Panda's biting!

[sbeasley]

Hi again everyone,

 

I need more advice! Our new bird, Panda, who, as I mentioned in my previous post, is very skiddish, has bitten me several times. This morning, the bite was pretty hard. When I talk to her, she comes over and perches on her cage close to me, fluffs up and "pins" me. I talk to her very sweetly and calmly, but she just seems to absolutely despise me. Our other bird, Auggie, gives me kisses all the time, and when I ask Panda for a kiss (which I totally don't expect to get at this point, I just say it for the point of saying it to her), she leans in and if I lean towards her at all, she tries to bite. Today, I asked her to step up and usually if you kind of follow her around with your two fingers out, she will step up after a few seconds. Today, I got a big bite. It didn't break the skin but it's actually still stinging. I know I'm being ridiculous but I take it so personally, and it hurt my feelings pretty bad. My question is how should I react when she does this? I have been very calm and only talk very sweetly to her. When she has bitten, I say no to her but in a very calm voice and ask her to be nice. What's the best way to get her to stop biting? She hasn't bitten my husband, only me. Maybe I'm invading her "space" too much??? I could really use some help. Thanks in advance!

 

Crissy

[she]

Hi Crissy. We have all been bitten at some point. Dont take it personal. Panda is very new to you and the suroundings. She is feeling nervey and strange. You are right to sugest giving her more space.Just offer her treats and dont expect anything from her.I would just talk to her and let her settle.Offer her treats by hand and let her come in and out her cage on her own.

[judygram]

Crissy, since you have only had her for a few days you might be pushing her too much too soon, she needs time to settle in and get comfortable in her new home so ease up a bit and see if things improve with some time.

 

It takes weeks, months and sometimes a year or more to gain a grey's trust so be patient and continue to talk to her softly and offer her treats.

 

I would discontinue the trying to lean in for kisses until you are more familiar with her body language so you can read into what she is trying to tell you.

 

I have included a link to a fine article written by Dave that will help you to understand the things your grey may be trying to tell you, I hope it is of some help to you.

 

http://www.greyforums.net/forums/training/109373-body-language-most-frequently-seen.html#109436<br><br>Post edited by: judygram, at: 2008/12/12 20:34

[Luvparrots]

Crissy, Panda probably just needs a little space. Slow down and just talk to her calmly and let her come to you. I know it's hard to not want to be with them all the time, but it is all new to her. My grey has only been with me for a couple of weeks so I know how hard it is to not "bug" her all the time. They are so great and you just want to luv them all the time.:silly:

[sbeasley]

Hi Guys,

Thank you all for responding! As before, I appreciate your advice and help. I read the article you sent, judygram, and WOW! That should be printed out and given to every new grey owner on the planet! I've done research on the internet, of course, and read from cover to cover a book on greys. I learned quite a bit from both sources but the above article was extremely helpful. After having a good cry this morning after getting bitten twice (once while trying to put Cheerios in her bowl), I did a little more research specifically on biting. I tried the distraction technique of waving my left hand while putting food in her bowl with the right, and I gave her a very small treat holding it with my thumb and first finger. Both attempts went off without a hitch! No bites -- and that distraction thing works great! I did some heavy praising after both times, so hopefully, given some time and more patience, she'll come around. It's just VERY important to me to gain her trust and love, and I REALLY don't want to screw up. Those of you that read my previous post know that our other bird, Auggie, is my LOVE! And I'm hoping that Panda will be, too.