|
|
Post by penelope on Dec 1, 2015 15:26:36 GMT -5
Hello, got my 3 month old beautiful Quaker on Sunday. No idea about sex, the breeder said more likely to be a male. I think I've got a cuddler. I think he doesnt even know how to bite. He lets me hold him without tantrum, loves a head scratch, spends hours tucked inside my duvet, Today he even sitting on my shoulder and giving me kisses. I am over the moon with the progress but all on his terms. I am so useless on giving him a treat (he likes pumpkin seeds) . We both suck in holding a treat and him taking it and cracking it. We both drop it countless time and both get frustrated Lol! I am a mother of 7 budgies, so giving them millet and taming was never an issue! I do not know how to make him follow commands and associate reward with a treat. Or shall I just enjoy his baby phase and cuddle and think about training once he is totally used to tucking in my skin. Thanks so much.
|
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on Dec 1, 2015 21:12:27 GMT -5
Welcome!  It sounds like you're off to a great start. But don't be surprised if, as your new QP becomes more thoroughly settled in with you, he starts being more assertive. It's normal for a parrot to eventually "test the boundaries," but that doesn't mean that your parrot will stop cuddling with you. Your new baby may be one of those affectionate parrots who love to cuddle (by contrast, my QP Ralph thinks cuddling is beneath his dignity  ). You can begin working on training whenever you're ready, but you may benefit from giving your QP more time to settle in and get comfortable. Even though things are going so smoothly, it's still early in your relationship, and it takes time to earn a parrot's trust and confidence. |
|
|
|
Post by biteybird on Dec 2, 2015 1:28:59 GMT -5
Welcome from us, too! As Gary said, don't be surprised if he changes a bit as he gets older, but I would definitely enjoy the baby phase, particularly the 'quaking'/bobbing head thing (sometimes I miss seeing that now that Bonnie is an adult). Just be prepared for several changes as time goes on - Bonnie still keeps us guessing! |
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Dec 2, 2015 5:50:41 GMT -5
Welcome! A good rule of thumb for training is to ignore the bad and reward the good. That's actually a good rule of thumb for all the time, and not just during a training session. Giving him some settling in time is good advice, but he is not too young for training. I would start before too long, as he will probably never be as willing as he is now, and you can set a good foundation. When you think you're both ready to start, consider using the pumpkin seeds as training rewards only, and don't give them at any other time. To be useful they need to be shelled and broken up into small pieces. You can look for pepitas, which are pumpkin seeds that have been shelled and sometimes roasted. Just make sure they aren't salted. You can take a look on YouTube for Barbara Heidenreich's videos to give you a good idea of how to link the reward to the desired behavior. I have a twenty-something Quaker who is a major cuddler, and you might have one of those, too. |
|
|
|
Post by penelope on Dec 2, 2015 11:55:00 GMT -5
Thanks so much, I have 7 budgies too, I am aware of the danger therefore I still didnt and probably wouldnt allow playtime together, but all his attention is towards the budgie cage he would go and sit on it for hours. I think that can be a major distraction. He refuses to leave his cage but seem to enjoy his time out of the cage, I hate to grab him and get him out of the cage but there is no other way out may be I should stop doing it. He does step up at his own terms though. I love him already <3
|
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Dec 2, 2015 13:29:48 GMT -5
Greetings and welcome!! Congrats on your new little one. Our QP, Cupcake, is a pretty cuddly quaker as well. She's almost 5. I don't have much advice about when to start training, as we got her when she was already 9 months and had already been taught the step-up command.
At any rate, I would agree with the others about enjoying the baby phase -- it can disappear quite suddenly!
|
|
|
|
Post by julianna on Dec 3, 2015 13:43:11 GMT -5
Hello and welcome. When you want your QP to come out, I would suggest first leaving the door open and backing away. Give him a branch or perch to come out on. One on the door would be excellent. Does your QP have a name yet? It might take a few times before he feels safe enough to explore on his own... but he will. Patience is the virtue with these guys. They do everything on their own time.
You should teach him to "step up" on command. There are a few posts on this site to advise you on how to teach that. My QP loves to come out so I don't have to ask him at all. In the morning he is already clinging to the door waiting for me to get him out.
|
|
|
|
Post by bruce on Dec 3, 2015 18:24:42 GMT -5
Hello and welcome from my QP Chuckie and me. I hope your little one stays affectionate. As others have said, enjoy this time of him? learning and growing.
|
|
It sounds like you're off to a great start. But don't be surprised if, as your new QP becomes more thoroughly settled in with you, he starts being more assertive. It's normal for a parrot to eventually "test the boundaries," but that doesn't mean that your parrot will stop cuddling with you. Your new baby may be one of those affectionate parrots who love to cuddle (by contrast, my QP Ralph thinks cuddling is beneath his dignity 
). You can begin working on training whenever you're ready, but you may benefit from giving your QP more time to settle in and get comfortable. Even though things are going so smoothly, it's still early in your relationship, and it takes time to earn a parrot's trust and confidence. 
