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| conure tantrums; I need help curbing conure tantrums | |
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| Topic Started: Oct 8 2009, 10:23 AM (130 Views) | |
| I<3Suomi | Oct 8 2009, 10:23 AM Post #1 |
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Sorry this is going to be kinda long: I purchased my first sun conure this past Sunday. He seemed to like me instantly, he would always make kissy noises at me to give me kisses and would chirp, I only heard him scream once. I have been trying to reinforce good behavior. Example: I wear alot of rings so of course he is very interested in them and often bites them. When he does so I say "No" and continue this until he lets go, then I praise him by saying "I want a scratch" and scratching the back of his neck. So far this has work very well, but last night left something to be desired with his behaviour. Last night he was on a roll. He was not responding to "No" and was getting angry at me when I would make him stop and was biting me, I did not give him any reaction I let him continue to bite while repeating "No" and he would eventually stop, but would go back to my rings. Each time he was biting harder and harder, so finally I told him if he could not be nice he was going back into his cage. When I put him in and shut the door he started his tantrum with flicking the door back open, so I put the lock on it. When he realized I did that he tried throwing his food cup and started screaming and slamming the bars of his cage with his beak. He was not hurting himself, but he was obviously very upset. All the while I ignored him and instructed my husband to do the same. About 20 minutes later he quieted down and started chirping again and I could tell he was no longer angry. So I started to talk to him. I then fed him dinner and he went to sleep after. I wanted to know if I was doing the correct thing by just ignoring him? He's my first parrot (although I have had some parrot experience) and I'm very afraid that I am going to mess up his training. I want him to be a happy well trained bird. Also I was told he was 9 months old, is there any sure way I can tell?
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| Dusky Lover | Oct 8 2009, 04:34 PM Post #2 |
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Hi and Welcome to the forum l<3Suomi ! I think the "No" command is a good word for birds to associate unapproved behaviors from their owners . The one thing i dont think is good , is that you let the bird know if he wasnt nice he was going back in his cage . You see birds should never be put in their cage as "Punishment" only because this is where they spend anywhere from 20 - 23 hours a day each day of their lives , and using the cage as a command tactic is probably not the best way to try to teach your conure to be a good boy .  Rings and necklaces are always going to be interesting to your bird , so you have to find a way to associate the "No" command with something constructive for the bird . I usually touch my conures head when i say NO , and they try again a few times , but eventually they stop doing what they shouldnt be . As for tantrums ....... Its probably because the bird might be enjoying too much outside the cage time . I have seen other members on the forum , who give their birds half a day out of the cage time , and when the bird is put back in the cage they will be angry ... Screaming / food throwing / etc . You should have a somewhat set schedule , where you allow your bird to be out at certain times , for certain periods of time . This will help reinforce a good schedule for you and your bird , and hopefully help develop good behavior ! As for leaving the bird alone for 20 minutes when he is displaying a tantrum . I like that technique , because it shows the bird you wont give in to the bad behavior and give him attention / take him back out of the cage . If you did take him out of the cage , he would think that everytime he displays this behavior he is basically going to get what he wants . Best thing to do is DONT use the cage as punishment ! You want your bird to feel Happy , and Safe in its cage . Also when you get the bird to associate "No" with things you dont want him doing , try and reward him when he displays good behavior with a sunflower seed , pumpkin seed , dried mango piece , etc . Good luck with Suomi , remember you have to be patient with birds . They are very intelligent creatures , and training conures can be a little tough ! 
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| kiddo76 | Oct 8 2009, 08:20 PM Post #3 |
Conure Crazed!!!!!!!!!
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 I just wanted to add that when he starts acting up and biting and ignoring you, set him down and ignore him. When my sun starts grabbing my ears, which are pierced 4x, I touch his beak or his head or wing and tell him no to distract him. Of course No is now one of his favorite words now. I'm told giving the bird a stern disapproving look helps... although not with my guys. I sit at my kitchen table a lot at my laptop computer, and when whoever is on my should startsacting up and biting, I will also remove them from my shoulder and set them on the table. this really seems to bother them and they behave a little while longer... then it starts again. Where was your sun conure purchased? does it wear a leg band? if it was a petstore like petco or petsmart he was purchased from they may have provided a certificate of health as well as a birth certificate. I got a whole packet of info when I purchased my sun from Petco. they just couldn't tell me if he was a boy or a girl so I got my vet to send a blood sample for me. as far as telling his age by looking, sorry. I've seen two month old suns with as much yellow as a yearling. |
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| kermits | Oct 8 2009, 10:50 PM Post #4 |
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I agree with dusky lover do not let him think that going back into his cage is a punishment. Kermit used to be exactly the same when i used to leave the room he used to swark had have temper tantrums untill i came back into the room but i made the mistake of talking and making a fuss of him when i came back in so he used to do it even more. I started to ignore him for 30mins when he started and eventually it worked he realised that swarking did not work. so i think you are doing the right thing, good luck |
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| I<3Suomi | Oct 9 2009, 09:45 AM Post #5 |
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Thank you for all the great advice, the only reason I use the cage is I know I am not supposed to react to his biting everytime he gets mad he bites a little harder everytime, like the other night it got to the point where if he had one more episode I was afraid I wouldn't be able to ignore his biting. What should I do in that case? I used his cage last night in the same instance, he didn't have a tantrum again but he was getting a bit unruly with the biting and he did get mildly upset when I put him in, but once he quieted and started being sweet again I started to talk to him and gave him dinner and filled up his bath. So I don't know if maybe that cancels it out, you know? I'm sorry about all the questions I just want to make sure I do this right by Suomi, I have a bad habit of spoiling my kids and then they turn into jerks ;p Thank you so much for all your help! |
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| kermits | Oct 9 2009, 09:56 AM Post #6 |
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I know how annoying the biting can get, Kermit still has a go when he does'nt get his own way. I know several other members have tried putting there bird down on the floor or on a table and totally ignoring him for 10 mins or so, i know some who have a time out cage ,where there put there bird when it has been naughty. I personally gently get hold of kermits top beak , i keep hold of it for a while so he can't bite me, he does'nt like it , it does't hurt him ,but it stops him biting me , but if you are scared to take hold of the beak you can try gently blowing at him when he bites i find this can also work as well Edited by kermits, Oct 9 2009, 09:59 AM.
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| Dusky Lover | Oct 9 2009, 03:07 PM Post #7 |
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I like Jackies advice on gently getting a hold of the top beak , and also blowing in their face when they bite . She is right because my conures dont like that either ... ( I hope its not my breath killing them  ) As for a time out cage , you can try that also and see if it works for you . I myself do not use one , but i have read that it can work with some birds . Keep trying and you will have yourself a well behaved , and a happy sun conure ! |
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| conure58 | Oct 9 2009, 04:21 PM Post #8 |
Administrator
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Of course if Suomi is only trying to bite your rings, you might try taking them off before handling him and see if he behaves a little better. I know my Sun hates my feet/toes (don't ask me why). Whenever she's out, I either make sure she doesn't get close to my feet or wear shoes. She doesn't care much for just sock covered feet either. Not sure how she'd react to rings or earrings, since I don't wear either of those.. |
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| kermits | Oct 9 2009, 10:21 PM Post #9 |
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conure58Gizmo is also obsesses with rings and watch straps/bracelets not so much kermit, if i have a watch or bracelet on Gizmo will not leave them alone and i have to take them off. Kermit is obsessed with feet i have to wear socks or slippers otherwise he will not leave my toes alone and it tickles  |
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| conure58 | Oct 10 2009, 06:49 AM Post #10 |
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Summer bites toes!!  And it doesn't tickle. |
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