Need Advice

[FirstTimeBirdie]

Okay. I'm going to try to make it short. As most of you know, I just moved from NY to FL and I actually picked Sebastian up from the breeder in NJ on my way down. So we took a long trip with 6 dogs, right from day one and I was a little worried about how he was going to react. But he did beautifully and was still just as sweet as the breeder said.

Now, here comes where we start having problems. My 2 nieces came down with me and between the move, the girls, my backup of work and yada yada, I didn't have as much time to spend with him as I would like to. I do still feed him directly from my hand, talk to him a bunch and go to pet him as often as possible and for a few days I was taking him out every day. But this past week has been a little more hectic and a little harder, so it came to where he was still being fed and talked to and held for a few minutes, but not nearly enough. Now, he's getting a little bit "weird" is the only way I can put it. He doesn't want to be picked up (which before you couldn't get him to stay off your hand once you stuck it in the cage). And he has this thing where he likes to immediately put your fingers in his mouth, but a few times recently he pushed down quite hard.

I give him water through a dropper because it's the only way he will drink it, but when he's had his fill he kind of acts like he's lunging at it. He's not being "aggressive" at all, per se, but I can see, he's getting a little funny. I can't help but feel this is due to my neglecting the extra time with him.

The girls finally went home yesterday and I still have a bit of work to catch up on, but please give me some advice. I'm going to set up his playstand and make sure he starts getting out for a couple hours a day and I'll going to try to spend more quality time with him, do you think this will be enough? Is this how cage aggression starts?

[loyallyroyal]

The lunge thing with the dropper is to let you know he has had enough. Dewey used to do that with the spoon when I fed him.
To get Dewey drinking out of a bowl I would put half a grape in, he wanted the grape, then he realized there was water in the bowl and now he drinks fine.

And he has this thing where he likes to immediately put your fingers in his mouth, but a few times recently he pushed down quite hard.

If he doesnt want to come out just close the door and come back a little later. He may be a little stressed out.

Does he have a seperate sleepy cage? I know Dewey is only cage aggressive over the sleepy cage and not his play cage so I dont have any advice if he sleeps in his.

How is he with playing with toys or foraging? Once the playstand is up he will have somewhere besides the cage to sit on. So that may help also.

[failurebydesign]

I have also heard they get "weird" for a week or so shortly after you bring them home and that it passes.

[FirstTimeBirdie]

Well, good sign. I took him out of his cage and brought him into his designated "room" albeit it's not set up yet, but I have a few things in there for him. So I sat in the chair holding him and soothed under his feathers, like I was preening him and he just sat there and then I even went up under his neck feathers and he started to fall asleep. So I think I just need to spend some time with him.

[LovelySydney]

Im sure the move had something to do with his mood. He was in a long car ride, and now there are 6 dogs, LOL! & a new mommy! He probably just needed time to settle in and get used to his new surroundings. Once he realizes how spoiled he's going to be I know he will be fine!! = )

[FirstTimeBirdie]

Oh, he's doing so much better now. Now, he runs over to me when I go to open the cage. But as soon as I take him and walk away from the cage he wants to fly back to the cage. He wants to be with me, but on my hand while it's inside the cage. I think I have to start separating him from his cage a bit more, where it's out of sight completely.