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Post by cnyguy on Sept 13, 2024 19:15:30 GMT -5
Maybe Willow is like George the YCA, who liked loud voices and especially loud laughter. Ralph really prefers things quieter.
Good luck with the next attempt with the harness.
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Post by Caseysmom on Sept 13, 2024 21:33:57 GMT -5
Casey loves listening to animated conversations, after people go home he spends about a half hour repeating everything he heard. He really likes playful children screeches and laughter. He was never a fan of a harness though Good luck
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Post by heatherg on Sept 14, 2024 0:05:14 GMT -5
We tried the harness again today, rewarded Willow with a bit of donut but he wouldn’t eat it for a while. I had to cuddle him before he felt secure and relaxed and ate. We sat outside and had donut and coffee, and then Willow cuddled with my face some more. Got some pics of Willow looking good in his new outfit while sitting in the sun.
We returned indoors to my apartment and Willow got some cuddles and head rubs. He relaxed more while on familiar turf (still wearing the harness).. I took the lead off and just let him chill out on my hand and on his basket. Fed him treats and he fluffed out and wagged his tail. He was perfectly fine as long as I let him cuddle into my hand. After a few hours of being out with me in my apartment, Willow was doing really well, very calm. I was able to remove the harness pretty easily and think maybe I’ve figured out how best to get it on and off.
I talked loudly to Willow and he began to make noises back. I guess I just need to be loud with him. Otherwise he sits quietly and preens. It would be nice if he could talk a little, like ask for out or cuddles or drink. He’s still got some feathers to regrow but he is trying little flights. Maybe this will give him some confidence? I hope so!
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Post by cnyguy on Sept 14, 2024 19:26:37 GMT -5
You seem to be off to a good start with the harness. Hope it will work for you and Willow. I'm pretty sure that Ralph wouldn't want anything to do with one.
Just keep working on getting Willow to say what you want him to and eventually you could be rewarded. It takes lots of time and repetition. A little extra patience doesn't hurt either. I know you enjoy his personality and cuddling with him. Good parrot, as Ralph would say.
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Post by heatherg on Sept 14, 2024 20:32:28 GMT -5
I told Willow loudly and enthusiastically what a “Good boy!” he is today. He stared at me and moved his beak.
We did not work with the harness today. The last few days had been very exciting and I wanted Willow to have a break. So we sang songs and Willow did bird things. Willow got lots of cuddles and a big chunk of avicake. He was a very happy guy. But he’s fast asleep now, perhaps dreaming of delicious treats.
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Post by heatherg on Sept 17, 2024 23:12:04 GMT -5
Willow was grumpy today. I’m not sure why, but he was extra nippy. He’s also figured out that he can fly if he doesn’t feel like doing something. This is new. Hmm.
I trimmed Willow’s “tooth” from his beak because he’s been accidentally cutting me. In the last few days, he’s given me what would normally be a beak nudge or minor pinch, but because he doesn’t chew down his beak, he perforates my finger. So I used the fingernail grinder to take down that point a bit and he was NOT IMPRESSED. (It’s so quick and less restraint for him but he still hates it.). He flew towards the closed door and hung sadly off my backpack.
I did apologize, but Willow was not in a cuddly mood. He got a bit of head massage and pets but wanted to sit on my shoulder and then was acting anxious. It occurs to me that we’re approaching the time change and maybe he just wanted to go to bed—it was 6:30. So anyhow I took him to his house and he ran on in, settled down behind his hanging toy and next to his toy basket and fluffed up.
I wish birds were nocturnal because I couldn’t sleep last night so got up and cleaned, and needed to sleep late today. I didn’t spend as much time with Willow or Jasper. Shame on me! But the guys have gotten a bunch of new toys and accessories and I’m trying new fidgety toys in each cage. Willow has some zip ties and Jasper has a bunch of cardboard to chew. Maybe if I put pony beads on the zip ties then Willow will play with them?
Maybe tomorrow we can work with the harness and get outside for a bit. I need to find a high-value treat for harness training reward. I suppose I’ve got some nuts that could be chopped up for tiny tiny rewards.
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Post by cnyguy on Sept 18, 2024 19:39:21 GMT -5
It's not unusual for most parrots to have an occasional grumpy day. The beak trim probably wouldn't have improved Willow's attitude either. He'll probably be in a more typical mood tomorrow. Unfortunately, parrots aren't related to owls so they're not nocturnal. We humans have to accommodate their schedule so they can get enough sleep. I've had sleepless nights myself and I usually just want to try to sleep and don't feel like doing housework, or the things that are usually recommended like reading. If I did the vacuuming at 3 AM, I'm sure there would be complaints from my neighbors and Ralph both. You can try attaching some beads to a few cable ties and see what Willow thinks of them. I did that for Ralph when I first got him and he had fun with them, but eventually lost interest. I would put a few beads on the cable tie and make a loop of it and hang it in his cage. The last time I rearranged his cage I found one and put it in, but Ralph hasn't paid any attention to it.
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