Learning new stuff everyday

[Lowman]

Well, the food the people who gave Joey to me is full of sunflower seeds and nuts and stuff. I bought him all new food without all the sunflowers in it. He is a little jumpy sometimes and trembles sometimes when I first ake him out of his cage. It's not cold in the room so I think he is still unsure of what I am doing. I hope he gets over that. I have heard it may take him up to a year to fully acclimate to his new home. He is a bit shy and very quiet. Any tips you cockatoo experts may have would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[Jean]

Just keep reassuring him your his new friend. try to figure out what he likes to do by giving him choices. ( of toys ) ( foraging treats) Take him for walks room to room through the house, explain things to him, this is always a good way to start sharing interaction with him. Let him enjoy watching you shave and do certain things. This is a good way to allow him to observe your behavior and learn how you live and what you do. It's great if you have a stand that can go room to room to watch and feel he is included as meals are prepared (offer him a treat or taste while in the kitchen.) When we eat Elvie eats with us or at the same time close by. He knows he is part of the family and you better not forget him even when it comes to desert he wants his desert. LOL You can let him watch you take a shower. These are all good ways to help make him feel at home with out smothering him in the beginning. Praise him and tell him what a good boy he is. They thrive on praise and kindness.

Remember he is judging you and your body language as much as you are judging him and his. He just wants to know he can find trust, security, love and kindness in his new home.

[Shirley]

You're doing a great job, and Jean gave you great advice, and it could take a few weeks or more than a year... all depending upon yours and his "bank account" of positive experiences and trust, which you are building now.

I can't emphasize enough the value of pos. reinforcement games, such as clicker training, that takes only a few moments or minutes a day... he does something, you reward him, he learns he's pleased you and gets the reward (praise, food) and does it again, and trust is being built. Have you watched the clicker training video I linked? It's on Youtube...

Building Trust with your Bird - One Click at a Time (http://youtube.com/watch?v=qkI9PvOsjS0)

It's only 7 minutes long, and Dr. C presents ... with a bird who bit everyone and trusted no one, except me... the person doing the training had no relationship with the bird before training began, but she bit him if he ever asked her to step up. Huge success in less than two weeks.

Pos. reinforcement training, clicker training, etc is much more than just saying nice things to the bird as you pass by the cage, and it can be done through the cage bars if the bird is not ready to come out or step up for you.

[Jim]

Great posts Jean and Shirley. I agree 100%. I've done this with both of my boys and have absolutely no regrets. Letting them see what we are doing and giving them the choice to be part of it is the only way to go in my book.

[Lowman]

Thanks for all the nice words. Joey is starting to come around. I tend to be a little impatient if I don't understand what is happening, but I'm learning to be more patient. I watched the clicker training video and plan on starting him on that immediately. I walk him all over the house and show him everything in it. He like for me to open his cage when I get him, then he comes out on his own and walks into the diningroom. He is very curious. He loves all the family members and even landed on the back of one of our "killer" pitbulls yesterday. Pretty funny. I also read the article on greens and it is a good thing I work for a produce company, I can get everything he needs at work at a greatly reduced rate. He still isn't very vocal, but I'm sure that will all change.

[Jean]

Keep up the good work. :goodjob: I'm glad you are interested in the clicker training. I believe it will be a great asset for both of you. You'll be surprised how much Patience you can learn to endure when you share your life with a precious cockatoo... LOL :heart:

[Sue]

Some great advice given here. Sounds like you're doing a great job. I would say take it slowly and don't push him to do anything he's not comfortable with, that way you will gain trust.

Our birds always eat with/same time as us. Great that you can get all the veggies cheaply.
I forgot, what kind of Too is he?

[Lowman]

He is a Goffin's Cockatoo.