Distracting From A Bite ?

[JJin]

My CAG has started biting, he's four-months-old. Well he doesn't actually bite me but my brother when they're alone and when I go near to try to stop the biting he also bites me. I know what it means that young parrots like to 'test' the 'perch' if it's stable or not before stepping up and he does that, it's not biting and I'm fine with that, but what he does to my brother it really hurts.

When the CAG is gently testing the perch before stepping up I usually say nothing to him but when he bites me or my brother something has to be done differently. The Vet gave me advice to teach the parrot the meaning of 'NO' and 'No biting' by grabbing the parrots beak for a few seconds when he bites. First time I heard that I was suspicious because everything I had read before that told me to teach not to bite in a very different way. Anyways I took the vets word from it and tried her methods, afterall she had a CAG for over 15 years. I haven't had much of success yet though. Grabbing the parrots beak seems to increase his will to bite again. He probably thinks it's a game where I grab his beak and he bites me and I tell him not to and grab his beak again etc.

Should I go back to my original method? I was going to teach the parrot not to bite by process of extinction. If a behaviour isn't reinforced it should dissapear, right? Sounds quite easy? Well it's not. It's pretty hard to not reinforce him by any means when he's biting my finger and it's even harder to tell that to everyone who handles the bird daily. I'm in a dead end here, please help.

[The Outlaw]

All birds are individuals and require customized corrections. Your vet gave you good information for MANY birds. However, what you may find works a little better is to have a small stuff toy handy. When he goes to bite, simply deflect the bite with the toy and tell him "no". If he repeats the behavior, put him on a playstand away from the sight of his cage and ignore him for 10 minutes. Turn your back to him and absolutely refuse to acknowledge him no matter how much he tries to interact.

Make him step up and try again. Reward his good behaviour by lavishing him with praise. If he bites again, put him in his cage for 20 minutes.

Most birds don't like to be ignored. They love being the center of attention. Since I don't have any of these problems with my 2 greys, I guess I'm lucky or I've just instinctively done the right things along the way. Greys are wonderful animals but they can be complicated.

[paultheparrotlover]

Originally Posted by JJin

My CAG has started biting, he's four-months-old. Well he doesn't actually bite me but my brother when they're alone and when I go near to try to stop the biting he also bites me. I know what it means that young parrots like to 'test' the 'perch' if it's stable or not before stepping up and he does that, it's not biting and I'm fine with that, but what he does to my brother it really hurts.

When the CAG is gently testing the perch before stepping up I usually say nothing to him but when he bites me or my brother something has to be done differently. The Vet gave me advice to teach the parrot the meaning of 'NO' and 'No biting' by grabbing the parrots beak for a few seconds when he bites. First time I heard that I was suspicious because everything I had read before that told me to teach not to bite in a very different way. Anyways I took the vets word from it and tried her methods, afterall she had a CAG for over 15 years. I haven't had much of success yet though. Grabbing the parrots beak seems to increase his will to bite again. He probably thinks it's a game where I grab his beak and he bites me and I tell him not to and grab his beak again etc.

Should I go back to my original method? I was going to teach the parrot not to bite by process of extinction. If a behaviour isn't reinforced it should dissapear, right? Sounds quite easy? Well it's not. It's pretty hard to not reinforce him by any means when he's biting my finger and it's even harder to tell that to everyone who handles the bird daily. I'm in a dead end here, please help.

My timneh can get nippy (havent brought him home yet- only speaking from visiting experience) He will get nippy when he's tired, bored, or when someone new shows up. Like displacement biting. I would suggest ignoring the bite as best you can and stuffing a toy or birdy bagel in his mouth immediately. Try to distract him.

[FairLight]

I almost always use distraction with Abbie, my CAG.
I approach her with a treat or toy, or other object of interest.
She is still a baby at 19 months, and I honestly feel she is not mature enough to learn to control her impulses.

When she does purposely bite, she goes to her cage immediatly for time out.
She usually only "attacks" when she is over stimulated or overly tired, just like a toddler! :o)

It's of no use to try and teach a bird at this age. If I tried to grab Abbie's beak she would see it as aggression and respond likewise. Lots of love, affection and patients will eventually bring results for a healthy well adjusted
birdy companion.

Best to you and your little one!

Linda In CA