Welcome featherduster

I have a GSC "Bebe" that likes to be cuddled. What sort do you have?

Trust is the key (to all relationships I surpose). Remember the first rule: Don't get bit. It took about 6 months to be confortable with Bebe (he was about 7 then) being real up close to my face. This may very though. And yes too's can be very moody, and can pack a punch behind a bite.

One caution. It's good that he likes to do his own thing. If he bonds just to you, others may well be in danger of being attacked and he can become very vocal when you are not about.



Murray NZ

Too true Murray! Pip is rather vocal when I'm not around, but she's getting better at accepting that sometimes I am just not around. I've had Pip for a month. She bonded to me very quickly, ie in a day or two. Murray is right about the negative aspects of a too bonded to you. Yes the cuddles are lovely, but you have to weigh it against the responsibility of carrying the 'weight' of their adoration.

I think the reason Pip bonded so quickly to me was because I got her just before Xmas, and took her away with me to different relatives over Xmas; so very early on in her time with us, she identified me as the constant person among the changing environment. She was also young when I got her (5 months).Taking your bird to unfamiliar places might be a good way to bond with the bird. My nippy alexandrine is a perfect angel when out in the car etc. It's surprising the change in their behaviour when they are unsure of the new environment and you are the 'safe' structure.

However I wouldn't recommend this unless you and your too are getting along well enough to be sure you can pick him up when you wish etc etc (for safety reasons).

I think you should work up to cuddles. Start with stepping up and down until the bird does it reliably. Gradually increase the amount of touch. You can use a clicker or some other form of positive reinforcement. Eg, put your hands around the bird briefly, then reward it. Or touch its head, then reward. Try to teach it that your touching it is a good thing for the bird.

Don't worry about being used for your food. My bird won't learn new things without being bribed. But once the behaviour has been reinforced enough to become a conditioned behaviour, it will not need to be rewarded all the time to maintain its prescence; ie it becomes part of the bird's repertoire of behaviours. I am currently using positive reinforcement to get my bird to accept lying on her back in my lap for a cuddle.

I hope I'm making sense - check out the articles here on training for better explanations. If there's a behaviour you want to see in a bird then you need to positively reinforce that behaviour - the way you do that is up to you.

Michelle.

Proud owner of little corella - rose breasted cockatoo cross (Pippi), alexandrine (Cam Rahn) and princess parrot (Eep). From Qld, Australia.

I have a lesser sulpher cockatoo. He is 2 years old and male. He allows me to stroke him on his head, but only when he is in the mood. Sometimes he will turn round and threaten to bite me, although he doesnt. I put him back in his cage for ten minutes to try to train him not to do it, although it doesnt seem to deter him. I have been reading about clicker training, and am going to buy a clicker as soon as possible. All the advice you have given me is very helpful thankyou! One more thing, is it true that brazil nuts are poisonous? His previous owners told me i wasnt allowed to feed them to him as they are bad for him. I find this rather amusing as they fed him kebabs and chilli sauce. . .