WALDO the winged pitbull

[KBlunt]

OK we took in a Foster that needs a little work before he will be put up for adoption. The only real info we got was he started life as a pet then went into a breeding program and from there into a rescue with 3 other CAGs. The bird is in great shape his big draw back is he is a BITER and is lightning fast. He came to us in a cat carrier and I learned in a hurry he isn't gonna be picked up without protection I reached in amist the growling and snarling (yes it was him) and felt the business end of his teeth that people call a beak. Well out came the gloves and out he came so instead of immediately transferring him to a lot bigger cage I sat with him on my lap for about 5 mins. Then started shedding my gloves. For about 30 mins he let me pet him without gloves but wouldn't step up. So to put him into his bigger cage on went the gloves and in the cage he went. His cage is set up in the living room so he gets interaction from everyone that's close and he has calmed way down. He has claimed one victim today that just had to stick his finger in to pet his head. Going futher into the game plan I plan on leaving his cage where its at and not rushing him. I will continue to work with his handeling but at a much slower pace. Right now he is happy and content as an ornament instead of a family member.

 

[Pedro]

Kyle, please keep updating this thread as i am also trying to help the owners of a mature eclectus male with biting & screaming problems. The owner wants to rehome this bird but i am afraid that he may end up in the hands of inexperienced carers. So far as i can work out he is very controling & this is his way of getting what he wants. Any ideas you can toss around would be appreicated. This bird needs all the help he can get.

Good luck with Waldo.

 

[Remy]

All of the pit bulls I've met have actually been very sweet! My boyfriend has one and she's the sweetest thing ever. =P

Good luck with your new flock member.

 

[KBlunt]

Waldo is coming rt along he will come to the side of the cage and let you pet his feet and sometimes his beak but open the door and put a hand above food level and he goes nuts. Ill spend all day tomorrow (I'm off) with the cage open to see if he comes out I really don't want to used gloves anymore but all bird cages get a deep cleaning this weekend.
On a good note he chatters up a storm and dispises a screaming too, he lets them start screaming the lets out a piercing whistle and its good for about 30 minutes of quiet. Its interesting working with him because you nvr know what to expect he adores my wife and will whistle and jabber his head off for her but after seeing him go on the fight she isn't putting her hands anywhere close to him. Looking forward to the weekend.
Remy winged pitbull is an analogy I to have been around some great pits. But I have also paid to have 200 stitches and 14 staples to sew up my daughter because of a pit that " would never hurt anyone " 3 more hrs and I'm headed back to my birds

 

[lene1949]

Waldo is coming rt along he will come to the side of the cage and let you pet his feet and sometimes his beak but open the door and put a hand above food level and he goes nuts.

He food containers should be up high in the cage, so they don't get contaminated by his eliminations...

 

[Remy]

I'm glad he's coming along!

Oh man, I'm sorry about your daughter! D:

 

[KBlunt]

Lene thanks for that. It was a combination of Long shift and typing on my phone. it shoulda read above his head level not food level. Waldo is actually clean when it comes to his cage he has one area he prefers to use. His water and food are on the oppisite sideof his cage and in great shape Unlike the Goffin we have. It seems to like soup so youll see him pick up his food and carry it to his water and transfer half the food dish one piece at a time. Waldo on the other Hand just kicks back and chatters. He is the perfect orniment for those that want a Bird to look at and never do anything with. Toys arent his strong suit he just prefers to watch the world go by. Allthough when handeling the cockatoos he does get closer to that side of the cage and watches intently so im thinking there is hope its only been a week so we got plenty of time.
Remy no worries the incident happened 13 yrs ago she is in colledge now and has 1 tiny scar thats visible. Great thing is now that we are getting back into Parrots she comes home a couple times a week so I get to see her More Unlike when she first went to college and I only seen her when she needed More money. :0)

 

[KBlunt]

Waldo did well today. He spent some time out of the cage on a mobile perch while his cage was scrubbed down and cage perches were modified. He still don't want to be touched least by me. He did let my wife stroke his beak and touch his feet. This evening he actually surprised us all my daughter came over and he acted like he wanted to step up,her not being comfortable with it she didn't let him. She did start singing to him and he started dancing and whistling. When she left he actually said bye bye. This has changed the whole game plan. I'll do the hateful things like getting him out of his cage for cleaning and such, ill let my wife and daughter do the fun stuff.
I do have a question from cag people Waldo loves peanuts (roasted no salt) he will eat wallnuts and almonds but only if left in his dish. I know with cockatoos to limit peanuts is it the same with cags he will readily take them from my wife and daughter only other thing we have found so far is scrambled eggs.

 

[ann]

it sounds like hes comming along wonderfully! you can really tell he wants to get along with you, it sounds like he's going to be a wonderful bird

 

[KBlunt]

Night before last we covered all the birds and turned out the lights to watch TV. As I was setting there I noticed Waldo on the floor of his cage peaking under the cover watching TV with us. I opened the door and raised his blanket so he could see better and he just kicked back just inside his cage watching us.
Yesterday we had to make an emergency road trip and the birds spent 9hrs caged. When we git home my wife started dinner and my son and I checked and played with the birds for a bit. When dinner was ready we decided to eat in the living room and relax the cockatoos were on there play areas. And Waldo was setting in his cage with the door open watching intently. 10 mins into dinner. My wife taps me on the leg and points to Waldo he is hanging on his cage door reaching for the couch we are setting on. He wont jump or fly so I reached out to get him to step up and again realized I'm not his favorite person. But all things considered I still see it as progress. Tonight after I get home from work I'm gonna move his cage the 6 inches he needs so he can step from his door to the couch. Maybe tomorrow I can report on him setting next to me eating Thanksgiving day left overs

 

[PetoftheDay]

Thanks for continuing the updates. I'd actually compare him more to a "winged chihuahua" as many Chihuahuas get absolutely no training (it's so small and cute, I don't need to train it ...) and end up biting and snapping as a method of communication and terrorizing their owners!

The only scar on my face is from a terrier mix - small and scruffy, not at all pit bull like - who appeared in my yard when I was four. And the scar is because I immediately went over to him and hugged him. Poor thing was probably terrified, but I was completely shocked! I remember my mother very calmly explaining, as she wiped the blood off my lip and face (like any facial cut it bled profusely) that most dogs are NOT "hugging" dogs, and one always has to ask its owner before doing that to any dog. No owner? Then no hugging!

I look forward to Waldo's progress as he learn what it is like to be a loved bird!

 

[KBlunt]

We had a breakthrough tonight I think. Got home tonight from work and was setting down to dinner when Waldo decides he doesn't want to be in his cage. So he climbs out and on top of it pretty as you please. Well I walk over and reach out slowly and he lashes out quick as a cat. So I stood talking to him and give him a treat and pet his feet and beak.
He used to go berserk when I got close complete with screaming, he wouldn't come out of his cage for anything. Now he will come out on his own and while out I can kinda touch him. He is getting easier to read and best of all I don't need any bandaides. LOL

 

[KBlunt]

Been awhile since a Waldo update. He still a biter but like before he is easier to read. He will come out of his cage at times and reguardless whether I towel him or hold his head so I don't get layed open he is always held till he calms down until he can be petted without him trying to latch onto a finger. Overall I'm happy with the way its going and 6 am every morning he starts jabbering up a storm till everything in the house wakes up and the birds get their treats.

 

[lene1949]

It sounds like you're doing a great job with him... Are you going to keep him?

 

[Mamanda]

Such a wonderful progression to read. Can't wait to hear more!

 

[KBlunt]

Yea Waldo is staying with us for awhile setting here drinking coffee and just watching and listening to him. He interacts with everyone and even the dogs. It'll take a special person to pry him outta this household.