Human training??

[MadMandy]

Hi everyone, I am new here, and I love the info I have been able to access at this site!!! I have really learned a lot, thank you!

 

I will be bird sitting for my mom for a potentially extended period of time. She has a 15 year old male CAG named Ringer (aka Ring Ding, Ding Dong, Ding-a-ling). She has had Ring for about 5 years, but he was raised as a baby by one of her friends, so he has always known my mom.

 

Ring has spent a few weeks at a time at my house before, and we love having him here! He ADORES my boyfriend (he even tries to regurgitate food for him), and my bf loves him right back. I have no idea why, but Ring definitely has a tendancy to be a bit more friendly with men.

 

Ring will let me scratch his head, and he even blushes when I talk to him for extended periods of time (my bf’s son says I have a voice that animals love). I love to sit next to him and read a book, and he enjoys the company. But…I just can’t bring myself to offer him my hand to step up. He knows what it means, and does it for my mom, but I am so scared to even try.

 

My biggest issue is that this time, it could be a few months with us, which is fine, except I am petrified of being bitten. I was bitten by a cockatoo a few years ago and it scared the bejesus out of me, not to mention it hurt like hell! It was a few weeks for my bruise to fully heal, even though the skin break healed very quickly. I am obviously still traumatized by the event. :dry:

 

I have no idea where to start with building trust. At this point, it is myself that I do not trust to not waver if he tries to bite and I understand that he will because he does like to test his limits. As I said, he could be visiting for a few months with us, and in that time, I would love to be able to handle him confidently. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I just want to provide my little bro what he deserves.

[Dave007]

Try to have the bird out of the cage and somewhat near you or you near him when you're ready to try things out.

Put on a long sleeved shirt. If he is near you when you're reading, let him check out your fist/shirt first. Offer the hand but make sure it's a fist. Say sweet nothings to him. Basically, ignore him and let him investigate. Slowly move your fist/arm near him. Ask him if he wants to step up. If he doesn't seem interested than forget it. Don't press the point. Let him go back to checking things out. Go back to what you're doing. Next day or next time try it again. If and when he finally hops on, just talk to him lightly. Keep your hand and arm slightly aimed upward. No fast hand jerks. If he shows any signs of getting nippy, take your fist and wobble it a bit. The bird will instantly stop what it's doing because his footing won't be secure. If that happens, go to the cage and put him on it. Do the process over and over. You'll get used to it and he'll get used to you. I doubt that he's a violent bird considering what you said about being friendly with people. If he was a real biter, it would have shown up a long time ago. All birds test the water with their beak. Their beak is their hand. Take it slow and easy and be consistant. The secret is repetition--Good luck<br><br>Post edited by: MrSpock, at: 2007/11/16 01:36