Well, I must be reinforcing her biting or something because she's doing it more and more. I'm lost and I don't know what to do. Today when I got home from work, I went to her cage and talked to her for a minute, opened her cage (she was hanging from the top) and I said "come on, wanna come out?" she climbed down and bit me on the finger in the same place she did a few days ago...man it hurts. I just shut the door and walked out. I'm trying not to react but it's hard. She seems to enjoy biting...like she thinks it's funny. I'm getting to the point where I'm jumpy around her...when I put my hand up to her and she moves, I kinda jump. The other night, she flew from her perch in the living room. I put my hand up so she could land on it...that's what I usually do and she 99% of the time will land on me...anyway, she hovered over my hand and bit it...no feet on my hand or anything...the look on my husbands face was the look of horror...he said "the only reason she flew over there was to bite you, I could tell by the way she did it"...I guess at this point, I'm asking what to do after a bite to discourage her from doing it. Sometimes I want to just knock her off her perch or something (not really, but kinda)...I've heard of people spraying them with a squirt bottle...what are your thoughts on that? This is becoming a daily thing and I really need to do something about it. She has her 6 month well visit the first week in June so I'll be talking to the vet about a behaviorist...although the thought of someone coming to my house is kinda...YUK

So, any thoughts?

Thanks,
Heather

Ouch, I'm sorry Heather. I know this is really tough to go through. At her age, this really is probably just a stage, and you can work her through it. I have a couple of thoughts based on what you've said. Please bear in mind there are others here more experienced than me, and hopefully they'll weigh in as well.

First off, you mentioned coming home from work and going to get her out of the cage. You might want to wait a while longer before doing that. She's going to be wound up when you (or anyone for that matter) comes in. When I come home, I say hello to my guys, but I don't really go near them until I've changed clothes, and maybe even had a bite to eat. Walking in the door and walking up on Chico would result in getting nailed every time, he just gets too excited.

I think you know this because you mentioned trying not to react, but yes, its really important. Getting jumpy is perfectly understandable, but she undoubtedly does enjoy getting that reaction. On the other hand, there's no need to set yourself up to get chawed on while stoically not reacting. I would suggest that at this point, she shouldn't be trusted with your fingers. Perhaps going back to basics and working with a hand-held perch?

Its a bit more difficult with her being flighted, but I'm not suggesting you clip her at this point, either. If she flies to you, offer her a perch to land on, or maybe your arm (suitably protected with a towel wrapped around under your shirtsleeve maybe), but not your hand. Any attempt to bite should be met with an instant firm "no", and immediately turn away from her and walk away. She wants attention, and I think she'll quickly learn that this is a bad way to try to get it.

That's about all I can think of for now, Heather. Hang in there, like I said I know this is tough and discouraging. If it continues for very long, I wouldn't hesitate to call in a behaviorist either.

Not getting her right away sounds like a great idea. Maybe I'll feed her her dinner right when I get home, let her eat, then go get her. I did try using a towel but she's afraid of them so she wouldn't come to me. Something I forgot to write is when this first started, I reacted by saying "ow!" (ya know half of "ouch")...then SHE started saying it after SHE bit ME!! She will also say "don't bite" after she bites...and some other things I've said about biting. Talk about rubbing it in! LOL. Thank you for the advice, I will definately use it!

Heather

Heather, how old is Harrison? I feel your pain and I know how upsetting it is when they get in these moods. I certainly understand that this is a behavior you would like to extinguish before it becomes more of a habit than what it is.

I was having problems with Kady biting me when I went to get him out of his cage. I taught him to go to a specific perch if he wants to come out. The way the perch is located and the way he gets on it, when I reach in to bring him out I am actually going from behind to have him step onto my arm. This has stopped all biting. I immediately treat his good behavior.

If he doesn't want to go to his perch when asked, I take this as a signal that he does not want to come out, and I ask again later.

I also started randomly rewarding good behavior and this has helped tremendously. He is so busy waiting and looking for his treat, it has extinguished all his 'cute' biting habits for over 3 weeks now.

Sally Blanchard has a small article about biting at:

LINK: Aggression and Biting

Also she recommends her book, "The Beak Book." I've never read it but I have read good reviews about it.

I would recommend getting some of Barbara Heidenreich's books and she also does phone consults which are very helpful. Last time I did one with her it was $40.00 an hour and well worth every penny!

LINK: Barbara Heidenreich's site

Here's a few links that may give you some suggestions;

LINK: http://www.parrots.org/pdfs/all_abou...Guidelines.pdf

The

The Good Bird! book describes some typical problem behaviors like biting & screaming. It then offers a step-by-step explanation of how to address these problems using training techniques based on positive reinforcement.

LINK: Good Bird Inc - Books & DVD's

BITING PARROTS
Why They Do It and How To Control It
Liz Wilson
Parrot Behavior Consultant

LINK: BITING PARROTS Why They Do It and How To Control It

Edited to add: I don't agree with the laddering exercise that Liz Wilson recommends but 'the look' works wonders.

Karen, thanks so much! Harrison is 2 years old. I'll check out the links. I do have one of her books called "Good Bird"...I really didn't find the biting part very helpful but maybe her other books will be better.

By the way, I just tried to use a glove with her and she FLIPPED out!! I don't think I'll be able to do that. But, oh well. Thanks anyway, she's being a sweetie right now.

Heather as an alternative to a glove I would suggest you take 2 ace bandages and tightly wrap your forearm. Put a long sleeve shirt over this so she cannot see the wrapping and then offer your forearm for her to step on.

I used this method for quite a while when I first got Kady. It gave me the confidence I needed to approach him and ask for a step up knowing that if he did bite me, it wouldn't hurt.

I routinely don't offer my hand for a step-up, I only offer my forearm.

Good advice Nate and so true. It's almost like they need time to remember who you are, get used to what clothing you're wearing, etc. I also give them time. I go in and sit down, talk to them, get some treats, but basically give them time to adjust to my presence.

Harrison, Harrison! No bite!!!! Ruby tried that and each time I just held her lower. Now she knows that if she kisses she gets to go up high and when she bites she goes low. She really hates low. If she would bite hard enough she was put on the ground. She would have to give a kiss to be picked up to knee height, and then kiss to go to my waist, then kiss, etc. It worked for us. Stinky birds! Good luck! Ruby says "Harrison, don't bite!, Kiss kiss!"

Jessalyn,

How long do you leave her on the floor before you have her give you a kiss? Do you have her kiss your hand? Face?

All have given good advice, is there any trick you can ask of her? It seems that the biting has reached entertainment value. Saying "no bite" and "ow" shows she understands the concept, and this is a clearly thought out premeditated action.