Update on Whisper

[Dopey]

Then again, I watched when we went to pick Kiwi up as his prior owner wrapped a neon-colored beach towel around her arm and went after him with it.

We had much better results with a stick then a leather glove on our hand when he first started stepping up to the hand. The leather prevented broken skin, but it still hurt The wood dowel was quickly splintered and split during step up training. Glad it was a chunk of wood and not my finger he vented his frustrations on at first And we usually use a white or light color towel when we need to get him for grooming and stuff. He is not fond of bright, patterned towels (I wonder why...:20.

If I remember I will fold different color towels and put them on the top of his cage and see how he reacts to the different colors. I used red last night. Not sure if it was the color or the size.

I have a leather glove but I'm still scared of getting bit. If I knew he was just going to bite a little I would try it but I've seen how he gets a hold and doesn't let go.

Maybe I will just stick to putting my finger in the cage and letting him tongue me.

 

[Taw5106]

I love the play gym, you have done an amazing job on it.

 

[Dopey]

I love the play gym, you have done an amazing job on it.

It has been fun to work on. I still have holes to drill on the other ladder and then the wrapping. Good thing I lover to wrap things.

 

[Terry57]

Whisper's new play gym is amazing! It sounds like you are definitely making progress with him for sure, and I can't wait to see where he is in his training in a few months time. It is great that you are documenting each step here so that a year from now you can remember all the steps that got you (and him) to where he will be then

 

[Dopey]

I really should have a separate journal for him but right now I'm using the forum.

I get excited over the baby steps we make each night. Literally I go to bed giddy.

 

[Terry57]

I'm glad you are using the forum so we can rejoice along with you!

 

[Christinenc2000]

I am so glad to see your play gym. I planed on buying one but under advice of a smart person I am going to do the pvp . Thanks so much for showing yours

 

[Christinenc2000]

Does his reflection in the window bother him ? Gus had been screaming and acting nuts . I noticed at one time in the after noon he could see his reflection so I close the blinds and it stopped

 

[Dopey]

Does his reflection in the window bother him ? Gus had been screaming and acting nuts . I noticed at one time in the after noon he could see his reflection so I close the blinds and it stopped

He seems to love the reflection. When he is closer to the window he just squeaks more. When I put the curtains back up I may have to get him a mirror although it's recommend not to. I'm still thinking he needs a friend...but that is on hold for a week or so.

 

[RavensGryf]

Oh that gym is nice! One of the better ones I've ever seen. Whisper is a lucky guy!

 

[Dopey]

I am so glad to see your play gym. I planed on buying one but under advice of a smart person I am going to do the pvp . Thanks so much for showing yours

Oh - do it yourself. I bought more pipe than I needed and it is way more elaborate than he needs but I am known to spoil him.

 

[Taw5106]

When Buddy sees himself in the mirror, I don't exist. He falls for sexy bird looking back at him, lol.

 

[Dopey]

That's kind of funny...unless you want the attention.

 

[Dopey]

After being gone for several days I was afraid that Whisper might not like me when I got back but I think I'm okay. So far no bites. But I don't want to brag about that. Let's just say that I'm thankful and I'm not pushing my luck.

He's not a very adventurous guy. For instance on his stand...he will play with the toys on the ladder but he won't climb up the ladder to get to the other toys on the next level. He just stays on the lower level and squeaks.

He is eating pellets now and prefers the nut flavored over the fruity flavored.

Last night he didn't crunch/bite so hard on the dowel perch. (I tried a rope perch about a week ago but he wanted nothing to do with that.)

The cats pretty much ignore him. They will glance his way but they really don't show much of an interest in him.

So - things are progressing. I'm looking forward to the day where he will step up to a perch and not take a chunk out of it. (A new training perch has been delivered I just haven't unpacked it yet.) Then maybe we can move up to him stepping up on my hand or my arm and not take a chunk of it.

 

[Taw5106]

Progress every day, that is awesome.

 

[Dopey]

I bought one of the T stands...light weight plastic and at first he was scared of it so I put it beside his cage one night and then the next night I put it on top of his cage. last night he stepped up on it. I am now able to get him to step up on it about 2 times out of three without trying to bite the perch. I do bribe him with his favorite toy though. I fully realize that he is training me but I feel we are making progress.

Today - before I left for work I sprayed him (light mist) and soaked him. He just goes to his perch and sits there. He does no preening. My other Amazon does the same thing. Is that a Amazon thing...not to preen?

 

[4dugnlee]

Your play gym is awesome!! I want to make a "floor model" stand for my fids. I did make a table top one which my sun conure, Cisco, LOVES!! Sassy (BFA) only sits on it to watch Peanut (U2) but doesn't usually play with the toys on it. As far as preening, Sassy does preen but not much while she's still wet from her shower.

 

[Dopey]

Your play gym is awesome!! I want to make a "floor model" stand for my fids. I did make a table top one which my sun conure, Cisco, LOVES!! Sassy (BFA) only sits on it to watch Peanut (U2) but doesn't usually play with the toys on it. As far as preening, Sassy does preen but not much while she's still wet from her shower.

Whisper doesn't play with his play stand as much as he used to. And if I don't watch him enough he will fly off of it to get my attention. I still have some vet wrapping to do but I have finished the ladders and he doesn't use them. He doesn't like the vet wrap either. I hope my new guy likes the play stand.

 

[Kiwibird]

Today - before I left for work I sprayed him (light mist) and soaked him. He just goes to his perch and sits there. He does no preening. My other Amazon does the same thing. Is that a Amazon thing...not to preen?

None of the zons I've known preen when soaking wet. They tend to wait until they've dried off and then go to town with the preening

 

[Dopey]

Ohhh, I will have to watch that. I must admit that I didn't have time for them to dry off before I left for work. I just did the spray down and observed long enough to see they weren't preening.

My step son said there is something that you can put in their food or water (don't remember what he said) that will help them preen. Is that true? I plan on asking the doctor about it this afternoon.