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Is there a way to train my cockatiel not to bite?
Hi everyone,
I have a 4-month old cockatiel for a month and I know she likes nibbling and pecking but I think she is turning it into biting (although it never draw blood but that hurts) recently. She likes to 'bite' when having her 'table' food (I have to hold it for her since she only eats her seed in her cage but never veggies or fruits where she likes to sit on me and eat those stuff), she starts biting my finger when I'm not looking. I told her told then she bites even harder until I yell at her.
Also, if she dislikes something that I've done she sort of hissing at me then pretending to bite (never hurt me though) in order to scare me away. I yell at her then she stops.
I put her back in her cage if she bites me over 3 times in a roll. And I believe she gets the message and she didnt 'call' me back to let her out the cage when I 'punish' her this way. However, she be doing the same thing again next time. I wonder how everyone 'teaches' the birds and how to change their bad behaviour.
I also wonder if cockatiel doesnt like belly rub coz mine pretend to attack if she sees my fingers going to touch her belly.
P.S. I know my bird is very attached to me and she's a very loving bird in general apart from the biting bit.
5 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavourite answer
When you yell you're giving your cockatiel attention and it likes attention so that will encourage the bad biting behavior. Hissing is a sign the bird is going to bite. It's a good idea to back off if the cocaktiel is in a bad mood. Ignoring the negative behavior is the best thing to do. I've given my parakeets some time out by leaving them in their cage until they calm down. You're never going to completely stop the biting. Even your cockatiel is bonded to you, it will bite sometimes. My parakeets are bonded to me and they sometimes bite.
Some cockatiels enjoy being rubbed and some don't. Your cockatiel would probably prefer a head rub. Most birds don't really enjoy belly rubs. My parakeets can't stand them. Some of my parakeets do like the head rubs, though.
Source(s): Owned parakeets and finches for 15 years, taken care of cockatiels - 1 decade ago
Yes! You can train your bird not to bite you. Try the come n' go command. Let your bird out of its cage in a small room.... once he comes out. Say " Come!" and give him a treat. NEVER CHASE HIM AROUND THE ROOM! your making the bird think your hunting it. then tap her door of the cage and say " Go!" then give a treat. This will teach your bird that when he does something good he gets something wonderful. If he trys to bite you, don't try to touch him again, walk away for 20 seconds then come back and say " Good Boy!" then give him a treat.
NEVER:
1. Hit your bird!
2. Talk to your bird, record birds outside and play it when your gone from the house.
3. Buy shredder toys from petco or any other store to get him active.
4. Don't over do it with treats!
5. Always show love, for your pets no matter what :)
Source(s): Having birds for 2 years in a row! - ?Lv 71 decade ago
Hissing always means your bird is scared and threatening you. Put her veggies in a smaller cup instead of hand feeding her, and encouraging biting. When she does bite, don't give her three chances. Put her back in her cage right away, and ignore her for a while.
She may not like belly rubs, but I bet she enjoys head and crest rubs, because she can't reach those places herself.
- 1 decade ago
the trick is every time she bites someone reward her with a cyanide pill. this will stop her from biting people.
- 1 decade ago
