|
|
Post by blueelephant on May 17, 2021 15:28:52 GMT
Finlay is being a bit of a horror. Barney comes over to say hi closely followed by Finlay the shadow who likes to chew everything, including my fingers. Trouble is he is not at all gentle in his chewing. It will start off gentle then suddenly be really hard and quite painful at times. I've tried doing a cross ack noise at him but it has zero effect and tends to just confuse Barney who is always there as well and is the one usually getting told off. I've also tried tipping him off my hand as soon as he bites hard but he just comes back. I feel like a parent of a toddler who is not listening 🤣
I don't 'think' he is trying to be malicious so to speak, but am not sure how to train him to behave better. At the moment Finlay is less likely to come say hi than Barney who is still pretty friendly. I'm just not sure how to facilitate good interactions when he does come over!
Any suggestions welcome.
P.S. after destroying the blinds the other week they have now started removing paint from the walls 🤦🏻♀️. Where was that pie dish again?
|
|
|
|
Post by tweetiepiesmom on May 17, 2021 16:43:09 GMT
Bad, Finlay! Can you put him on your other hand and then immediately off your hand when he starts to bite? Yes, it is difficult when you've got 2 on your hand and one is misbehaving. Maybe Hezz has some suggestions. |
|
|
|
Post by criswell on May 17, 2021 22:24:38 GMT
What a little pest. It sounds like you are doing the right sort of things but that he's doesn't want to listen. Hopefully it will just be a temporary thing and he'll move on to something else. I had a bitey phase with Criswell for a few months and he didn't pay any attention to me telling him off either, but he did stop biting, unless he was trying to get me to do something he wanted, like sing to him or something like that ( he had me very well trained).
|
|
|
|
Post by blueelephant on May 17, 2021 22:29:33 GMT
I love that! Trained by the budgie 🤣. So true! I will maybe have to try and tip him off my hand more consistently for each offence and will try to ensure one bird per hand too. The ack noise is not working at all as he does not bat an eyelid!
|
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on May 17, 2021 22:41:11 GMT
What I would do is keep the two birds on a hand each - move one to the other hand when they both perch up together - and once Finlay starts on his gentle nibbling, tell him be gentle, no biting etc; when he goes beyond that give him your full attention in a negative way and tip him off if necessary. If you keep your other hand with Barney on it totally removed, Barney shouldn’t be too perturbed by all the commotion going on “over there”. Or put BArney on your shoulder, so that he is well out of the line of conflict.
What happens when you approach Finlay and ask him to step up? Will he, and will he stay put? Give him the opportunity to be a good boy, if he is happy to engage, but put him down as soon as he starts to hurt. It is a fine line, and I agree that he is not wanting to hurt, but he does need to learn what his boundaries are. I doubt it will take long for him to understand that a nibble is acceptable but it has to be gentle.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on May 17, 2021 22:42:59 GMT
Excuse th double up of ideas - I was typing that up and thinking things through when you posted your next message.  |
|
|
|
Post by blueelephant on May 18, 2021 21:43:47 GMT
Thanks Hezz I will concentrate on the praise and calm voice for good behaviour and the hand flick and firm voice for biteyness. He came to say hello today and was very sweet. He just wants to explore though. There's no affection. He was determined to borrow under my arm for some reason 😂 |
|
|
|
Post by ariella on May 18, 2021 22:03:41 GMT
Finlay - what a little monkey! Hopefully he’ll grow out of it quickly and start being a good boy. An armpit sniffer too…😉😂
|
|
