Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well since I have gotten denny, he has settled in nicely and is now trying new foods, fruits & vegitables. All signs of toe tapping have stopped. I do have another question however. Denny has decided that when my girlfriend is in the room he will have nothing to do with me, he only wants her. last night he was biting pretty hard if i tried to get him to step up onto my hand when she was near. he seems to love woman as it is (he will wistle and follow any woman with his body when she walks by, begging to be picked up) but there is something about my girlfriend that he is especially attracted to. could it be that she reminds him of someone or something? how can i work with him with the biting issue. if i am doing something and he doesnt like it (telling him "up up" or something along those lines), he will not hesitate to bite me...hard. he doesnt seem to do it with heidi (my girlfriend) or anyone else for that matter. I know i have only had him for a few days so would that have anything to do with it? maybe he is just not settled in yet? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Perhaps if your girlfriend refuses to give him attention until he's given you a little. Also if he bites you, have your girlfriend put him in his cage for time out. This may work better because Denny loves your girlfriend, he'd be more likely to do what she says & easily learn from her.

How is he when you're both alone without your girlfriend? A little extra time with him if you can will help him to bond to you more. Offer treats, food, water, everything including time out when he's agro but have your girlfriend do the time out when she's there.

Stick training will help him learn to step up for you & not hurt you. He'll be very quick to realise biting the stick is doing nothing & give up.

It's not likely you'd ever know the full story of his past. 99% of re-homed bird stories are exagerated usually so the previous owners can get rid of the bird. He may have had a bad run in with males at some stage so there's a trust issue with you. This needs time & for you to keep working with him as much as you can. He will eventally see that you won't hurt him & his trust in you will slowly row.

Give him time & still try all the things I mentioned in the other reply.

thanks! actually, he is doing MUCH better. hasnt bitten me in a few days and is being very sweet. i havent been letting my girlfriend hold him as much and he seems not to notice any more when she walks in the room. again, thanks so much. i wish this forum was a little more lively. would love to see some other eclectus and hear their stories