| We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, voting in polls and entering the competitions where prizes are given every month. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Please HELP!!!; hates me | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: Jul 22 2008, 01:31 PM (359 Views) | |
| squirtsmom | Jul 22 2008, 01:31 PM Post #1 |
Newbie
  ![]](http://209.85.48.20/static/1/pip_r.png)
|
so I got squirt back in march. He was about 8weeks old and was picked on by his parents. I have him in the biggest cage i could afford and he has more toys than most parrotlets could even dream of. i sit by his cage all the time and talk to him but he hates me. i have tried just about everything. I have tried using a treat but i can't get close enough i have tried using a perch but he freaks out. um let's see as soon as i open his cage he runs to the back and if i stick my arm in to put food in he opens his mouth and backs up. The 2nd day i had him i was able to get him out of the cage to play on a stand but he just wanted to go back in his cage. it has been a couple months and it is not getting better. I am losing hope that we will ever be friends. does anyone know of a better way to make friends with my lil squirt. |
 |
 
|
| bonnie | Jul 22 2008, 02:35 PM Post #2 |
Co Admin
|
He doesn't hate you :) it sounds as though he's very hand shy though. Luckily Squirt is still very much a baby so very trainable. Does Squirt have full flight wings? I never thought I would say this but I would suggest maybe a few less toys so he is a little dependent on you for entertainment. It sounds as though your going to have to start over from scratch. Talking by the cage is a great start, even if he won't do a step up take him out of the cage. Go directly to your bathroom....making sure toilet seat is down and if you have shower curtains be sure they are closed. Spend at least 15-30 minutes with him. If he flies off this is your chance to teach the step up. He will be scared when he's on the floor because birds are vulnerable on the ground. Say step up when you go to get him and be sure to say GOOD BOY when he does. Whatever his favorite treat is give that to him during your training. He may not eat it at first but will eventually as he gets less nervous. Do these sessions twice a day until you see that he's no longer nervous and flying off you. You can then move into a bedroom and continue the sessions. I would suggest you clip the wings because a nervous bird may hurt themselves flying. Good luck and keep us posted :)
Edited by bonnie, Jul 22 2008, 02:36 PM.
|
|
|
|
| squirtsmom | Jul 22 2008, 02:47 PM Post #3 |
|
Newbie
|
one more question on that reply. how do i get him out of the cage i can't catch him lol.. he's a quick lil thing. The last time i took him to the vet he did nothing but bite me and the vet. i will try to get him out tonight and take him in my bathroom. i will let you know how it goes tomorrow. thank you so much!!! |
|
|
|
| bonnie | Jul 22 2008, 02:58 PM Post #4 |
|
Co Admin
|
Well sadly you have to take the bites drats don't pull him off the cage that will scare him. He will let go of the cage. I have to do this with my male Parrotlet he has never did a step up out of the cage but once out he's a good boy. My female will but not the male :question: :question: :question: Your going to get bit theres no doubt about it but if he learns to trust you it will lessen each and every time. Good Luck. Even though my male won't step up from his cage I know it's still very important for him to be handleable. He may one day need meds administered so he needs to allow you to hold him. |
|
|
|
| squirtsmom | Jul 22 2008, 03:04 PM Post #5 |
|
Newbie
|
ok i will try that... i should record me trying to catch that will def. be a funny situation rofl. i hope this works because it breaks my heart to see him in the cage all the time. i had a senegal parrot and he was friendly from the first day. i couldn't keep him in his cage. i had the sene out all the time.. thanks again for your help i'll llet you know. |
|
|
|
| bonnie | Jul 22 2008, 03:16 PM Post #6 |
|
Co Admin
|
Your welcome and I'm sure other members will have a lot of great suggestions too. I've learned to accept Adam the way he is so long as he lets me hold him when out of his cage. |
|
|
|
| squirtsmom | Jul 22 2008, 03:26 PM Post #7 |
|
Newbie
|
yeah it's just so frustrating. Angry Sile this is pretty much my last attempt to make friends. he doesn't have to love me and cuddle with me i just want him to be happy (awww i sound like a mom). I spoke to the place i got him from and they said they would find a new home if it doesn't work out. i just want to know i did everything possible. |
|
|
|
| Jan | Jul 22 2008, 07:17 PM Post #8 |
Advanced Member
|
Hello there.. Dont give up.. my two are 5 months old.. They wont sit on my finger.. When out of the cage they are like bee's going around.. They still bite me given the chance... I handle mine with a soft pair of gloves on.. Partily because I have such cold hands.. Also they are use to me catching them in the cage with them on now.. I sit and cuddle each and chat to them one at a time... While I watch TV.. Im getting there very slowly.. So dont give up yet... think of me 5months down the line and still trying.... It will all work out sometime.. Patience and kindness.. Jan |
|
|
|
| theexbrit | Jul 23 2008, 12:08 AM Post #9 |
Staff Member
|
If you're willing to put the time & effort into it, the thing I would do would be to open the door to his cage & just sit by the cage talking to him. Maybe play with a toy or toy outside the cage to get his interest & see if he will come out on his own. You'll have to do this for several days. Maybe put some treats (millet, etc) just outside the cage & see if he'll come out on his own. If he does, don't try to grab him or make him step up, he has to learn that it's ok to be outside the cage first. Then you can try to get him interested in being with you. You're lucky in the sense that he is an only birds, so it should be a little easier than if he had a pal to bond with. Was he tame at all when you got him? Can you give us a bit more detail on his behavior from when you got him to now? As Bonnie & Jan say, don't give up. It can be very hard & take some time, but most birds will come around eventually. |
|
|
|
| Gardengail | Jul 23 2008, 12:34 AM Post #10 |
Staff Member
|
Bonnie, Jan and X have given you excellent advice. I agree with them...please don't give up. He's only 8 weeks old and is so very, very trainable and impressionable right now. I'm thinking a lot of what he's doing is testing the waters with you right now too. Cricket did that with me when I first brought him home and he was 8 weeks also. Do not show any fear or pull your hand back when you try to make him step up. Seriously...shove your hand (gently) under his breastbone and tell him to step up with authority in your voice. Let him know that you are the boss. That is so very important. If you don't establish the pecking order now, you could create a little monster... :scared: |
|
|
|
| squirtsmom | Jul 23 2008, 12:00 PM Post #11 |
|
Newbie
|
thank you all so much.. he's older now. i got him in march. he's about 5mths old now. ok so i tried the bathroom thing yesterday.... oh my GOD!!!!! well first it took me forever to catch him in his cage. I followed him around slowly with my hand but no shot that i was coming close to catching him.. i finally took his travel cage and put my hand behind him so he scooted in the case. i took him in the bathroom and opened the cage. He hopped out and wanted nothing to do with me. i took toys, treats, food, everything i could think of and he would run away from me. as soon as my finger would touch him to do the step up he freaked out. i only did this for about 5min until he would stay in a corner and try to hide. he didn't even get a chance to bite me cause he wouldn't give me a chance to get close enough... i tried using a towel and held him talking nicely and petting his belly. i feel so bad!!! i will try again tonight but i think im just scaring him more... and i tried the door open for a couple hours and he didn't even come close to the door lol. ugh im so sad crying |
|
|
|
| Gardengail | Jul 23 2008, 12:07 PM Post #12 |
|
Staff Member
|
Awwww...he sounds like a stubborn little guy..lol. Try to work with him on a daily basis...eventually he'll get the message that you are not the enemy! |
|
|
|
| squirtsmom | Jul 23 2008, 12:34 PM Post #13 |
|
Newbie
|
Stubborn isn't even the word lol... i even bought a cage for outside so when i do yardwork he can hang out there. like i said i dont care if he loves me and doesn't want to cuddle i just don't want him to spend his whole life locked up in a cage. |
|
|
|
| theexbrit | Jul 23 2008, 05:17 PM Post #14 |
|
Staff Member
|
You're going to have to go very slowly with this. You said the poor little guy was picked on by his parents so you must expect some nervousness on his part, you really have to win his trust. If you want a tame pet bird you're going to have to work on it for some time with him. If you're not prepared to do this you must find somebody that will & maybe get yourself an already tame bird. It is very frustrating at times trying to tame a bird, but the rewards are worth every minuet spent. With the "door open" thing, it may take a long time, don't expect him to change quickly. I wouldn't even try to catch him. He has to get used to coming out of the cage before you even try to get him to bond with you. Just take him in the bathroom in the cage, leave the cage door closed for the first few days, just sit & talk to him so that he gets the idea that he is safe in the bathroom. I would put some millet in his cage whenever you take him to the bathroom. Don't give him millet any other time, this way he'll know that he gets a treat whenever he is in there with you. Try using hemp seeds sometimes instead of millet, they love it! leave the door open every day for an hour or two & sit by the cage talking to him & just let him come out of his own accord, don't try to go in after him. This may take days, but don't force him whatever you do. After a few days of leaving the door open, if he starts coming out just let him climb where he wants, don't move, just let him get used to being out of his cage. It could be a fear issue that's making him this way, so he needs to learn that it's safe to come out. Each time you try to catch him it's making him more fearful. Birds are prey animals & will naturally try their darndest to avoid being "caught" by anyone or anything. If he still won't come out on his own after at least 4-5 days, you can try to slowly start putting your hand inside the cage, don't try to grab him, just rest your hand in the cage while talking positively to him. Do this for a few more days & see if he will climb on your hand by himself. You can hold a piece of millet or some other treat & let him check it out for himself. Again, don't force him to do anything, you'll destroy any progress you've made if you try to grab him, he has to want to do this. We used this method on a couple of untamed budgies & it worked, but as I keep saying it will take time. You didn't say if he was ever tame & has just started doing this or has he always been like this? |
|
|
|
| Jan | Jul 24 2008, 08:43 AM Post #15 |
|
Advanced Member
|
Laugh about it all... Have you tried cuddling him? Yes I know you have to catch him 1st... But it may just help.... My two are coming slowly very slowly... Jan |
|
|
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Parrotlet Behavior and facts · Next Topic » |
2:09 PM Aug 28
