taming a conure???

Question

Hi, I have a Green Cheek conure I purchased in October, he was born in May so he's still a little young. Now the problem I have with him, is when I was visiting him at the bird store while he was on layaway, he was fine I could handle him, he was sweet, he never bit. Now I brought him home the end of October, he attached himself to my husband and bites me every time I try to take him out to play or when my husband hands him to me. He lets me snuggle with him (he likes to lay on your stomach on his back), but as sson as I actually go to handle him, he bites and goes back to my husband. Any tips on getting him to like me like he did at the bird store? Or is he going to be a one person bird?

Answer 1

well, i'll tell you this, a bird will choose you not you choose the bird... it's just the way they are

Answer 2

I love GCC's! Anyhow I have a Sun Conure, and I haven't noticed this in him, he's actually quite a social bird, but the Conure species has a tendency to be a one person bird. The problem with him being on layaway at the store was he probly saw dozens of people a day I'm assuming, so of course he would probly snuggle with anyone at that time. Are you spending more time with him than your husband or visa versa? If your hubby spends more time with him, its bound to happen that he will bond to him. Sometimes its just that way that the bird will choose a specific person, or only males or only females, its much more common in Conures! Looks like you'll have to get another! Good luck!

Answer 3

Actually, we've been doing this now with Rio, our Macaw...I think I can help! (yaay! LOL)

Rio, HATES my husband. When my husband passes his cage, Rio lunges at him and goes for maximum pain and destruction every single time. My husband is of course jealous and a bit pissy about it because, well...for such an expensive monster, he had hoped that he would at least be a pet for the whole family. For me, he doesn't bite (unless, of course I deserve it...) he loves me and is bonded to me.

So, what I've been doing to get the situation to turn around...I took a step back. And, you should ask your husband to do the same. For maybe a week or two (or more if it's warranted) ask your husband to not handle him.

Instead, you handle him, and FOLLOW THROUGH on everything you ask of your Green Cheek. If you ask him to step up, make him step up. Don't pull away when he bites, instead push into him (which I know is against every natural instinct you have, but it works, I swear to you it works).

One thing that's helped my husband is that if there's a scary situation, like, for instance say he's found something in the room to be terrified by, he's freaking out and needs someone to go get him, Jason, my hubby does that.

I wouldn't say that Rio is Jason's best friend just yet, because well...he's not. But, Jas has found the treats that Rio loves, and he's the only one who gives Rio treats right now.

Does that help?

Answer 4

You will need a LOT of patience. This isn't something that is going to be solved in a few days. If you and your husband are both consistent in your behavior you may solve this in 6 months. If not, you will never solve it.

Start off by getting a stick that he can perch on. Every time your husband has him step up on his finger, your husband HAS to say "Up" to train him to follow the command. Since your bird is biting, you don't want to try with your hand. Use the stick to get him to step up while also saying "Up."

Every time he does what you want, praise him, call him a good boy, and so on. Every time he does something you don't want, put him down and turn away from him for 5 minutes - this is his punishment, being ignored by his flock. You and your husband must BOTH do this, just like if you were raising a human child you must both be consistent with punishments.

Physical punishments don't work with birds, so don't try hitting him or tapping him on the beak or anything, it will just make him more upset at you, or confuse him. If he does bite, try your best not to say anything aloud as he will interpret that as praise. Just put him down and turn away.

Good luck! And remember consistency is KEY.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, Conures are like Quakers and they tend to bond to one person.

Birds have jealousy issues too when it comes to more than one person in the house. You can gently tap him on the beak when he goes to bite you. You don't have to do it hard, just enough to let him know you aren't for biting.

One good thing though is that the sound of a womans voice is preferred by birds and you will be able to teach him more things to say than your husband.

Conures are wonderful pets!! They're so musical and noisy!! I love a loud bird!!

Congrats!

Answer 6

Hhm... What i'd do, is in a week or so, take a towel or textile and basically gently grab him. yet, for the full week previously you try this, you should: verify with him, be outdoors of his cage, talking, eat with him, communicate previously you enter his room, you recognize, basically stuff which will make him conscious that that's your agenda. when you grab him gently i'd take him to a quiet spot. It has to have not something occurring, no noises, not something. There, you may commence to coach him. i'm particular you've heard of this previously, yet you should then commence step-up preparation him. carry one finger to his chest, and say step up. be particular to reward if he does step up. basically verify with him quietly, and perchance enable him bypass on your shoulder for a short at the same time as. solid success!

Answer 7

We had the same story...same months too and we found out the GUY!!! at PetSmart was abusing him and he was fired....so find out all the people who handled your conure.