Trying to stop him biting

[Jamie]

Hi All

We've had our Indian Ring Neck for about 6 weeks. He was great at first and would let him stroke him, he's step up and be happy to sit on our finger. Howver ove the past few weeks he would only step up if we gave him food. Over the past week he steps up but when the food runs out or we don't give him any he bites really hard and draws blood. My wife and children no longer want to handle him. I still do but have so many bites which really hurt.

Janu that's his name is about 17 weeks old and I want to train him to stop biting and step up even when we don't give him food. My children want to stroke him again and I'd like to know how the best way to deal with this.

Thanks

Jamie

 

[HRH Di]

This is a very stressful time for parrots. They are some of the most intelligent animals around. Lots of parrots and their new guardians have a honeymood period...when the new parrot is on his "best behavior" in the new situation. Once he gets comfortable, he feels more confident about being "himself". This doesn't mean that you can't get your cuddly guy back, it just means that you have to have patience and do some training. Right now, you need to get everyone used to each other and learn what behavior is acceptable.

I highly suggest getting the book Parrots for Dummies. Last time I checked Amazon had it available. It's very well written in "layman's" terms. It's a great resource to have that will give good tips on training your new family member.

 

[HRH Di]

I just thought of something else...see if you can get your hands on a DVD on parrot behavior. I suggest a video because it lets you see and hear the behavior instead of just a written description. Personally, I'm a Barbara Heidenreich fan. Her website, Good Bird, Inc., has a very good video called Understanding Parrot Body Language. It was invaluable to us when we got our first parrot. I don't know what's available in the UK, though.

 

[Dj tweet]

Sounds alot like he is going thru the bluffing stage and unfort you have tried to correct it using treats which has created a different problem in itself
Hooefully other members can give you more advice on how to deal with it
do a google search on irn ( Indian ring neck ) bluffing
good luck and keep perseveringb

 

[wildheart]

They all go through a biting stage just after being weaned, it is natural and a critical learning time for you IRN. How you deal with it now will make or break your bird, it can alter her behavior and personality for the rest of her life.

It is the toddler years when they leave their parents and have to cope by themselves. They are fearless and do dangerous things, they learn what is acceptable and what is dangerous during this time.

YOU HAVE TO IGNORE THE BITING, it is CRITICAL! Screaming at her, punishing her or showing any reaction to the biting will make it worse and can alter her into being fearful of humans and she will never trust you, it can also lead to chronic biting. You need to understand her needs and understand that it is a necessary stage in her life. You need to keep to the normal routine of handling her, do not change anything. A lot of people make the mistake of keeping the IRN in the cage during this time and they create a monster, forever.

Be wary of when she wants to bite, keep a toy in the other hand and distract her when you see she is going for you. I KNOW it is painful and VERY hard to ignore but you need to control your reaction with your mind, jerking, flicking of your hand etc. needs to be non existing. BEFORE she bites make a fuss, sing a song, whistle, play with the toy - anything to take her mind off her plan. I have found that a broken remote control worked best, she thinks you are changing a channel or something and she wants it. Dont let anybody who can not ignore the bite handle her at this time. If you ignore it and your wife makes a fuss over it then it will confuse her even more and she will end up biting your wife forever.

It is luckily only a stage and usually only lasts a couple of weeks if ignored. (It is also usually the girls that become like this.)

My husband used to pull away when he saw that my girl wanted to bite and she hates him now. She works to get to him and then bites him every single time with all the force that she has. If I try and block her from biting him then she bites me out of frustration. Until today I do not show ANY reaction to her biting even when she draws blood - I think I have become immune to it. Therefore it is VERY important to IGNORE the biting.

Focus your mind and your family on what she is going to become. She is going to LOVE to cuddle, she is going to clack like a little baby with her wings raised BEGGING for attention 5-6 times a day. IT IS TOO PRECIOUS!
They are full of adventure and if you trained her correctly during this stage then you will have a confident trusting girl who loves you with all her heart.

 

[Dj tweet]

Thanx linky for explaining that better than I did
myself ANd the creator of this post appreciate it much I'm sure