Hi all,

I'm new to the forums, actually just found it today. My name is Kris and I'm from Brooklyn NY.

A little background on "Chubby". He's about 4 years and 3 months old. I bought him from a mom and pop pet store right after he/she was weened. Chubby was just learning to sit on a perch when I got him/her. He get's along very well with me and my father. My father changes his food/water/paper and plays with him just like I do.

The problem is becoming that Chubby is beginning to attack guests. First it was my girlfriends sister, then my best friend, and now finally my girlfriend. By attack I mean he climbs down his cage onto the floor and chases people around, attempting to bite them. Also if i hold him and i get to close to anyone but my father he bites me. I can take a bite at this point, because I've become accustomed to it over the years.

I want to help him/her become better with people, because everyone has dubbed Chubby "evil bird". Where do I start? What should I do to help Chubby become a more "polite" bird? My girlfriend has agreed to help me with the process, since she's one of the people he really doesn't like.

Thanks,
Kris

One thing that we've found that works quite well is a technique we call the rescue technique. What that consists of is for you and your girlfriend to work with Chubby, What needs to happen is for you to take Chubby into an unfamiliar room such as the bathroom (make sure that what ever room you choose to use is made bird proof and safe) You take him into the room and put him on the floor and leave him there with the door closed. Then you wait for a few minutes 3-5 minutes, he'll probably start calling and when he does, your girlfriend needs to go rescue him. Ask him to step up and make a big deal out of it when he does. Then she should stay in that room with just the bird for a few minutes working with him on step up and possibly giving him his favorite treat. It may take several times of this for Chubby to realize that your girlfriend is ok.

Also your girlfriend needs to show no fear, take the bite and push into it so that it doesn't hurt her so much and that it shows the bird that she is not afraid of him, It also pushes the bird off balance enough that he has to think about keeping his balance as opposed to biting.

The more people you have handle the bird the better off he'll be,

Good luck.

this does work try it.

Used this method with mine several times, also the advice for pushing in with the bite is a great tip. My Simie still seems to think my husband is just great for biting, I tried to tell him not to react with such loud ouches but he didn't listen, now Simie thinks its great fun to make him holler!

Thank you very much Andie's Mom! I'll be sure to give that a try or two. I'll be trying until something works, because I know Chubby can be nice. It's just that no one gets to see the nice side of him but me and my dad.

I'll be sure to update this with how things go.

Are there any other things that I could try? Also could she use a perch instead of her finger, or is her finger more effective in gaining his trust?

-Kris

In my opinion, using your hand rather than a dowel is probably the best, When she rescues him the chances of him biting are pretty slim. After all he wants to be saved, if he's being mean, who's gonna want to rescue him...

Instruct her that when he does bite, if she shows any emotion its just adding fuel to the fire. Birds thrive on drama and they'll continue to do anything it takes to get a rise out of someone so if she squeals or yells or cries that's drama. Quakers can be bullies as you know so you have to show no fear. Also instruct her to keep him below chin level and not allow him on her shoulder even if he is being nice, He needs to learn that he is low bird on the totem pole to any human.