5 Month Old B&G Biting/Nippy

[dookiesmom]

Hi all, I know this topic has been covered, but here is my specific information. We have a 5 1/2 month old B&G that we've had for just about a month, so yes there is still the learning curve for both of us. Our problem is that she is great coming out of her cage, we have a perch on her door & when it's time to come out we taught her to come to that perch, let her out, she climbs on top of her door & flaps away then steps right up to go to her play stand or in the kitchen while I put her breakfast together. This is the good part. Now when it's time to leave the kitchen or playstand (unless she's been out a long time), when we ask her to step up she gets very nippy, pinching, biting, & usually not light nips, I have quite a few bruises up my arm. She'll put one foot on your arm then reach down & bite. We're trying to use the right training techniques, & tell her no, try to hold a treat she likes and give it to her when she steps up, and praiser her when she does, if she keeps biting we'll take the treat & walk away for a minute & then come back, until eventually she'll step up, usually w/a slight bite, but then the next time it's back to the same thing. Any suggestions, or is this just temporary as she is still young? I know the main thing is that she wants to stay out and play, once she does step up, she goes back to her cage (now) w/out a problem knowing there's lots of goodies inside. Other than that she is great, loves playing on the bottom of her cage & rolling around, tearing up the newspaper.

[Lori~D]

When I had this same "testing" thing with my Too I started using the stick perch for those times she would bite (going home from the stand,like yours) then I began using my Kevlar bite sleeve (for dogs) hidden under my sleeve. With that protection it gave me the confidence needed to 'INSIST" on a proper step up and ignore the bite. Eventually she gave up and doesnt even try anymore. I've heard Macaw ppl talk of wrapping the arm in an ace bandage or a towel for the same effect. I feel it needs to be hidden as I believe they may know when or when its not there. Just my expirience with the same situation.
Oh and I do not give the treat until we are safely in the cage and on the perch.

Oh she is TESTING you and persistance and Patience should make it better.

[KimM]

Originally Posted by dookiesmom

Hi all, I know this topic has been covered, but here is my specific information. We have a 5 1/2 month old B&G that we've had for just about a month, so yes there is still the learning curve for both of us. Our problem is that she is great coming out of her cage, we have a perch on her door & when it's time to come out we taught her to come to that perch, let her out, she climbs on top of her door & flaps away then steps right up to go to her play stand or in the kitchen while I put her breakfast together. This is the good part. Now when it's time to leave the kitchen or playstand (unless she's been out a long time), when we ask her to step up she gets very nippy, pinching, biting, & usually not light nips, I have quite a few bruises up my arm. She'll put one foot on your arm then reach down & bite. We're trying to use the right training techniques, & tell her no, try to hold a treat she likes and give it to her when she steps up, and praiser her when she does, if she keeps biting we'll take the treat & walk away for a minute & then come back, until eventually she'll step up, usually w/a slight bite, but then the next time it's back to the same thing. Any suggestions, or is this just temporary as she is still young? I know the main thing is that she wants to stay out and play, once she does step up, she goes back to her cage (now) w/out a problem knowing there's lots of goodies inside. Other than that she is great, loves playing on the bottom of her cage & rolling around, tearing up the newspaper.

I had similar issues with my Harlequin. If you want, go and read the thread I posted title Expert Advise on biting and toys in this sectionl. I got tons of great advice on biting, etc. Hope it helps you as much as it did for me and my boy

[JoT]

I had the pleasure of seeing the "bird whisperer" last weekend (great demo btw-I can't wait to see again). He said never open the door and let your bird climb out. He said always reach in the cage and take the bird out. You need to be the one in charge. Right now she is. She wants to go to the kitchen,but not back to the cage. The other thing he said was to teach them to step onto your hand and not your arm.You have more control that way. You can hold their feet if needed. Hope this will help.