How should I train/tame my love birds?

Question

I have two love birds that my boyfriend and i share responsibility for. we got them 8-10 months ago and he had them at his house for several months before we decided to move them here to my house. They have been amazing but are still scared of us when we approach the cage or clean it out. ive heard its bad to clip wings but also that its good? I would love for them to let me hold them but dont really know much. also they have been behaving differently lately, like feeding each other, being more noisy and agressive with each other (not necessarily mean) and another thing that makes me giggle is that the male will tease my dauschaund and my cat through the bars of the cage. what does all of this mean?..i ultimately would like to train them and have them be able to sit with me and not be in the cage all the time

Answer 1

I had bought a cockatiel that wouldn't let me hold him, so everyday, for just a few minutes, I would put on a pair of gloves and hold him. Within about 3 days, he was willingly to step up on my finger and not bite me. Now, it has only been about a month and he gives kisses, and paces the front of the cage when he wants out.

Just be patient and talk to the love birds in a calm voice.
I don't clip my cockatiel's wings, I want him to have the ability to fly. Most of the time the farthest he tries to fly is from my shoulder to the top of my head.

As for teasing the dogs, I don't really know, but it sounds cute..lol

Good Luck, & here's a website that might be of some help..
http://www.birdsnways.com
you can also do a google or yahoo search & find more about taming & behavior

Answer 2

Taming lovebirds takes a *lot* of patience & persistance but it's worth it. With ours, I had just about given up hope after 3 months-- she became friendly very suddenly.
I hate to clip a bird's wings, but I'll do it as a last resort if taming is especially difficult. It's easier to tame/train a bird if he or she isn't constantly flying away from you & I truly believe that it's easier on the bird if you're not always needing to chase it. Also, it's safer for a panicky bird who is likely to fly into a wall or otherwise become injured. The feathers do grow back eventually, returning the bird's ability to fly.
That said, I ended up clipping the lovebird's wings after about 10 very frustrating days & I wish I'd done it sooner. She was so funny when her feathers grew back & she realized that she could fly again-- very proud of herself.
Your male is probably teasing your dog & cat simply because it's amusing-- birds do seem to have a quirky sense of humor & are definately playful. Also, it sounds like your birds are very loving towards each other.
Just keep trying to make friends with your birds, I know lovebirds are often a real challenge to tame, but it can be done & if they simply won't cooperate no matter what, love them for who they are & enjoy their antics & beauty.
Good luck!

Answer 3

We have a love bird, my sister-in-law had a pair & we also know another person who had some & none of us were able to train the ones we had. I'm not saying it's impossible I'm just saying if you do you are one of the lucky ones.Our love bird barks at our dogs & tries to attack us when we feed her.She also laughs at us all the time.As for clipping their wings I think it's just the prefference of the person who has the bird & what they want done.If I am correct they grow back .

Answer 4

Lovebird are funny little things.I have two sets.One set is in the mist of mating.Like your are.They help me with my dishes.Play in the water.We play catch all the time.they will throw me there balls.
The other set is like the first ones.But will not let u play with them.They are in there own little world.
It is to them when they became your friend.Good Luck.