MyGrey-Gary

First let me start by saying Thank you. Second - we rescued Gary a week and 2 days ago from an abusive family. I'm wondering what would be some great trust building training besides step up? I think we are doing great based on what Gary does. My last post just a few min ago was REALLY long so going to keep this one short! He already has a few words and sayings that he has from us. It's crazy that the previous owner called him "a stupid bird". Thanks again.

Thank you.. thank you... I made some more outstanding (unbelievable) progress yesterday. I have to start by saying Gary was scratching his head. While he was still in his cage and the door was closed (fiberglass curved front door), I was talking to him and softly scratching the door. He came up and put his head down and against the door. so while he was doing that, I pet the top of his wing thru the cage while pretending to scratch his head on the door. He stayed there while I did that, so I figured I would try to go one step further. I went on the side of his cage and scratched at it. He again lowered his head and I was able to scratch his head for a few seconds before he attempted to bite me. I got a bit braver and opened the door. (all this while I was saying scratch Gary) when I said scratch Gary again and did the scratching motion, he put his head down and allowed me to scratch his head for a few seconds. I stopped and did it again. The third time, after I scratched his head for about 3 seconds, he went to bite me. I said no. that's not nice Gary and closed his cage. I really do need to train him that it's not ok to fly down to me from his cage and land on my shoulder. I hope someone can tell me what (EXACTLY) what to do when he does that. I'll be watching TV and all of a sudden I hear wings flappin and bam! Gary is on my shoulder. The other night I spilled some wine on the couch cause I was caught so off guard. He will also fly down to my son's knee when he's watching TV. The bad thing is when he flies down to my shoulder or to my son's knee, he goes to bite us when we attempt to have him step up so we can put him in or on top of his cage. We do not ever force him to step up - we are persistent until he does. but it sometimes takes up to 10 tries before he steps up without biting us. ANY IDEAS? Please............. Also - We just don't understand why he will still try to bit us hard - especially when he seems like he will be loving. Why would he go to bite me when he lands on my shoulder? Why will he go to bit me when he seems fine to me scratching his head? I will only scratch either up to about 5 seconds or he tries to bite me (which ever comes first). I know I can't complain. I have only had Gary for a week and 2 days now. So please advise.......... I will certainly not allow him on my shoulder any more - at least until he stops biting at me. but what do I do when he flies when I'm not paying attention and he lands on my shoulder (remember - he goes to bite my hand when I ask him to step up). What I typically do after I let him sit there for about 30 seconds is lean into the cage and have him step up there. As a side note - I would really like to potty train Gary. I can't seem to do any training yet since he still bites me - but I'm wondering... do you think it's a good start by saying a keyword when he poops? while in motion? right after? Do you think he will learn the keyword and it would be easier to potty train him later when he knows that keyword? If you are wondering what I mean by potty training - I would like to get him to potty either just in his cage or a specific perch in his cage. Right now, he will even go in his food. well - it lands on the side of the bowl... Wow - this is getting long - hope your taking notes before commenting (giving me recommendations) one last thing - is it possible he doesn't know he's biting us so hard? Cause I know he used to bite the previous owners and he used to get smacked by the wife...and they guy would grab his beak, hold it and do a no motion while he told him NO and bad boy.. or something like that. Thanks so much for all the advice given to me! It has certainly helped. I know for a fact that I would not have Gary so comfortable with us if it wasn't for all of you out there! so maybe I should sum up all the questions now - since I'm looking at this book update that I hope someone reads.... 1.) How do I get Gary not to fly to my shoulder when I'm not paying attention? (he will bite me if I try to have him step up to my hand). 2.) Do I continue to try to scratch Gary's head if he allows me for about 5 seconds? but he goes to bite me at random times - 2-5 seconds... 3.) Should we continue to attempt to have Gary step up? seems fine sometimes.. and other times he tries to bite. We hardly get bit because we can see the diff... 4.) Does he know that his bites hurt? and he will stop doing that once he fully trusts us? 5.) Lastly, should I say a keyword while he is pooping, right afterwords? and will he recognize that keyword when I can attempt to potty train him later? Or do I just wait? I would imagine good training will come after he trusts us and won't go to bite us. But (and sorry I guess one last question) won't training assist in getting him to trust us if we are not pushing him? Thanks again - I know this was REALLY long. Just have lots of updates and even more questions... It's too bad my mom lives a couple of states away. Once again - THANK YOU!

okay, so I've had Gary for a week now. I think we have made some tremendous progress... but still getting tons of mixed signals. We try to keep his cage open all the time while we are home. He comes out and sometimes we can't get him back in. he won't step up to me. He will just look like he wants to bite me. Last night (and this has happened twice now) he flew from his cage right onto my shoulder. He's done that before when I had food - so I figured he just wanted to share some food. But last night, I was just sitting on the couch and he came right to my shoulder. No problem, right? Well.. when I wanted him to step up to my hand, so I could put him back in his cage, he wouldn't. so I ended up having to stand up and lean into the cage so he would step up into it. He also talks up a storm when we walk into the other room. Almost seems like he wants us to go back into the room. He already said a couple of words but this morning he said "Holly Molly" which is our dogs name. (Molly wasn't in the room). When we walk out of the room, he starts going thru everything he knows - all the whistles, sounds effects and words... He will only do this while we are not in the room OR when we are in the room and we are not paying attention to him (or have food he wants). Today marks the first week he's been here, so I can't ask for much more...... He doesn't seem to bite me to the bone anymore. When I ask him to step up, he will just look at my hand. He will fly right to my shoulder but then won't step up to my hand most of the time. He will step up to me every so often...... when he sits on my shoulder, he will only be on one foot, and make that grinding noise. so I would imagine he's very content. No miracles in a week - he's not stepping up to me MOST of the time. I'm wondering - am I about there? When he does step up, we will step up to everyone - Me, my wife and son. then we end up putting him back onto of his cage or inside his cage. Will he always go to bite me when he doesn't want to step up? I don't fully trust him - so I can't expect him to fully trust me - kinda....... I haven't ever forced him to do anything and I haven't gone to bit him Great progress for his first week here! but I want more!!!!!! lol

I'm wondering when is a good time to start training? I've had my Grey for 2 days now and would like to start training after about 2 weeks. Is that enough time to get acclimated? If Gary my African Grey seems to be comfortable with me and is coming out of his cage on a regular basis and making sound effects - (in two weeks)... is that long enough to wait? do I just stick with positive reinforcement alone? do I also do clicker training? I'm going to start reading some books on training since I haven't ever trained a bird before (gee.. bet you couldn't tell) but would like some advice from here. Thanks.

I completely agree with you birdhouse. I believe this is moving very quickly. Also - when he goes to bit, he doesn't position himself - so I don't know if he's going to bite or step up. He doesn't duck his head, he doesn't reposition. When I have him step up it's because he's flown down to the floor or the coffee table. or he is trying to get to the top platform on his cage. Last night - he was pretty active. he would go to the top of the cage platform and tear the paper that was up there. He was making some sound effects... but he seems to go back and fourth pretty quickly. Seems to trust one sec.. and not the next second. I can certainly understand that from my previous posts and the information you listed above. I've just been trying to make sure I go with his pace. If he trusts me.. I want to show him he can and that we are not going to force him to do anything. But I don't want him to think he can do anything he wants in the household. I'm holding off with all training until he gets to know us. I would really love it if (and hopefully this is possible) he would go back into his cage when I tell him, have a potty spot (even though accidents happen), not to mention a vocabulary.....and I am well aware it's going to take some time. I haven't ever trained a bird and have done lots of reading and viewing of videos - for clicker training. I'm not sure if that can start 2-3 weeks or 2-3 months from now, etc... I would imagine a lot of people want that for their Grey. I am willing to put in countless hours. Currently - I make sure at night when I cover him up - I say good night Gary... see you in the morning. And in the morning, I say good morning Gary.... and before I leave for work, I tell him to have a nice day and see him after work. When I give him what I was told is his favorite treat - peanuts (at least for now) I tell him good boy and um..umm.. good. Which is after I hold my hand next to him without him biting at it. I would imagine I'm going to be one of "those people" that needs lots of guidance. My mom has an Amazon Parrot since I was in high school. But I didn't ever try to train it. I spoke to him and gave him treats... watched my mom clip his wings, etc.. but this is my first time owning my own bird. She also had love birds, parakeets, and some others...... ANY advice as to what we are doing wrong or what we should be doing - will be GREATLY appreciated AND utilized. I really do not want to move tooooooo quickly, I do not want to give him any bad habits and I do not want him thinking he will rule the roost. But of course I will spoil the hell outta him. We certainly have the effort and are open for suggestions but lack the 100% knowledge to know we are doing all the right things - (right things, right timing, etc). And more importantly, know this forum is the right place to go to!

Thanks..... I may just create a post called MYGrey-Gary nightly Journals....lol Because I have to give an update from last night. I'm sure there will be days/nights that are not good...but yesterday I was surprised again. We give him attention but we do not force or chase him. If he's at the front of the cage, we get right in front of him and say hello...etc. if he moves to a back perch - we leave him alone. Yesterday I saw an opportunity to have him step up to my hand and he did. I tried petting once and he did not want it. But what he did do is go up to my shoulder. He sat there for a few min but when I went to get him he went to bite me. So I left him up there and leaned towards the cage and he stepped up from my shoulder to the cage. when we all left the room, he started making his noises... microwave beeps, water dripping, bird chirping, etc. We came back down trying to get him to say hello...... he didn't.. but he did continue with his sound effects. Overall... not a bad night. Sometimes he will step up to me.... sometimes he won't. If he doesn't...... I just leave him alone. Hopefully he gets that or he will very soon. He even steps up to my son....(sometimes as well). I really wish he would with my wife. She gives him peanuts which are supposedly his favorite (and I'm not putting in his dish). We only give those to him by hand.

Great comments - Thanks! Gives me a sense in what everyone is doing. Last night (being the first night Gary was with us), I could see that Gary was getting sleepy at about 9pm ish. So I went ahead and covered him up. We also went upstairs so he had it nice and quiet. Not sure if it will go like this every night - but seemed to go well. Thanks again!

I'm addicted to both my newly rescued Grey name Gary and the Grey forums! A few of you know about the rescue of Gary's abuse and have seen my photos. But the good thing is - if you are reading this... I'm NOT alone! Of course I'm new to both Gary and grey forums...but plan to be around for a very long time to both. We want to give Gary his space AND we want to talk to him so he gets to know us. and on that same token - since I'm in IT and on the computer all day - I tend to hop into the forum and view some posts to get tips and ideas of how to get Gary accustomed to us. So I hope you do not get tired of seeing me around. I'm sure I'll settle down and post a "reasonable" amount instead of an excessive amount. So now about Gary and how he is doing... I thought Gary did very well for the first night. I've read about the "honeymoon phase" but I would have thought that would have taken at least a few days to jump into. Gary (of course) doesn't let us pet him and I wouldn't expect it. But I thought he did exceptionally well. His eyes were NOT pinning. He was making a grinding noise He was perched on one leg. His feathers were fluffed BUT every so often he looked like he was shivering. (house was at 70 degrees so it wasn't that he was cold). More like he was nervous. His cage was open and he would come to the front of the cage and would just stand there and look at us while we would talk to him. (hopefully he knew we were not going to invade his personal space). He would hang upside down and actually got out and and on top of the cage door. He christened the floor at that time. When he flew out of the cage and landed on the coffee table in front of us. He seemed to just be standing there, looking around. He did a step up onto my hand. I held him for a min while speaking to him. I attempted to pet the top of his head, but he turned like he was going to bite me... so I stopped trying to pet him. He sat on my hand for a min while I spoke to him and then I had him step up back in his cage. (Didn't want to press my luck). He really didn't seem to express any aggression. Even when I attempted to pet him, he didn't go right to bite me. He just gave me the signs that he didn't want to be pet. The previous owner said he says a few words like hello... but mostly mimics sounds. We didn't try to get him to speak but we spoke to him - he would just look at us, tilting his head. He would stretch a wing (not really flap). and the previous owner was holding his wings open trying to show me where to clip the wings (which I have seen my mom clip her parrot's wings for years)... and I would tell him - OKay... and try to get him to let go of Gary's wing. He was really making me mad! URGH! Mad just thinking about it. OKay - sorry about that... and he even did some head bobbing when my wife and son were talking to him. so here is where you guys give opinions. We want to take it slow but we would also like to go with Gary's pace. too fast, too soon? or as long as he doesn't hide in the back of his cage, does come out of his cage, and steps up to me (only to go back into his cage), we are going at Gary's pace? I was mainly concerned about Gary's quivering. Sorry - I'll try to keep posted less winded!

I rescued Gary last night and while reading this - it just hits me... We received Gary last night at about 5pm and at about 9pm my son (Brian) was eating something (can't remember what it was right now). Gary flies out of his cage and lands on the coffee table. He looked like he was walking to Brian. He must have wanted some and was comfortable enough to go get some. We would have allowed Gary to walk around buy we still need the dogs accustomed to Gary. They were wanting to sniff him and I didn't want any accidental bites yet - so Gary actually did a step up and I eventually put him back in his cage. The previous owner said he loved peanuts so when I get home, I'm going to see if he will come to me for peanuts and actually eat them instead of grabbing it from me then just dropping it on the floor like he did last night.

Thanks bridhouse and everyone else for the current :rolleyes:AND:rolleyes: ongoing support I'm going to receive

Thanks everyone! I have to tell ya - The previous owner was giving me some "advice". I told my wife once he was gone - no way I'm listening to most of what he says - if we have questions, we ask my mom or the Grey Forum. He was giving me this crap about making sure I let Gary know I'm boss - making sure he doesn't get above my eye level... not to put up the purchase above his cage cause it's too high and Gary will think he dominates over me... This was info his wife read in a book.... so it wasn't just something he made up. I was also aggravated last night when he brought him over. He had Gary in a kitty carry cage and it was rather cool outside and I wanted him to go into the house rather quick... He also said he usually cleans the cage about every two months and it had been two months..... I had him take Gary inside and I broke out the hose to clean out the cage. Got it pretty clean and dried - then we took it in. Anyway - Gary (for now - unless he wants to be called something different) is in a safe loving home. I spent about 10 min with him this morning before I had to go to work. My wife also spent about 10 min with him as well... We just hope to gain his trust and have him love us soon. He did do a step up to me when he landed on the coffee table. But all of us have some trusting to do. We were afraid he would bite us and I'm sure he's afraid we might hit him or something. But he will soon see he has hit the "birdy jackpot". see you all in the Grey Lounge. And I'll make sure the next photos I post are not so huge.

Hello..... one last post here before I move on to the Grey Lounge... SO Gary - (which we are thinking of calling him Max and we better do it soon or keep Gary), arrived at about 5pm. Got him all settled in... Came in an relaxing environment. (after the previous owner left). That's a story in itself... ANyway, Seems kinda strange but about just an hour ago - Gary flew out of his cage and landed on the coffee table (just a foot or two away). I had him step up onto my hand... I went to put him onto of the cage - play area, but he didn't step down. so I went to scratch his head but I could tell he didn't want me to, so I stopped. I held him for a couple of minutes and he was just looking around. Then I put him back in his cage and had him step up to his perch. SO the night seems like it ended pretty good...... we put a dark sheet over his cage and hopefully he's sleeping by now. Earlier, Gary seemed pretty comfortable. He was on one leg and making that chatter noise with his beak. He was on the back side of the cage but when I broke out the camera, he came out to the front. Seemed to know what that was. And so I've got a couple of photos for everyone to see. Next post will be in the Lounge. (if anyone was wondering - the owner dropped him off. He didn't re-clip Gary's wings so I may have to do it in the next couple of weeks. He was showing me how he did it and was just really rough. He was holding Gary's wing out and wouldn't let go. We (My wife and I) were like - Okay... I see.. and he just seemed like he's always gotta be the one in total control of Gary. I'm sure Gary won't miss that. He was trying to get Gary to do some stuff.. and Gary would just bit at him. Strange love,hate relationship with Gary. So here's a couple of photos of Gary.... which we are thinking we may just continue to call him Gary - Just really unsure at the moment. I'm not sure if he likes it here and would be happy with Gary - or if we should do the name change. Oh by the way KimKim, I found him listed on Craig's List. Let me know what you guys think of our new family addition...

Thanks for all the info - I'm sure some of you have seen my other post by now. We have decided to rescue the bird (which you would know what I mean if you read the other thread). Anyway - My mom has a parrot named preacher and she has had him since I was a freshmen in high school (long time ago). I really was asking all the questions because the bird has been abused. So I have a little experience but not a "real" previous bird owner. I also understand a bird poops - and poops often and everywhere. But I would like to (over time with lots of patience) train my grey to fly to his spot to potty. As far as my wife - Since the abuser was a women, I wasn't sure if the grey would associate that with my wife. But turns out when we went to visit him - (and learned about the abuse while we were there) the Grey was about to step up to her but the owner didn't allow it by trying to take over.... I'm so glad that I ran into this forum. Even though I ask my mom - I'll still have the same questions here just to see if I get the same responses or maybe open it up to other possibilities. Thanks again for all the responses!

I'll need to know for next week - since I will keep (Mr. Grey - currently don't know what I'm going to name him yet since he's not here) in the Family room, is it ok to put a sheet/blanket over his cage at 9pm or so when we are still downstairs watching TV and talking? Do I just go by him? whenever I see him starting to doze - I cover him? And over the course of the week, I'll figure out when he likes to sleep? Same thing for early in the morning - My routine is to head downstairs, let the dogs out/back in, make a cup of coffee for my wife and I, then head back upstairs. Will that wake him? do I uncover him at that time? or do I wait until I go back downstairs to spend 5-10 min with him before I go to work?

so the only place you should pet your grey is around the head, chest and feet? I better know this so I can use it in about 1-2 months when Mr. Grey even thinks I can pet him!

I will certainly post updates and photos. Here's the current owners photos that he posted. and I'm also going to have to work on Mr. Grey's diet. He eats table scraps and has been given beer and coffee. Yes...... I know - which is why I was so surprised he actually looked in such great shape - great color. He has flown - A LONG WAY - but he's currently clipped. The owner was telling me that the bird was outside with a harness but he still got away. He flew away (about 6-9 miles) and was found by someone who checked Craig's list and returned the bird to the current owner. Apparently Mr. Grey also has been taught some bad habits - The guy (even thought I thing he's kinda mean and rough on Mr. Grey) has allowed him to sit on his shoulder at the dinner table. And when Mr. Grey wants some food off his plate - he goes downs, grabs it and then climbs back up and his shoulder. I certainly do not plan to allow Mr. Grey at the dinner table while we are eating to just land in the middle of anyone's plate. (he told me a story about when his daughter was eating nachos and Mr. Grey landed right in the middle - got cheese all over himself...etc). He told me he feeds him steak, chicken, and just about anything he will get. Now the wife is the one that REALLY treats Mr. Grey bad - (not going to tell the stories again). But she owns an umbrella cockatoo (bongo) - which ironically she rescued. Now - she is also trying to sell that bird BUT the good news is they seems to treat that bird VERY well. She is selling him as well with cage - $400. If someone in the St. Louis, MO area is interested, please let me know. here's some photos and He has no chest feathers - which is from before the rescue. He's a very loving bird and she said he requires a LOT of love and attention or he gets upset. In the second pic, you can see Mr. Grey to the right. They are also wanting to sell their male black lab - I think he's about 3 - he was very well trained and mannered. He was VERY cool - my wife wanted to take him home as well but we can't handle 3 black labs in the house. Anyway - I'm VERY excited to get Mr. Grey home and settled in. Wish I could pick him up yesterday..... but I have to wait until Sunday so a friend of my son can go over there with us to pick up the cage. No way it would fit in my car.

Thank you Acappella - Thank you all.... Believe me when I say - I will be asking for advice. I've already picked out a corner in the family room where everyone hangs out. I don't want to put him in a room that we just don't go in very often. It's in a corner away from the main traffic area. This way he doesn't feel like everyone is just passing right by him. He will have 8 hours a night during the week of dark quietness while we sleep during the week (maybe 9 on the weekends). And during the day - the dogs (one is 13yr black lab and the other is a 3yr black lab) just sleep during the day while we are gone. I work from home sometimes and that's all they do during the day when I'm here as well. Glad you mentioned the music. I'll have to put on some classical music before I leave so he has something to relax to. We are going to rename him (his current real name is Gary) Paco or at least something that doesn't even sound like Gary. As far as training - I'm actually going to take your advice on opening the cage and let him get comfortable with going out by himself. The only thing is - once that happens - hopefully he will either go back into his cage or he will at least step up onto a stick for me so I can get him back in. Probably nothing to worry about right now. I really hope it doesn't take that long for him to get comfortable with us or just me.....but if it does... then it does. I do know it will be worth it once he trusts everyone here. On a side note - when I joined the forum... My username includes the birds current name.... I'm going to have to see if I can have an admin change that or create a new one. After I realize what we will rename Gary.

Well you do make great sense. And who knows what goes on while I'm not there. So the decision is made - we are picking him up on Sunday as soon as we get home. I do wish that I could pick him up tonight - but I just can't - unfortunately. I'll be glad to keep everyone updated on the situation. I'll have to figure out where to post - I want to make sure I'm posting to the correct room. Thanks again for everyone's comments.

Thanks for the Replies! We just needed some words of encouragement. And believe me - we BOTH wanted to slap that women but out of shock and fear we would get kicked out - and the grey would have suffered for it (having to stay there), we didn't. So here's the other thing - I have to wait to either late Sunday to pick up MY Grey - or until next Friday. We will be out of town this weekend and get back on Sunday. I would love to start off on the right foot and pick up Mr. Grey on (Next) Friday - this way we have all weekend to bond and start off on the right foot. I'm afraid if I pick him up on Sunday and having to go to work on Monday - it's not starting off very good. ON THE OTHER HAND - We were reconsidering since we really want to get Mr. Grey outta there ASAP. I was planning to go over there today to visit with Mr. Grey and then again next week - if we didn't pick him up on Sunday. So would it be better to visit with him in that house? or just pick him up when we are ready for him? I do not want him to associate me with those people! but I would like for him to get to know me before I bring him home. Just to reiterate on the questions - since I'm so long winded 1.) Should we pick Mr. Grey up ASAP - on Sunday and spend Sunday with him and keep him in his (VERY LARGE cage) until we get home from work on Monday? OR do we pick him up on (next) Friday when we can spend Friday and ALL weekend giving him attention? 2.) If I do wait to pick him up next Friday - do I go over there to visit with him and have him try to get used to me? or do I just wait to pick him up? I REALLY want the best for him. I'm sure moving homes - even though he's hit the "Birdy jackpot" with us, will still be a trauma experience with unfamiliar surroundings - the good thing is he is coming in his own cage - so that will be hopefully easier on him. So do you think it's best for Mr. Grey that I pick him up on Sunday (ASAP) or wait until Friday when we have time to spend with him? Thanks again for all the great advice. I can't wait to give him a GREAT home and life. as you can see by reading all this - Either way - We are bringing him home with us. The question now is when and visiting him if we wait until next Friday.... Oh yea... BTW - you will find out what we decided and how Mr. Grey does thought the course of our lives. I plan to be here a long time and ask for plenty advice One last thing - would it be cruel or difficult if we wanted to change his name? or should I just go with his current name and not even consider it? (remember he's about 2.5 years old). I'm thinking it's a bit late to try to change his name. Thanks again.

I REALLY need some opinions here.......so I REALLY hope - for the sake of the Grey and for my family, someone gives me some advice! So I've really been wanting a Grey for a long time. I've read forums, articles, seen training videos, etc. I went to meet my prospect Grey yesterday. He was beautiful. Which after a while of visiting him with the owners - I'm surprised he's not a plucker! I'm just going to call him Mr. Grey for now... I was planning to purchase a baby Grey so I could hand feed (him or her) and make sure (he) would know the entire family. AND hope that he would be friendly to the entire family. Now I do understand that he would most likely become friendlier with one particular family member - hopefully ME Now here's my dilemma...... AND I REALLY need some opinions here. (PLEASE)...... Of course Mr. Grey was not friendly to me when I meet him yesterday - matter of fact - he bit me kinda hard - no blood... no big deal. I expected and did not push for him to step up on me. But I let the owner push me a bit and that's when Mr. Grey bit me. I wasn't mad.....and like I said - I expected it. Anyway - Mr. Grey is abused - The wife hit him while we were there... and we were really in shock -thinking - "did that just happen"? Mr. Grey bit her and she slapped him and it seemed REALLY hard. I'm surprised that Mr. Grey didn't fall over..... Her face was red and you can tell she was really angry. She also informed us that "when he gets too loud and won't shut up, she squirts him with a water bottle". Now I'm thinking - oh boy... The guy also seems pretty rough with Mr. Grey but you can tell he really loves Mr. Grey. But he's just not nice to him either. When Mr. Grey isn't looking... the guy will just go to rub his tail feathers and I could see that Mr. Grey was upset and just ticked off. When they guy attempted to pick up Mr. Grey - he would bit him. But the guy wouldn't stop until Mr. Grey stepped up. Now - we really feel like we would be rescuing Mr. Grey (which is 2.5 years hold) and they have owned him for about 2 years now. But I'm afraid that Mr. Grey is just going to be mean because there is no way that he can trust a human the way he gets treated. I'm expecting 1-2 months of Mr. Grey being mean but can we rehabilitate him? can we make him nice with showing him love? or will he just be a mean Mr. Grey forever? Do you think we should get him? try to do some clicker training with him? and once he knows what that is - potty train him..... and hopefully by then - he will be nicer? Of course I know he may still bite every so often - especially if we do not pay attention to his mood......but over all - do you think he could be a part of our family and love us? Here's the other part - our family - my wife, my 17 yr son and myself. We also have 2 black labs (14yr old and a 2 yr old) and a very friendly cat that lays upside down for everyone to pet her (including the dogs). They all play together and get along great. but will that be all too much for Mr. Grey? OR ANY Grey for that matter? ************************************************************* Please comment - we just want to be a GREAT family for Mr. Grey or another Grey.... ************************************************************* Thank you!

Hello JillyBeanz, I'm new to this forum as well as hope to be new to being a Grey owner next week. (I posted http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?191557-My-first-Grey-and-he-s-2yrs-old.) This will be my first Grey but I grow up with a Amazon Parrot - (my mom still has him - named Preacher). Anyway, Welcome back JillyBeanz and I hope to get to know you as well as members.

Hello All, I'm very excited I ran across this forum and that I may be bringing home my first Grey. My first Grey's name is Gary. He's 2 yrs old and has not ever been trained. He seems to be very nice to guys but does not like women or pets. I've got a lot of information from the owner and I wanted to get some thoughts from owners on this website. The owner says Gary seems to be extremely smart. He can speak and mimic several sounds found around the house. I was thinking of bringing home a baby so I can make sure I can train from a very young age. But 2 yrs is still young enough. I'm hoping people will give me advice here - here are some of the questions I'm wondering... what re-homed stress will I expect to see? Should I start clicker training same day? wait a day or two? Once Gary realizes what the clicker is, how do I get him to be nice to my wife? How long do you think it will take Gary to get used to his new family? I saw the potty training post - since he's not potty trained - can that be the first real training after he realizes what a clicker is? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! I want Gary to be as comfortable as possible = I do not want to stress him out by moving him into our home. The two most important things after that would be for him to be nice to my wife AND to be potty trained. Thanks everyone ~!

I'm actually looking at getting my first Grey (named Gary). From what I have been told - he's about 2 years old and does not like women. With Gary being so young, do you think it's possible to do click training and then use it to get him to be nicer to women? at least my wife. Gary has not ever had any training because the current owners were not sure how to do that. But he does talk, and has his likes and dislikes. What do you think?