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Post by liz on Sept 17, 2014 10:37:12 GMT -5
So my boyfriend has an 8 year old quaker. He has a wonderful bond with him and while I know I will never have that sort of bond, it's seems that the more time I spend alone with the bird, the more it hates me. It screeches and growls at me even when I am out of the room, and no amount of trying to calm him works. My boyfriend says to just put a Towel on his cage when he is freaking out but he freaks so often that i don't want him to look at me and freak out preemptively because he expects the towel. I try to talk to him and soothe him but I am getting discouraged. Any advice?
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Post by easttex on Sept 17, 2014 17:10:26 GMT -5
You don't say how long it has been, but parrots can be very slow to accept new things, including people. Toweling is not the solution for developing a relationship in the long run. You don't want to be associated with that. Just take it slow. For now, try sitting in the same room with him, but at a distance, or even in the doorway, and ignore him. Read or do some other quiet activity. You may have to pretend to read, if he is putting up a fuss, but don't respond to it. Once he quiets down, your boyfriend should give him a reward. Next time, move a little closer, and repeat. The idea is that eventually you will be the one giving the rewards. Hard as it can be, you have to ignore the behavior you don't want and reward what you do want.
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Post by harryholic on Oct 12, 2014 11:53:24 GMT -5
I bought Chico originally for my GF, and although she was raised with us both, fed, played with us both, happy and comfortable with us both and despite the GF spending more time at home with her, Chico preferred me. If Annes ever tried to kiss me, Chico would launch at her face, a couple of times getting hold of her lip and drawing blood - well away from the playful or steadying use of the beak we were used to. We tried various things, but getting rid of Annes resolved the problem, and Chico is now fine  Interestingly she didn't launch at anyone else regardless of any attention or contact they paid to me. |
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Post by msdani1981 on Oct 12, 2014 13:27:45 GMT -5
Well, I certainly hope you didn't break things off just because Chico didn't like her! Chewy is the same way as Chico. When he was a baby I could handle him and play with him, but not now. He likes my company and will talk to me but I can't touch him. We just ignore the behavior and carry on as usual. I talk to him a lot during the day, and when Zach is home he gets to come out. |
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Post by Jan and Shah on Oct 12, 2014 15:13:39 GMT -5
I dont know if this will apply to your problem, but one thing I have learnt working with horses is to watch your energy levels - if you keep the level low, the horse quietens down. Walk into that room with confidence, ignore the quaker - make no eye contact, sit down and read, sing quietly, whatever you want to do that is passive and non-threatening. Unfortunately quakers are like this and no-one can guarantee the outcome. Just realise that it will take time for the quaker to adjust to you - or not. Good luck and let us know how you are getting on.
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