Tips for training older greys?

[Colliz]

Hi all

 

Those that have read my post in the Welcome Room will know that I have recently 'adopted' two greys, Charlie 'Chazzles' (age 6, adopted 3 1/3 weeks ago, female we think, loves men hates women), and Charlie 'Chazwick' (also 6, adopted yesterday, male we think, likes women hates men).

 

Neither of them have been used to coming out of the cage and do no know any commands. Chazzles will step onto my hubby's arm and go up to his shoulder, but won't let him go anywhere that 'she' can't see her cage. I haven't let Chazwick out of his cage yet as he is still settling and a bit stressed, but I have been able to have tickles on the head and touch his beak without problem.

 

I would like to know how best to approach training as I want them to be able to spend as much time out of the cage with us as possible. I have also bought a large play stand on wheels, but so far Chazzles won't be allowed to be out anywhere near it. I realise it's early days, but I want to approach training right the first time!

[TinyTimneh]

Congrats on your new greys!

 

I think the fact that you can touch them so quickly after they arrived at your place is good. I wouldn't worry about step-ups quite yet, instead, just let them both out to play, feed them some treats and hang out together for a bit. After you've all come to know each other well, then, you can work on the step-ups.

I think actually you should let Chazwick out onto his cage and the stand, in fact, it might be easier to work with him away from his cage, same with the other grey.

As far as training goes, aside for the basics of keep calm, go slow and always be positive and never hit or yell at your birds, how you train them is a personal thing. Aim for the basics of 'step-up' and 'off' (or down, whatever you like), what you teach your parrots after that is up to you. Read through some books, (there's got to be a suggested reading list on this forum somewhere).

Also, don't set your sights so high, no one gets it right the first time, and by having such expectations, your nervous energy about being afraid to mess up will transfer to your birds, everyone makes mistakes. heck, there's no book on parenting, for human babies or parrots, it's trial and error.

Oh, and don't be afraid to set boundaries, limitations and rules for the greys, and as they're older birds heading into maturity they're gonna need them, it might be more difficult because they've never had rules before but stick to it.

Good luck and feel free to ask more questions to anyone here if you need more help!

[BaxtersMom]

Hello and congradulations on your new greys and karma to you for taking in older birds. They need love and homes too. I too have adopted 4 older birds and have never experienced the joys of having a baby bird to raise but I find it very rewarding to take in neglected birds and really turn their life around.

 

TinyTimneh has given some great advice. Some greys are more difficult than others so time is the key. I would first work on letting them have out of the cage time with "no worries" about training. Once they get used to going in and out, they will love it but it can take some time though. You may even have to remove them (gently) from the cage and put them on top the first time or two. They will realize it's fun to be out of the cage:woohoo: .

 

Give them treats by hand which helps them understand that hands are not a bad thing. Talk to them alot, sing to them, read books, tell them about the weather, the kind of day you are having, etc:laugh: just spend as much time with them by their cage so they can get used to you.

 

When it is time to try and handle them and teach them the step up command I think it is a very good idea to take them away from their cage. Perhaps a bathroom or a bedroom where they can not see the cage or have any other distractions. Even if it's only for 10 minutes or so. I know when mine first came to me, they would see that cage and it seemed like that's all they could think about was getting back to it.

 

Just go slow, like TinyTimneh said, don't set high expectations at first. They will need to settle in. You will be able to tell when they are feeling a little more comfortable with you and willing to try new things. One of my greys was so willing to do new stuff and was pretty easy to deal with after the first month but another parrot I got is fighting us on everything it seems:laugh: They will differ so if one seems like he's catching on more than the other don't worry about it too much.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about one liking men and one liking women. Sometimes they do have preferences because that's all they are used to but 2 of mine have been owned by men but now prefer me:) Either way a good relationship can still be formed with both of them.

 

Keep us posted and don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have. Good luck!

[Colliz]

We're getting on quite well now (see my other posts), but try as we might we CANNOT get either of them to go anywhere near the playstand......... it is THE DEVIL REINCARNATE and must not be trusted! If I could get them on there and remove them from the room where the cages are it would be much easier to train them.

 

I have given up for now and put the playstand away in the garage for Christmas as we have houseguests and that will be traumatic enough for them, but I do want to address the situation again in the New Year.

 

Any tips fellow parrents?