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vanant
Member
USA
7 Posts |
 Posted - 05/09/2005 : 21:48:50
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I first want to say I have grown up with birds but never a macaw.This is my first. I volunteer for the hospice group and have a pet theropy program I got involved in. I fell in love with this macaw at a pet store and he took to me right away. He is a year old and cute as can be. Very lovable at times. I have only had him a week and everything was working out great until today when my daughter had her friend come over with her 2 yr old son. I was playing with the 2 year old on the sofa then when I went to the cage by myself to say hi to him he sreamed then bit me. He didn't settle down til after they left. I feel like he felt threatened by the 2 yr old or jealous. How do I stop this behavior? I need to start socializing him but if he acts like that I am afraid to have him around the cancer patience. That was my whole purpose to join him in on the program. Other then today he has been very sweet and gives me kisses. Did I pick the wrong typ bird to do this with. I was told by numerous people he would be a wonderful canidate for the program. Whats your input?
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MMOXIEE@aol.com
Top Gold Member
81 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2005 : 16:39:36
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Hello "vanant"
Welcome to Macaw Dreams. First off, a couple of questions for you so we can better help you. Have you had a chance to read the articles on the main page? What type of "pet store" did you get you macaw from? Does this store specialize in birds, how was the bird raised? see link http://www.companionparrot.com/articles/birdshop.html
to best prepare your macaw for life as a pet as well as a therapy animal your gonna want to get to know some basics on training and how to give your bird the best start in life.
http://www.companionparrot.com/articles/guidance.html
Do you have experience with other types of therapy animals?
You wrote-I need to start socializing him but if he acts like that I am afraid to have him around the cancer patience.
Are you aware that there are classes and evaluations for you and your pet to see if either of you qualify to do pet therapy programs?
www.deltasociety.org/petpart/dsa400.htm
-Did I pick the wrong typ bird to do this with.
It doesn't matter the type of bird, what matters is temperament and training.
Your best bet would be to learn how to do clicker training w/ your bird to get some basic commands down then go from there.
http://community-2.webtv.net/Lincomacaws/ClickingwithBirds/
I can give you some more info but these are a good start.
Let us know if you have more questions.
thanks
Lindsey |
Edited by - MMOXIEE@aol.com on 05/10/2005 16:41:37 |
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vanant
Member
USA
7 Posts |
 Posted - 05/10/2005 : 17:16:12
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| The bird came from a well known chain pet store. Petsmart. I origanlly was going for a cockatoo (ducorp) for the program from a breeder I know very well. I went into petsmart to by the cockatoo more playtoys. (its still being weaned) when I saw Zazu my macaw. I'm not aware of a theropy group here where you go for screening.But I'm sure they do. I just want to make sure he will pass a screening test. This is through hospice when people make requests to visit with a animal of there choice. My father had cancer and died in feb. I was his caregiver and hospice had asked him if he wanted to have visits from and animal, he said no. Of course he was to sick to care. After he died hospice asked me if I wanted to come volunteer for them. I of course said yes. I was with my dad at the nursing home 6 to 7 hours a day and not much to do. I just thought it would brighten up someones day once a week with this bird or any animal. I have had bird experiance throughout my childhood but macaws are completly different. He is a VERY sweet bird but just needs guidance. I feel yestarday was a terriorial issues. Your info is wonderful and will use it. I have bought some books but none of them are really telling me the solution. I do know Zazu was sent here to wichita, kansas from florida 6 months ago and has been sitting there at petsmart since his arrival. Where he was before that was hopefully the breeder. They were just about ready to send him to the Kansas City store the following day and I was a sucker and didn't want him to sit for another six months. I am not giving up on him since I have fallen in love with him. I know since he is still young he will be easy to adjust. Today has been much better. If he is perched below my eyes he will listen to me pretty good. |
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MMOXIEE@aol.com
Top Gold Member
81 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2005 : 19:20:42
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So are you still getting the cockatoo as well?
If your macaw was sitting around at petsmart its possible he has had bad experience w/ children of that age. As far as the biting goes the best thing to do is learn body language and avoid getting bit . Also do not react when he bite you. The best books to start out w/ are both by Sally,
The Companion Parrot Handbook and the Beak Book which is specifically about biting, read her articles on her website too!!
http://www.companionparrot.com/help.html
Also check out "Good Bird" by Barbara Heidenriech
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/103-1139953-9859819
I would also get him checked out by a reputable avian vet, the first sign of illness can be a sudden change in behavior i.e. biting. Plus since you just got him you'll want to anyway.
Thanks
Lindsey
p.s. we still don't know your name |
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vanant
Member
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2005 : 21:17:58
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| Thank you so much for the info. You don't know what that means to me. I will buy the books ASAP!! My name is Carrie. I think I'm off to the right start and hopefully I'll be on my way to a wonderful journey. Thanks again. |
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Toy
Top Gold Member
USA
390 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2005 : 23:12:48
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B&G Macaws are known as the clowns of the macaw world. They also adapt to most situations better than the other species of macaws. From about age 10 months to around 3 years of age they go thru changes just like a human toddler. This is the time they learn to use their voice, beak, etc. They will test you over & over to see what you will let them get away with & what they can get rewarded for. This is the time you need to do strict training so the bird knows what you expect from it. Your training must be consistant or you will confuse the bird. Keep to the same words for each command you ask the bird to do & ALWAYS phrase the bird for doing what you asked it to. Notice I said "Asked" Parrots are amazing creatures & they deserve total respect.
Always phrase a positive action (stepping up/down, NOT screaming, NOT biting, etc). Ignore & walk away if the bird is screaming. Anytime you show any attention to a negative thing the bird is doing you are actually rewarding the bird. Attention to them is a reward & once they learn you will give them attention for doing a certain thing they'll do it more & more.
Also the bird needs to have FUN. Life to a Macaw is nothing but fun & they will try to find ways to have fun. Macaws LOVE to swing & swing & swing. Be it on a swing, a boing, a orb or a rope they need something to swing from. Act silly, sing, dance, play games, etc.
Parrots being flock animals need to be included in your daily life to feel like they are part of your flock/family. Helping with the dishes, laundry, walking to the mail box, etc are all things you can include your bird in. Sharing meals is one of the best, as it's natural to them to flock to eat.
Parrots can sense adrenal surges/stress/high energy/etc in us that we can not or don't notice. This will increase their energy levels & can send them into overload. Do parrots get jealous? Some say no, but I say yes. It's the same as fighting for a mate or nest...it's a territorial thing. Mine show signs of it all the time. So it is possible your bird was showing he sensed the high energy from the child & was jealous at the same time. He is looking to you as his mate.
Coming from a pet store where he sat for 6 months gave him plenty of time to be poked/proded & mistreated by customers/children & the employees of the store. You need to pay very close attention to his actions/movements/sounds. Learn what each movement/scream/growl/etc means. Once you do this it will be so much easier for you to train him. By train I don't mean tricks, I mean teach him what is acceptable & what is not. Pinning of the eyes shows he is excited, swaying back & forth can mean he's nervous. An ACK sound also means he's nervous/scared. A raised foot has 2 meanings...get back you're too close to me & you are scaring me or I wanna play or step up. Once you learn his movements use them to teach him to react/respond on cue by adding words. You can also use his movements to teach hm different meanings. Swaying back & forth/nervous can be changed/taught to mean dancing.
One of the things I find really helps is taking time to explain everything to them. Show them the frig, chair, sofa, tub, etc. Explain to them what everything is so they know & also touch it. Once they know it won't hurt you they will accept it & not be afraid. Explain why you want the bird to step up/down & why/where you're taking it.
If you plan on using your bird as a therapy bird then get it out & socazlize it now, not later. The sooner the better. Pass the bird off to family & friends so it realizes it's OK to go to another person. If your bird lets you, touch it all over. Rub it's feet, chest, neck, beak, underwings, spread wings out, etc. This gets the bird used to being touched. Do note that rubbing underwings, tail & back can stimulate sexual desires later on in it's life.
If you plan on using a harness then get one now & try to get the bird to accept it. Some will wear them & others will flatly refuse.
Best wishes,
Toy
Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. |
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MMOXIEE@aol.com
Top Gold Member
81 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 01:04:40
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So Carrie,
tell us more about the birds you grew up with, do you still have them?
 How did you find MD? Do you have anymor Q's. Do you need help finding an avian vet?
Lindsey |
Edited by - MMOXIEE@aol.com on 05/11/2005 01:08:15 |
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vanant
Member
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 11:24:38
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| Toy that was very helpful information. Thank you. I ordered the book " How to train your pet like a television star" to start with the clicker training. That sounds just like what I'm looking for so I can use positive reinforcement. I don't believe in shouting or thumping the beak that is not the way to go. Lindsey I am 43 now but living at home while growing up we had a English parakeet. Very smart bird! He would come to you when you called for him and loved to play with our dog. (Labador) And our dog loved our bird.(tweety)My grandmother also had birds mostly parakeets. Tweety lived for about 15 years. When I moved out a friend of mine bought a cockateil for me as a present and he was fantastic! Being around birds I know kind of how to look for there body laungage and sounds they make. Parrots are a little diffrent but starting to pick up on it. They thing I'm working on right now is bathing. I know at the pet store they told me they used a spray bottle which he hated. And my reply to them was "WELL HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE SPRAYED BY A SPRAY BOTTLE" Duh! Now he hates water but has to have a bath. So I purchased a perch for the tub and everytime I take a shower he goes with me. I don't get him wet just yet. But want him to see me taking a showing. I 'm thinking once he see's me enjoy it he will think hey this might be kinda fun. Maybe by next week I can slowly move the shower head closer to him. Other them that the biting I don't pay attention to and he has calmed down some. Mealtime he sits by use at his playgym and I give him his own plate. He loves it! Last night I bought "Racing Stripes" for my youngest daughter (12) and the whole family including ZaZu watched it. It was so much fun just knowing he enjoyed being included in the group. Now he getting to the point where he knows now that this family might just be o.k to be with. |
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vanant
Member
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 11:53:05
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| I guess I forgot to mention I found this site from a web search I was looking for chat rooms or forums on parrots for advice and found this. Glad I did it has been helpful. We do have one avian vet here in Wichita but any major things I would have to drive to K.C but thats o.k because thats where my relitives live. Ihope this answers some questions so far. This site I have to say has been the most informative so far. |
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Toy
Top Gold Member
USA
390 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 13:59:04
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Carrie:
When I got JaJaBinks she had been abused/neglected. Her previous owners kept her in a home made cage (plastic coated garden wire). It was way too small for her & only had a 1 inch dowel rod for a perch. They also kept her in the dark 24 x 7 so she'd be quiet. She had no toys & was only feed cheap junky seed from Wal-Mart. Peanuts were treats. She hadn't been out of that cage in months & she was only 2 years old! She took to me instantly letting me touch her all over. Her owners were shocked, as they couldn't even touch her. She is totally bonded to me & refuses to let anyone else touch her. She will step up for anyone, but they can not touch her or she will bite them.
Her previous owners back handed her & snapped her on the beak, which I witnessed. I bit my tongue, as I was afraid if I said anything they would let me buy her & she'd be stuck in that place.
The day I went to see her I brought her home. I didn't want her to suffer one more day. She was so filthy her feathers curled up on her back & wings. She smelled like a old wet dog that had been living on the streets for a few years. It was BAD! As soon as I got her home I took her straight to the tub & scrubbed her, yes scrubbed, with bird shampoo twice to get all the dirt out. Afterwards she went wild with joy. She was finally clean. Her nails were over 2 inches long & sharp as daggers. During her bath she put a 2.5 inch slit in the palm of my hand. So I sat her on my dog grooming table & explained to her they need clipped really bad & she held up a foot & I snipped them off. She was so happy. The next step was food. I filled a dish with veggies & fruits. Her taste buds went wild. She stuffed herself.
After that first scrubbing it took 6 months to get her to love showers. Now I have to pry her out of the tub. She prefers to be on the tub floor with the shower head hanging down. She likes to run into the water & back & forth in the tub, hide behind the shower curtain, etc. She flaps her wings, screams, talks, stand on her head & just acts totally silly. I got her to like showers by just being consistant & also slapping the tub floor with my hand. The water pools up a little form the shower & OI just slap it & she runs over & jumps on the back of my hand. A normal shower for her now is 20 minutes of getting soaked to the skin.
She still has issues from her previous life, like pure hatred of towels & a harness. She also won't let a man touch her. I warned the vet about the towels, but he didn't listen & got nailed, LOL. She has come along way in the 5 years I've had her. She talks allot & knows how to use those words too. She has a super silly personallity. I can take her any place & she behaves extremely well. She loves to go places with me & one of her fav places is the motorcycle club.
Give your bird time & let in join in. Explain everything to it & be consistant in your training. Soon you will be smiling from ear to ear in amazement.
Toy
Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. |
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Gpsyps
Top Gold Member
USA
308 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 14:54:20
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Carrie, Lindsey & Toy - this has been such an informative chat. Thank you all so much. Welcome Carrie and in no time you'll be so pleased with your new one. I've been curious about clicker training but after reading the attachments I too bought a book and clicker today.
Again - thanks for ALL the great info.
Natalie & Girls |
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vanant
Member
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 17:36:20
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Toy,
That story is so sad but turned out wonderful!!!! I get teary eyed when reading about how it was abused. I watch the show animal cops on animal planet and just shocked how I see the conditions of the animals. You are a blessing and JaJaBinks will cherish you forever. |
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MMOXIEE@aol.com
Top Gold Member
81 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2005 : 00:22:13
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Hey Natalie,
what book did you get? I can always use a good recomendation. I've heard clicker training can work wonders w/ aggresive birds. Make sure to let us know how it works out:)
Lindsey
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Gpsyps
Top Gold Member
USA
308 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2005 : 09:06:52
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Lindsey I ordered the Clicker Manual, Clicker and Target Stick from the site you recommended.
http://community-2.webtv.net/Lincomacaws/ClickingwithBirds/
There is a Clicker Book out but can't remember whom wrote it. I scanned through it breifly while at the book store a couple weeks ago but decided to do more online research. So here goes. My manual should arrive in about 2 weeks then I will read through and begin. I will keep you all posted on how were doing. From what I've read so far it seems to be pretty good training!
Natalie & Girls |
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I have a new Blue and Gold Macaw and need advice
