The following is a continuation of the conversation that ended up when yellowlulu private messaged me. I wanted her to share on the public forum and she now understands why (so our conversations, advice and outcomes can benefit all)
From: yellowlulu
To: kyria
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:33 pm
Subject: New IRN owner
I read your advise and it could have been me writing asking for same help. I am determined to go home tonight and be strong and as you say Push past his reaching to bite me to take him out. He's bitten me soooo many times, I'll risk my hand to be able to hold him close. Thanks!!
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From: kyria
To: yellowlulu
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:36 pm
Subject: Re: New IRN owner
your welcome. We all have taken bites to end up with a tame bird. Pushing past them and not showing them it hurts, or even pushing past so that the bite doesn't happen is very effective. Is your birds wings clipped ?
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From: yellowlulu
To: kyria
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:42 pm
Subject: Re: New IRN owner
Yes they are. I've had him since 6/24. The 1st day I brought him home he let me hold him and he even slep under my chin on my chest but day 2 nothing doing. He's master of his cage and he reaches to bite me. Even when I do get him out and am holding him he was biting me at 1 time 1 had 23 marks on both hands, looked bad especially with work. But I did what the store told me and set-up my bed(diff room from cage) with towels put on treats, toys and we have a nice time. I can pick him up, he'll sit on my hand usually without biting and will stay there to walk him back into LR to his cage. He will climb on my arm and sit, very nice. But inside him cage or on his playset, no dice.
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From: kyria
To: yellowlulu
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:51 pm
Subject: Re: New IRN owner
He sees his cage as his safe haven and will protect it to the end, this is usual with most birds. You must get him use to you going in to step him up from his cage, or at least coax him out onto the cage door with treats and then step him up. It is natural to protect their cage, but you can show him over time you mean no harm, trust takes a long time and consistent work on your part.
The pet store gave you good advice taking him to another room to work with him.
I would love you to post all your questions on the forum for all to benefit from, as the info we are sharing now, in pm, will not be seen or helpful to anyone else in your position. Also there are others that will come and add things that I miss
Mind you that doesn't mean you can't pm me of course and if you prefer to talk in private, that is just fine.
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From: yellowlulu
To: kyria
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:48 pm
Subject: Re: New IRN owner
Thank you sooo much, your advice gave me the strength to work past his reaching to bite me. Last night I went home, got his play area set-up on my bed. I opened his cage, reached in, when he reached to bite me(& did), I pushed my hand past it to his body kind of forcing him to step on it. then pulled my hand out quick enough so he didn't have time to grab on to sometime & hope off. He came out no problem, no biting. I also used the sugestion I got to move my hand up & down, a little, if he starts biting that way he's forced to open his wings to settle himself & in turn quites thinking about biting me. It ALL WORKED!!!! I was thrilled for the 1st time!! He stayed on my hand nicely when we wlked into my BR & we played for hours on my bed w/ toys & treats. He likes climbing on me & pulling my clip out of my hair. I picked him up many times by pushing my hand up to him "Step Up" and little biting. We both had a great time & can't wait to do it again tonight. I can't thank you enough!!
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From: kyria
To: yellowlulu
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:22 pm
Subject: Re: New IRN owner
This makes me so happy , I love hearing when bonds begin to happen and things start working out for fids and their owners. Well done both of you !
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Look forward to hearing more of Louie.