new cag owner...please help

[GlendaNS]

Also, you can wrap a towel around your arm and fingers, have him step up on that. With our CAG, that is how I started out. That big ol beak can be intimidating for sure!

[littlebirdnewbie]

Wow, you guys are great!
We had a pretty good night last night.
I went to the pet store to find a perch that wouldn't be too imposing that looked similar to the perches he had in his cage. I showed it to him while the cage was closed but, he was afraid of it. So I just held it there for a minute or so to see if he would check it out...not so much. So, I opened to door and held the perch near the door to see if that might motivate him but it didn't work either. The lady we got him from said it takes him a while to get used to a new toy or perch so I slowly put it on top of his cage so he could check it out if he wanted to but, it wouldn't be near anything he needed.
Baby steps...
We had dinner together...I sat next to his cage while we both ate. Then I opened his cage and he came right out. He wouldn't go back in so I put a treat in his bowl and it worked!
He seemed pretty calm the whole night...even started preening while I was talking to him at one point. And without the pressure of having to get him to step up on my hand in order to care for him, I was much more calm and was able to enjoy him more too.
I'm so glad I found this website!!
Thanks so much for all your tips...it's helping me and Pippin a great deal

[littlebirdnewbie]

Oh, I tried the towel thing...poor thing freaked out and fell to the bottom of his cage... I felt SO terrible!

[Sashagirl]

I am owned by 3 Greys 1 CAG and 2 TAG they are very nervous birds.Try letting Pippin come out on his own.I know it's hard but try not to show any fear.Animals in general can sense fear.Make sure you give him lots of treats and move slowly when approaching him.This really works.For me the towel thing doesn't work at all my birds attack the towel.I am owned by 18 now all different sizes.Some were rehomed some purchased and most have issues.Get
some good books and read up on parrot training.Try doing a google search.
Hopefully you will get over your fear of him biting you.Just be patient and keep doing what your doing.Remember no chocolate,avacado,no salt,no sugar,caffiene among other things.

BTW Welcome to the Birdboard

[Oscars Mom]

One thing id suggest since your worried about getting bitten is to let him sit on your leg,clothed of course and talk to him and give him a treat.Work with him for 15-20 min intervales at first then maybe put him on a playgymfor indepandant play for a while .Try to be as confident as you can and the bird will feel calm and secure. Schedules are supposedly reall inportant for greys so as you start working with him youll be figuring that out too.I find especially in the morning a set routine is the way to go . I get the birds up ,put them on a playstand w/food ,clean their cage and talk to them in my room while I get readyin 25 min their back in the cage!!!with more food and millet.Then they know what to expect everydayget attention etcbut im not late or frazzled in the am . Congragulations your going to be great friends sooner than you think.

[raddaughter]

When we first got Harley, my B&G, I was terrified of her beak. It was huge! I had an eclectus before and he was smaller and when he bit, it almost always bled. I was scared I was going to have my finger bitten off by her! But, I came up with a little trick I guess you can call it about how to push through your fears.

Sit and talk to the bird for several minutes. Tell him how beautiful he is and how you love him so. Say that you love him dearly and you would never want anything to happen to him. Then, go on about how you want to love him more, but can't because you can't hold him. Ask like you would ask a two year old, "Can I please hold you, pretty please? I promise I won't hurt you. I really do love you and want you to love me". Now, open up the door and ask if he want to come out. When he reaches the door, say "Step up". Be relaxed. Birds can sense your energy and will be more likely to bite if you are up-tight. Take slow, deep breaths. Now, go and try to get him to step up. If he bites, don't pull back, keep pushing forward. Once he is on your hand, give praise! Lots and lots of prasie! You may also want to give him some treats of fruits and veggies.

I would do this when the house is quiet and when your husband isn't home. Make sure that you give lots of praise and treats (fruits and veggies) when your bird steps up or is out.They will associate this with "Oh, if I step up and come out, she will give me a treat". I did this with my grandmother's agressive PF lovebird. He is improving and after trying it a few times that day, I was able to get him to step up. Birds are very smart, just take it slow.

I would also consider improving his diet. Lots of fruits and veggies daily, perhaps putting him on pellets instead of seeds. Rotate and get new toys regularly to prevent boredom. Give as much out time as you can. If affordable, I would buy a play stand so that he can move around the house with you. More than likey, this bird's main caretaker was a man for a long time and he never had a lot of socialization with women or something like that. He could also be a she and gravitate torwards men.

[Pepper's Pa]

It's hard to do when you're first interacting with a new bird, but confidence in your actions inspires confidence and often success in the behaviors of your new bird. Right now, allowing Pippin to get to know you, by being near his cage and calmly, in a non-aggressive manner, interacting with him is great. Try reading to him from a book or magazines with colorful pictures. Be enthusiastic with your reading and show Pippin the colorful images. He may be ready to sit in your lap in no time. When I do this with my Senegal Parrot, his eyes are pinpointing (the pupil is quickly expanding and shrinking) which shows his interest and enthusiasm for the story and pictures.
When it comes to that first attempt to get him to step-up onto your hand is when you need your confidence. Be friendly, tell him what you are going to do and while maintaining eye contact with him, move your hand from below and in front of him to the area right where his legs meet his body. Apply a firm, but gentle pressure into his body and say "Step-up" in a clear, authoritative tone. You may instantly find him perched on your hand and this is the time to give him lots of praise.
Now, might you receive a bite . . . "yes". Don’t mistake Pippin gripping on to you with his beak to make sure you’re “sturdy” and safe for him as a bite. It it’s a bite, it may simply be a light pinch, a stronger pinch that causes a sore finger for a little while, or you may actually get cut and bleed a little. You will still have all your fingers, you won't be missing a large piece of you (don’t think shark bite), and often the worst bites are solved with a little pressure and a Band Aid. The reality of owning and interacting with our birds is that in all likelihood, you're going to receive bites from time to time. As you get more experience, you'll learn to read your Grey's body language and be able to avoid most bites.
In the event that you are bitten, don’t make a big scene of it. That may actually reinforce in Pippin that biting is a rewarding action. Be calm and do what is opposite of our nature. If your Grey holds his bite on you, then gently, but firmly push your bitten hand or finger into the bite from Pippin. He will most likely quickly let go and your hand may be moved away. You don’t want to hurt your Grey with this action, but most parrots quickly release their bite when you do this movement. If you want to see a bite (really three bites) I received from Pepper, click on the following and scroll to the bottom of the page. Click here to see Pepper’s bite.
I’ve interacted with many Greys, both Congo’s and Timneh’s and haven’t received a painful bite from any of them. When you’re ready, be comfortable and confident and you may open up your world to an even more amazing relationship with your Grey.
Good luck.

[Machelle]

You have been given some great advice. I was also goung to say to try not to be nervous around him. They can definitely pick up your feelings so its very important to remain calm. Dont rush things. It sounds like you are doing great!! Keep up the good work.