a little more nipping than I like

[catherine]

Hi,
My baby parrotlet, Costabel, has become more bold since I got her. She doesn't act hostile to me, but she bites me when she doesn't want to do what I want her to do (get off my shoulder, go back to cage, etc.).

I have a Barbara Heidenreich DVD that shows how to establish a target hand and train with food, etc., but Costabel is so small. It's hard to manage the hands in a way that she perceives.

Anyone use this method?

[chapala]

Cello bit a fair amount when he first came. He had been forced sometimes by his previous owner, grabbed in the cage, and had learned to bite in response. We took it easy, took our time. If he bit, he couldn't stay on me (which he wanted). I did have to put a small towel over him a few times in the beginning to put him back in the cage. I think that's better than getting bitten. And I tried to watch his body language carefully, not doing something that was likely to result in a bite.

Others here have used clicker training - very similar to Barbara Heidenreich's methods only she doesn't use a clicker but a verbal reinforcer, one less item to hold. I think it's quite possible to do with a P'let. I have done clicker work with dogs and some with my Grey (targeting, turning around, not much more). I haven't done any clicker work with Cello, but do try to use positive reinforcement as often as I can. Praise and millet treats for him.

Let us know how your doing with Costabel and specific problems you're having to see if we can help.
Reta

[LightJak07]

Max's breeder told me that Parrotlets go through a nippy stage as babies, Max is 14 weeks old and he is a little nippy but we are working on 'no bite' when he goes to nip,which he seems to understand more and more and also just ignoring it for the most part if he does, I think he is testing the limits and all the books I have read say to ignore this so it doesn't grow into a problem and calmly tell him no. I think it's kinda like training a puppy, you have to be consistant and very gentle. They are smart, they will get it. Max has never bitten down very hard but he likes to pick at hair and moles much to my dismay.

[Sally]

For me, Code words have helped calm Chipper. "Beaky, Beaky," "Easy does it" etc. I then rub her beak, she loves that. Giving scritches helps too. I try to keep her calm when she starts to get nutty and nippy. I think they just have it in their nature and we get a good bond and trust and learn little tricks to help them.

Also, flying and letting of steam helps Chipper, ha. She likes to go talk to herself.

I say "Blankie" and put my hand on her and pick her up and she is calm. When she is good, no nipping when I pick her up, I click my tongue like a clicker. She likes that.


Do something over and over. They love to know what is going to happen. By saying a word, they then know you will now pick them up and what you expect. We also just have to know they will never be perfect, ha.

Here is Chipper with a Beaky Beaky. This must feel very good. I rub around her beak and where is meets the feathers. She loves it.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/PICT0901sm.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/nightnight450.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/PICT0905200.jpg