how to tame

[jackass]

hi can any one help me i have a gray that did like me at one time but now i carnt go up to the cage to feed her or do any thing with her i am thinking about looking for a new home for her cos i just dont no wat to do for the best can any one help me pls

[BaxtersMom]

I think in order to help you we will need a little more information from you. How long have you had your grey? Are there other people in your household that your grey does like? What is your greys name? How old is your grey? You said your grey did like you at one time...Did something happen to change that? When did the change happen? Does s/he associate you with something bad that happened? Was your grey tame at one time and handlable? Is s/he let out of his cage daily or always in the cage? Please give us some more information so we can help you out for your specific problem and I'm sure many will be able to give you good advice.

[jackass]

hi sorry i dint say she was hand tame when we got her at 11weeks old she is now 1. her name is willow and she will not come out her cage any more she was allways out with me but not no more. and she has been like this just be for xmas. she is ok with my wife but its an on off thing with her i miss the times we had i carnt come in the room with out her screemin at me i just dont no wat i have done thanks for your reply

[BaxtersMom]

Something might have happened that frightened her and she might associate it with you and maybe blame you for it, whether you had anything to do with it or not. If this is the case, you will have to earn back Willows trust and it may take a long time. Start from scratch and just talk to her, sit by her cage at a distance she is comfortable with. Read her a book, magazine, sing to her, tell her about your day, offer her her favorite treats and be patient. I would respect her space for awhile and not try to push. Let her come back to trusting you at her own pace.

 

You said she still gets along with your wife though. That is good. I am wondering if she has recently chosen your wife as her favorite person. Many greys are one person birds. They get attached to one family member and that sometimes will be the only person a grey will associate with. Baxter (my grey) was fine with me and my husband for the first few months we had him. Then overnight it seemed he would not allow my husband to pick him up anymore at all. If he did, he would bite my husband really hard and go for blood. My husband doesn't pick him up anymore but now they have "come to an understanding" and my husband worked his way back up to giving him treats and petting him. He can do anything now except pick him up. It was really strange because it came on so unexpectedly.

 

You said Willow screams when you come in the room now and I understand that can be hard to take but I would let her scream but keep talking to her in a soft voice to reassure her.

 

Like I said, it may take time but will be well worth it.

If your wife still has a good relationship with Willow, I would not rehome her.

 

It is very important for greys to have as much out of the cage time as possible. Atleast 3 to 4 hours a day and more if possible. Does Willow still come out of her cage if your wife is around?

 

Also, is she still eating good, playing well and acting her usual self, except for the recent attitude with you. I am just wondering if there is an underlying health issue is why I asked.

 

Keep trying and go slow with her again. Spend as much time talking to her and offering her treats as possible.

 

I am hoping others will have more advice to give you on this too. Keep us posted.