how can i discipline my African Grey?

Question

hes not a baby anymore and is roughly about 5 years old or maybe less.
He makes alot of noise and screetches for no reasion, hes more like an attetion seaker then anything.
if i go out the room and he cant see me he will make noise's (screetching mostly)
screeming at him to "shut up" obviously dont work.
the only other option iv done so far is put him in the "naughty room" (the back room)
does anyone else have this problem with talking parots
whats the best discipline for an old(ish) Bird?

he also bites. and is quite vicious.
can this be helped too?

Answer 1

Please NEVER squirt your bird with water or shout at him. Birds will only learn from positive re-inforcement.
There is a great site on yahoo groups "clicker training" which will teach you to learn your bird to recognise positive behaviour. You should always treat the behaviour you want.
I do agree that taking the bird to a naughty room and using certain words can work - but never raise your voice or shout at your bird. Grey's are very clever and will remember when you are nasty to them - and that's their chance to bite you.
To be fair they do go through phases where they bite, but you must percevere and give treats when he is being good.
Check out that website and you will learn loads.

Answer 2

Well, lots of advice here so I can only say what works for me.
We aquired a blue and gold macaw and an african grey a little over two years ago. (previously I had a grey for 34 years) both talking and were very contented, neither seemed to want to come out for long. Although Smokey tried to bite to begin with he got a wack across the beak enough for him to realise it's wrong, he hasn't done it since, but if he is not in a good mood I wouldn't bother him. Although talking to either seems to change their moods.
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We use a garden sprayer ( set on mist) to give them a bath, not appreciated by either. and when they deceided to drive us up the wall, they get an "warning" then "I'm warning you" after that I have a plant sprayer set on squirt. Bandit only needed a squirt now and then for the first couple of days, after that you only had to pick it up and he would leg it to the other end of his cage, and was good as gold.

When Smokey sees me pick up a sprayer, he goes glug-glug-glug-glug and bashes his bell and usually behaves, but if he knows I can't get him, he goes through all the stupid noises he can, with almost a smile on his face.


Last July my mate fell in love with another grey that she could handle and stroke (smokey always tried to bite her even when she was feeding him) and although he was £700. I brought him for her, he is now 8 months old. We had no problems at all with the others being jealous, and all was peace in the camp.
Everything seemed to be fine for some time, BUT after a couple of months when Smokey had learned all the stupid pips and squeeks Joey picked up from baby finches etc,. in the pet shop, and Smokey had taught Joey all his daft noises (including wolf whistles taught by my neighbour, while we were on holiday)

All hell let loose!!!!

(You must remember that Bandit is about four foot from my chair. Smokey is opposite about five feet away, and Joe is at the side of the cough. So we are all within an area of about ten feet.)

Smokey and Joe went into competition to see who could make the most noise. First one would got squirted then the other, They would get covered, and uncovered sprayed all day till the wife came in and I was just about ready for the men in white coats. God did they go on, I was a total nervous wreck. I dreaded the next day.

But my prayers were answered. They have had a bit of a go now and then, and I only have to pick up the water and they go good again. So all those that say don't use a spray are talking crap.

We have a pecking order for eating Bandit is top dog then Smokey, then Joe and finally I get my turn, Bandit shares whatever he can get They all like frosties but if it's porriage I'm first as it's my spoon.

Answer 3

He has bonded with you and wants your attention. Screeching parrots can be a pain but please dont shout as he does not understand and you be wasting your time. Do you have him out the cage with you. My African Grey never screeches but she does demand lots of attention when she wants it. Talk to him lots and when in a different room you could still call to him so he knows you are not too far away. You could consider getting him a friend. Another parrot or small bird but this may cause him not to want your attention as he will bond with other bird.

Answer 4

I have an 8 year old (very vocal) African Grey- one of the hundreds of noises mine makes is a noise like plimpsolls on a gym floor- a really piercing squeak. It drives me potty.

A trick I use is to cover the cage with a sleeping bag- the darkness calms him down.

I'll also give him a squirt with a water bottle- contrary to the other reports that you shouldn't, it's actually a good way to make them think of something else and is not harmful. I have a great relationship with my parrot- and he's not afraid of the water bottle as he gets a weekly warm shower with it and loves it. I guess it boils down to how well you and your parrot get on as to whether you try this or not. It works for me.

PS If you believe that a squirt from a water bottle will make your parrot nasty and resentful, I have a very happy parrot sat on my right on a playperch saying "Oooh! What's this?!" every time the page changes. It hasn't done him any harm.

Answer 5

You cannot discipline a bird - it is beyond their understanding. I have had an African Grey for 25 years. I taught him to talk - a very long process as he wasn't hand reared. Once he could talk and responded to kindness and soothing words, he was fine. It will take a lot of patience, but it can be done. I have taught 4 parrots to speak, but with kindness and soft words only. They respond to tit bits too. This is a bit garbled sorry.

Answer 6

I agree with the young lady above. I would use treats to get ur bird to twig if he / she behaves itself it gets a treat, and what u do about the naughty room is a good idea, sooner or later the penny will drop. It will soon know if it behaves itself it will get ur attention and treats, and if its naughty it will be put in the naughty room with no treats. when offering it treats, tell it to take it nicely, and if it starts to lunge at ur fingers withdraw the treat, keep repeating and when it takes it gently, praise it good boy or girl, give it another telling it this is for being good, dont forget to always call it by its name so that it knows when u praise it that it is for him or her, African Greys are very intelligent birds, they soon get to know what u mean. Tell it if its naughty it will go into naughty room, and when ur in the room tell it this is the naughty room because jacko was a bad boy, like that..If it lunges at u or is naughty call out sharply but not too loud no jacko thats naughty. U must have patience with it, dont put it in the n. room after it is naughty, give it a few tries, keep ur voice low and gentle and dont do any sharp moves as it may take it as a threat, keep talking as much as u can, and say is jacko a good boy/girl? when u feel up to it put ur finger near the cage gently, dont forget it is use to u as u feed it so it should twig that u are no threat to it. ur fingers will get nearer and nearer as u offer treats, and eventually it should take its treat gently by hand, my wife and I taught our pet poodle the same thing and he is so gentle when he takes it off us. Its just time that will eventually do the job, be very patient. It will eventually get cheesed off going into the naughty room and been told it was naughty. Use same words when praising or telling it off otherwise it will confuse ur bird. Birds like dogs and cats love human companionship and hate been left alone, they get bored and could start picking their feathers.

Please let me know if I have been of any help to u.

immy Essex England UK.

Answer 7

My friend has an arican grey parrot by the name of Merlin! I have spent many an evening after a heavy night out sleeping on his couch only to be woken up by the bl......dy things impersonating my friends mother with all her usual sayings like "wheres Richard gone?" etc etc. It got to a point that I used to have to get up and make some toast and share it with Merlin bfore he would quieten down. For a more healthy option try chunks of apple or something. Your parrot more than likely is just vi ing for your attention when he starts to squark so spend some time with him/her. One trick is to threaten to cover him/her up when it starts to squark - always give a warning though before you carry out your threat because its a little bit communist to just punish the parrot. This should help but they are just excitable creatures to bear with it! Good luck! " wheres Honiez gone?" " Honiez a naughty owner! Squark Naughty Honiez!"

Answer 8

A well-trained dog makes everyone happy, including his owner. Take a little time training him, and you'll never regret it; you'll always have an obedient dog by your side. Find more https://tr.im/s0crv

By their nature, dogs are pack animals with a well-defined social order. Through basic training, you need to consistently make sure your puppy understands that you are the leader, not him. So in teaching him the basic rules, you take on the role of pack leader.

To fit into the family circle, your dog must be taught to recognize his name and such commands as come, heel, lie down and sit.

Answer 9

If he is kept in a cage/aviary or has a perch, he shld always be below ur eye level, if he is higher than you that gives him the feeling of authority, therefore he feels he is in charge and can behave like that boss. Also tha problem could be that he craves attention, he feels the only way to get noticed is to behave badly. I suggest you speak to him with soft gentle words and play with him, reward him for good behavour and change that toys around in his cage every week. slowly he will gain your trust and before you know it he will be following you around the house lol.

Answer 10

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