Baby CAG with bad attitude

[sootykitty]

My baby is 8 mos old and very smart. He began talking at 4 months old. He has quite a large vocabulary for his age. But, lately, he has picked up this incredibly loud scream that is enough to shatter glass! I've tried to ignore it and I've tried telling him no Neither work. I have tried to talk softly to him and whisper to him "shhh quiet" which he now repeats back to me. But it hasn't stopped him from the screaming. I even have to admit that I yelled at him once or twice to get his attention. Of course, that hasn't worked, and I should know better. Does anyone have any good suggestions for me. I'd really like to get this thing under control before he drives me insane! I am at the end of my rope and have tried everything that I know and all the "expert" suggestions, but I am not getting anywhere. Please, please if anyone has some advice - we are open to hearing what has worked for you. I am praying for some kind of miracle! Also, he has developed somewhat of an attitude. He doesn't like to cooperate much anymore and even nips a bit, which he has never done before. I don't know if this stuff is all related, but I just thought I'd throw that out there too. I am home all day with him and my other two birds, so it isn't like he is asking for attention. I couldn't possibly give him any more than that. The only time he's caged is for sleeping and for a couple hours in the afternoon so I can get some errands run. I hope this information helps all of you to help us. Thanks in advance.

[thejoie]

my Hahn's macaw is 8 months old too. She just started giving nips too... I call it her "teenaged-phase". I'm not sure how to over-come it. I really think it's just her trying to out step her boundaries.

I wish I had more advice for you.. just wanted you to know you're not alone!

[LoveMyBeak]

Heh Heh, a CAG with attitude! Welcome to CAG parronting, from what I have seen in Grays is that they usually find some sort of sound that will get you pissed off and until they find that sound they will try all kinds of different sounds, and when that one sound comes out right (you know the one, the one that makes you crawl out of your skin) then it is locked in forever.
If you show reaction to that particular sound then the bird knows right away that it is an attention getter so he programs it into his memory.

CJ our CAG has what we call "the crazy monkey" sound, I have never heard anything like it, if I can ever get a chance to record it I will post it, but don't hate me after you hear it. We just totally ignore the sound when he does it, so now he barely does it, but as for forgetting the sound? well.....once they learn a sound, it is there for life, sorry to say, I have never seen a Gray forget a sound, but thats my opinion, I am sure there is folks that swear that you can unteach a bird to say certain things, and maybe they are right, I hope in your case that they are.

I know it's hard but try ignoring them when they make that sound and reward them for good sounds......... LMB

[Dustyfeathersandthreads]

Have you tried teaching him a contact whistle or call. I also have a Congo right now and have had a total of 6 in my adult life. I've learned to teach them a quick, simple little "yoo hoo" type whistle. It doesn't take long for them to get it and then I answer them EVERY time they whistle it to me. When they start screaming or doing something I don't like I just whistle this little call and it brings them back to a softer voice and they answer me. If they start screaming again I whistle it again. I do this until they move on to other things.

Julie

[Tom Lawless]

I have heard that these guys can pull back and become more independent at about 18 months (For the Love of Greys, by Bobbi Brinker) but that would be about ten months early for your guy. Of course maybe he's mature for his age!

[KimM]

I don't have a Gray, but I can tell you when my Newton went through his "terrible twos' there were days when I wanted to ring his little neck.

Sounds like you have a really smart baby there. Have you tried "time outs"? I know each bird has their own little personality, but I can tell you what is affective for me.

When Newt screams, I walk over to his house or play gym and say something like. "That's not nice. If you scream again, I'm leaving the room." (Calm but firm voice). If he screams, I leave the room and close the door to the room I'm in. I usually get one last rebellious scream and in less than 10 minutes, he calms down.

I also reward him. If he stops screaming when I ask and begins to talk or sing or play, then I reward him with "GOOOD BOOOY! I sometimes even give him hugs and kisses.

They are so smart, they know the difference. Just make sure you are consistent with reward and discipline, so he gets a clear understanding of what you want (or don't want).

IMHO, We as humans sometimes get impatient because a certain "method" doesn't work right away so we change our tactics, and I think we confuse them somtimes when we do this.

[Tombstone]

What I have found that helps the most is to work on repeating a new word to the bird when he gets stuck on the one you can't stand! It is a way to redirect his attention to a new, hopefully more interesting word. Either do that, or I would suggest totally ignoring him when he makes the undesired sound, including turning your back on him to really show you are ashamed of the sound. LOL Believe me, strong body language can always get your point across to a CAG! Good Luck!