Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well I am quite enjoying my Meyers Lola! She is making cute noises and can say hello and makes kissy sounds. I do have a problem with her that I don't know how to correct. I wear glasses and she likes to try and chew on them. I can't leave them off when she is out because I can't see without them. I have repeatedly told her no while directing her beak elsewhere and I have tried putting her in her cage. If I put her in her cage every time she does this though... she will never be out! Can anyone advise me what to do??

This is a hard one. Usually people are able to "remove" the item that is causing the distraction and go on with the training or spending time together but I can see in your place where that would be quite impossible. I wouldn't suggest the placing back in the cage method on this topic as she isn't going to really learn that it is the glasses getting her into trouble. I am going to say in my opinion that the targeting or distraction method is going to be the best bet but will take a while to get her to to learn this. Try finding a toy that she is really interested in. When she starts to go for the glasses use the toy as a distraction if she goes for the toy give her a treat/praise etc. Keep trying this until she learns that the toy earns a treat, glasses earn nothing.

Also I would suggest making sure not to allow her on your shoulder or chest area until she is completely comfortable with your glasses and shows no interest in them (at that time it is up to you, some say never to shoulder a bird but I do with many after they have earned my trust and in a controlled setting). If she is on your hand and gives a lunge for the glasses you can try one of two things, either lightly quake your hand, not enough to make her fall just enough to make her straighten herself for balance. Then she is not really being punished but is distracted from the glasses. The other thing to try would be to when she goes for the glasses take your hand not holding her, gently grasp her upper beak and speak to her. It doesn't necessarily have to be a harsh voice or a "NO" just a verbal cue and the release her beak. Some even use this time to give a quick kiss on the head

Thanks A lot!!!! I will try the methods you suggest and hopefully one of them will work. Also I want to thank you for so quickly answering back to the queries I have had with Lola. I really appreciate it!!

I try to check the boards every day in case I can help. I love our birds and love to offer help to anyone with questions with their birds. Hopefully I don't sound too know-it-all because I definitely don't LOL!!