trust you.

 

[Betrisher]

I think you're doing brilliantly! Just look at all the progress you've made already.

Perhaps you could concentrate on the door of the cage? I fixed a perch just outside the door of Dominic's cage so that he had a sort of 'goal' to see and aim for. You could sit patiently, holding a treat or toy or something Rose enjoys and simply wait for her to arrive in the doorway of her own accord.

Two fail-safe treats I've used with Dom are sunflower seeds and peanut butter. Now, we all know that both these are fattening and not good for our birds in the long term. HOWEVER, if you're trying to achieve something important, they make a truly spectacular reward. I think birds view them with the same kind of obsession with which I view chocolate...

Anyway, you might need to teach Rose to enjoy these treats by offering them to her often. You'd be surprised how daintily a Galah can beak a tiny smear of peanut butter off the tip of your finger. My Beaks will lick away until there's no trace of peanut butter left, but Dommie hasn't learned to do that quite yet. The thing is, they've all learned to love peanut butter and so I can use it to my advantage while training.

Other good treats are raw unsalted peanuts cut into small pieces; almonds, also cut up; a smear of honey on your fingertip; dry ramen noodles broken into very small, parrot-sized pieces; bits of crisp crust off a piece of toast; bits of dried fruits (eg. mango, pawpaw, banana etc). Obviously, the healthier treats are less popular than the unhealthy ones, but use your judgement.

Millet spray is very popular with some birds, not so much with others. It's VERY useful if you have a hand-shy bird because it puts some distance between yourself and your target. Other 'arm's length' treats could include a stick of celery; a small carrot; a parsnip or anything nice on the end of a skewer or chop-stick.

When you have one of these abused/neglected birds, you have to do exactly as you're doing and gain their trust. Eventually, you can teach them to enjoy treats and toys. That's not easy, obviously, but I think you have exactly the right attitude and that Rose will gain hugely from your efforts in the long run. Remember: it took years for her to lose all her confidence; it may take years for her to gain it back. I can honestly say that my Dominic is the most endearing of all my birds because his friendship has been the hardest-won.

PS. I inherited Dom as a 25-year-old who had been sadly neglected for the ten years since my father had died. It was no one's fault, just a very sad set of circumstances. Since then (three or four years now ), Dom has learned a great deal: how to fly; how to enjoy treats; how to play with toys; how to chew bits off my house and, most recently, how to negotiate obstacles as he flies around the house. Don't give up on your Rose - there is NOTHING as wonderful as a cuddly Galah!

 

[PrincessSarah]

Oh, I'm so relieved to hear that I'm doing things right. She's gotten to where she trusts me pretty well. Not enough to step out of her cage. I'll try offering treats againagain, still letting her set the pace. She panicked so bad that I stopped offering. since she licks my fingers now, it's the perfect time. Thank you all!!