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From: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: INDOOR: Biting Conure
Message-ID: <1642@intercon.com>
Date: 19 Dec 89 17:44:57 GMT
References: <3343@cbnewsl.ATT.COM> <12254@cbnewsd.ATT.COM>
Reply-To: ooblick@intercon.UUCP (Mikki Barry)
Distribution: usa
Organization: InterCon Systems Corporation
Lines: 40

In this month's issue of Bird World, there is an article by Chris Davis,
a highly qualified and respected bird behaviorist, dealing with training
pet birds.  Her method of choice seems to be bringing the hand with
the bird on it down sharply to knock the bird off balance.  They seem to
hate this.  Another method she uses is immediately after the bird displays
an unacceptable behavior, return it to its cage and cover it for exactly
ten minutes, during which time you do not talk to the bird and have
no other contact with it.

She does not address the "water method" although I have used it and it
has been highly successful for me.  None of the birds I have sprayed have
then disliked bathing.  The key is to set the squirt bottle on stream when
it is a punishment, and spray when you are misting the bird for a bath.
However, she does specifically address physical punishment and condemns it
in all circumstances.  Mostly because a bird is not an animal like a dog
or cat and does not understand being struck.  It will teach him only fear,
not specific corrective behavior.  The combination of taking the bird off
balance when on your hand, and spraying when the bird is doing something
wrong when he isn't on your hand has helped me tame many wild caught imports
and helped me discipline many naughty little domestics who are going through
the "terrible twos".

You may find that many domestic babies go through a testing phase, much like
a human child.  They will keep pushing until they get a response from you.
It is a means of the bird trying to determine its boundaries of acceptable
behavior.  The key to overcoming this seemingly awful period is being totally
predictable and non-arbitrary in your praises and punishments.  EVERY time
the bird displays unacceptable behavior (i.e. biting, chewing on electrical
cords, eating your shoes, etc.) you have to react in a similar manner.
The bird has to know that this behavior is never acceptable.  If you choose
to put the bird back in his cage.  Make sure he is inside and covered for
the full 10 minute period.  More and he will fall asleep, negating the 
"lesson".  Less and he won't feel deprived of anything and the punishment
won't work.  And don't let his screaming and yelling make you feel guilty
enough to take him out.  

From what I hear, Nandays are among the most stubborn of birds.  It may
take lots of time, but don't give up.  

Mikki Barry