puppy socialization for macaws????

[luv4scjjt]

In everyones macaw experiences will the concept of puppy socialization work the same for a parrot? If I take Fawx out to meet people will it socialize her or scare her? She is still very young but i am leash training her now so i can take her out in public when she is capable. She is almost completely feathered.

 

[Aims]

I would say yes but I am not experienced with Macaw's. I'd just make sure you take her to quite places at first, where she might only come across a couple of people. Maybe even a friends or family members house. Definitely not a busy shopping mall or children's park, way too much stimulation for a first outing. Hope that helps.

 

[94lt1]

As I see it, it matters mostly on the attitude of the bird.. my scarlet macaw Monte is very aggressive.. he can go from docile to having a piece of your flesh in his beak in nothing flat..

That being said, you need to take things like that into consideration. Do you want to be responsible for a bird bite on an innocent person?

Or even worse, I know an owner of a beautiful b&g that wouldn't own a bird right now if it hadn't been for me, she had her bird in a petshop, a dog barked causing the bird to panic, he flew and yanked the leash out of the owners hand, I was walking in the door as the bird was attempting to fly out of the door... I caught the bird and it being panicked, proceeded to let my arms know its level of displeasure...

Had it made it out of the door, it was sure to be ran over by a car in the busy mall parking lot... something to think about..


I bring this horror story up not to intimidate you, but to make my point, little steps first IMHO.. you have the safety of a bird to think about.. they can get set off for the strangest reasons in new situations

Others may have a different opinion.. but this is mine

 

[Remy]

It seems to have worked with Darcy. I have only had him a couple of months. At first it took him several minutes before he would let a stranger pick him up, but after taking him out a few times, he will step up for almost everybody. He does occasionally dislike somebody, and he will bite them if they push the issue, but in that case I have to be on his side and tell them to back off.

You have to pay close attention to your bird's moods, potential hazards, etc. When I had Puck, people would ask me "Does he bite?" I would reply something like "Yes, he does, but he loves strangers and probably won't right now, although I can't guarantee that he won't because sometimes he is crazy." They always picked him up anyway.

Parrots are naturally social animals, so I think it's important to socialize them. They are happier for it in the long run.

 

[luv4scjjt]

Thank you for all the great advise guys. I will remember to bing her someplace relaxed, always tie her teather to my wrist, and warn people to not touch without my permision depending on Fawx's moodes. All very great advise. I will head all your warnings and be very carefull and see how the slow outings go before continuing.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I'll admit, I haven't read everyone's answer, but here is my take on it: If Fawx is relaxed, by all means, take him/her to as many places as possible. The more places the better, the more people the better, the more audiences the better. It will give him self confidence and TRUST in you.

He may not be relaxed in the beginning, but if you continue to reassure him, and see that he's not "flighty", trying to escape/run, then put him through a new experience because it IS important.

Oh, and that was SUCH a great question, too!!!

 

[Remy]

He even stepped up for my friend while she wearing a face sucker mask (he'd also never met her before), with no hesitation.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I'm fairly certain NONE of my birds would step up on me wearing anything remotely similiar to that, but I can guarantee that one of my dogs wouldn't even let someone like that through the front door.

He even stepped up for my friend while she wearing a face sucker mask (he'd also never met her before), with no hesitation.

 

[MaraWentz]

If you've got an aggressive or nippy bird train them not to bite before taking them out (simply ignore the bite as if it didn't happen- don't pull back, don't put the bird in the cage, no facial expression, no saying no or ouch etc). It will get worse before it gets better as they will try their best for a reaction, but it will work. Then take your bird out and always remind them that although bird doesn't bite ever they always can. And be prepared to get different reactions. A lot of people will as if it's real, others will ask to pet or hold it, others will be real excited until u tell them it can't talk (that annoyed me the most when Erin was younger, just because she couldn't talk doesn't make her less of an amazing bird), many will offer to buy it (they don't understand that people don't sell their family members), nd of course that small percentage who run in fear or duck as you walk by.

 

[MonicaMc]

Living With Parrots Cage Free: Flight or Bite?

Living With Parrots Cage Free: She Bites Me... She Bites Me Not!

Living With Parrots Cage Free: Does Ignoring Really Work?​

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNPPFBxANQc]Take the Bite - YouTube[/ame]





All puppies are individuals. Some puppies may be excited to meet new people and some may be shy and afraid. The same can be applied to parrots. Birds who are frequently kept inside without change are less likely to enjoy going out and exploring than birds who are accustomed to it.

It is imperative that you know your birds body language and watch them with strangers. Some birds will readily step up for anyone or enjoy interacting with them while other birds will bite the first person who reaches out to touch said pretty bird. Please, *do not* allow strangers to touch your birds tail feathers as most birds get highly offended when something they can't see touches them. Other birds may accept some people (men over women, people with long hair over short, those with facial hair rather than without, tone of voice, etc) but not others.


It's one thing if you get bit by a dog... but most people rarely care if they get bitten by a bird, unless the damage is serious. If you know your bird bites, or is uncomfortable with strangers, let them know! Even if your bird doesn't bite, make sure they are aware that birds *can* bite. A bird that may be comfortable with you and never bite you may bite the snot out of a stranger!

That's why it is important to watch body language - and better yet, don't ignore the bite! Ignoring the bite may tell the parrot not to tell you, physically, when they are about to bite and go straight for the bite!

 

[MikeyTN]

I definitely don't trust my macaw with strangers. He will bite with no hesitation. Getting my macaw to trust dogs wasn't a big issue as he LOVES the dogs. It sounds mean with what I'm about to say but I let my macaw nip them in the muzzle before anything else cause my dogs are hunters being Huskies. They will not hesitate to kill! The pups then know that beak can hurt if they get nipped. Willie is the ONLY bird I trust to let out when the dogs are out. The other ones are small enough for the dogs to kill including my Cockatoos as my dogs will not hesitate. My girl husky yanked out the Cockatoos tail feathers and tried to kill her when Dixie took off flying then landed on the floor. But if Willie does it, they stay clear. So I kept all birds put up when the dogs are out except Willie. Willie will chase after the dogs on the floor and it's funny to watch. The dogs loves Willie a lot cause Willie feeds them all the time. I really think the nip on the muzzle taught the dogs early on to stay clear of the big bird.

 

[plax]

Some very valid points here -> Living With Parrots Cage Free: Does Ignoring Really Work?

Thanks, MonicaMc :emoticonc

As for dogs and birds together, in my opinion those who allow such close contact between them are playing with fire. I don't think it can be relied upon that one's large, instinctively driven dog will dependably maintain respect for/fear of a particular companion bird with whom it may share a home. So I'm really saying here that all it takes is once! And if it ever happens, there's an extreme likelihood that the bird will end up severely maimed or dead. Moreover, such dog attacks upon birds typically occur with lightning speed, so even with close supervision it can be impossible to intervene before it's too late.

 

[MikeyTN]

I don't completely agree with that blog. By giving treats when they stop is basically reinforcing them to scream for treats like what my partner have done with Willie, he throws a fit if he don't get it. My partner will not listen to me either cause this been going on for almost 9 years.

Yes I agree about the bird and dog part. But mine's been doing the same for years, not like I trust them instantly, it took a long time to trust. Alexis been around Willie for almost 9 years and Rocco been around him for 5 years. Bucky the chihuahua is terrified of Willie for 7 years.

 

[Doves1]

In my opinion and experiences yes taking them out is the only way to socialize them. As said before try quieter places at first and make sure you are with her/him at all times, remember you are the parent and safety. The younger you start this the better it is, again it all depends on the attitude and bravery of your Macaw. I took my Macaw out for the first time to the pet store, lots of people and kids (in all fairness I know the pet store well and that was supposed to be the dead time of the day...oops!) but he was just fine. He made sure I was close at all times and clung to my arm but enjoyed the attention immensely!! He's just a big suck up

 

[plax]

I don't completely agree with that blog. By giving treats when they stop is basically reinforcing them to scream for treats like what my partner have done with Willie, he throws a fit if he don't get it. My partner will not listen to me either cause this been going on for almost 9 years.

Actually, the blog writer agrees with you. The following excerpt was intended to be rhetorical as a way to make the point that giving treats when a bird stops screaming doesn't work:

"Finally, the golden moment I have waited for has arrived! I run into the room, and give the bird a treat and praise. What have I just taught my bird?

Scream for 20 minutes, take a breath, and she shows up.

Tomorrow the bird will be prepared to scream for 21 minutes if need be, to gain the reward of the companion showing up with a treat."

 

[MaraWentz]

Living With Parrots Cage Free: Flight or Bite?

Living With Parrots Cage Free: She Bites Me... She Bites Me Not!

Living With Parrots Cage Free: Does Ignoring Really Work?​

Take the Bite - YouTube





All puppies are individuals. Some puppies may be excited to meet new people and some may be shy and afraid. The same can be applied to parrots. Birds who are frequently kept inside without change are less likely to enjoy going out and exploring than birds who are accustomed to it.

It is imperative that you know your birds body language and watch them with strangers. Some birds will readily step up for anyone or enjoy interacting with them while other birds will bite the first person who reaches out to touch said pretty bird. Please, *do not* allow strangers to touch your birds tail feathers as most birds get highly offended when something they can't see touches them. Other birds may accept some people (men over women, people with long hair over short, those with facial hair rather than without, tone of voice, etc) but not others.


It's one thing if you get bit by a dog... but most people rarely care if they get bitten by a bird, unless the damage is serious. If you know your bird bites, or is uncomfortable with strangers, let them know! Even if your bird doesn't bite, make sure they are aware that birds *can* bite. A bird that may be comfortable with you and never bite you may bite the snot out of a stranger!

That's why it is important to watch body language - and better yet, don't ignore the bite! Ignoring the bite may tell the parrot not to tell you, physically, when they are about to bite and go straight for the bite!

Ignoring the bite allows no reaction from which in return means no reward. If they want me to say something saying ouch or no I have rewarded them. If they do to be alone, by putting them away I have then rewarded them. By ignoring a bite there is no reward possible to give them and it teaches that biting doesn't work because it doesn't get a reaction, doesn't give them alone time and doesn't get them outof what they're supposed to be doing (ie stepping up or getting in a carrier or cage etc)

 

[MikeyTN]

All I can say my birds are well behaved over all and I really don't have much issues. It just all depends on how you train them.

 

[plax]

Parrots are individuals. What may work for some may not work for others. I can ignore Maynard all day long and he'll scream all day long . He simply doesn't respond to things that my other three will respond to.:4_wink:

 

[MonicaMc]

Ignoring the bite allows no reaction from which in return means no reward. If they want me to say something saying ouch or no I have rewarded them. If they do to be alone, by putting them away I have then rewarded them. By ignoring a bite there is no reward possible to give them and it teaches that biting doesn't work because it doesn't get a reaction, doesn't give them alone time and doesn't get them outof what they're supposed to be doing (ie stepping up or getting in a carrier or cage etc)

The big question is...

Why is the bird biting in the first place?

Afraid? Bored? Curious? Aggressive? Hormonal? Startled? The bird doesn't want to do something? The bird is uncomfortable?


Ignoring the bite may do a few things. It may tell the parrot that biting doesn't get its way. It may say that "Oh hey, here's my finger! Keep chomping away!". Or maybe the bird will learn that after countless times that the bird has told *YOU* to back off (I'm afraid/I'm not in the mood/I'm excited/I'm all riled up) by eye pinning, ruffled neck feathers, widened stance, mouth possibly even open, and you still refuse to ignore all these signs that the bird *will* bite, then the bird may forget all the "shenanigans" of warnings and go straight for the bite.



Birds can have moods just like us. Sometimes they might not want to interact with you. Should they be forced to just because you want the interaction? That seems a little selfish.

If the bird doesn't want to go back to the cage, then whats better? Forcing the bird to go back, or making it the birds worth wile? Same for stepping up. Is it better for the bird to step up because it has to or because it wants to?

There will always be an emergency when a bird has to do what you need it to do, but for everyday living, does it have to? Or can it do what you want it to do because the bird wants to as well?


Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm only saying it to try and get you to think about how you interact with your birds.


Some other articles that may be worth reading... maybe get you (a "collective you") thinking about how you work with your birds.

Biting, It’s Not For The Birds
Getting in Touch with Their Feelings. Developing Sensitivity to Bird Behavior
Does your Parrot have a Trust account? / Steve Martin: Training Birds with Trust Accounts