FoxersArtist
03-23-2008, 04:43 AM
I'm doing this post per the request of Bill, but anyone else feel free to jump in as well.
Bill suggested that it is important that I communicate with Bhodi before doing anything. This is something that I have been doing since he first arrived and I think it has really helped as I have a fantastic track record of not getting bitten by him. He gave me a little warning nip a few times, but nothing hard enough to break skin where he has just dug into everyone else. My biggest concern is not really with the things I can control but other things in the environment that I cannot control.
Bill gave an example of a TV commercial coming on and suddenly becoming louder than the TV had been. This would scare bhodi out of his skin. I feel that bhodi's triggers are so many that it is impossible to spend time with him unless you are in a quiet room, by yourself, with no activity...and then the possibility of a trigger is still there when something unknown happens.
I have been trying to slowly introduce Bhodi to new things in a controlled environment (as much as that is possible) and he seems to do ok with handling one little thing at a time, as long as whatever scares him is not right next to him. He shows that he is scared but he doesn't totally flip out and bite. I can soothe him by telling him that he's alright.
Here are some of his triggers:
ANYONE other than myself in the same room, especially if they are making any movement
Any type of movement, near or far..in front or behind, side to side (This is one of his biggies)
Men & children within eyesight
Strangers in the aviary
ANY type of noise where there was quiet before
Walking in the direction of any type of noise
Shoes
Nesty places like the sofa (Poor heather had to pay so we could learn this one)
His cage - but not with me!
Floors - no matter what the situation is
Bhodi seems like a very private bird. Sometimes he seems to react out of fear and other times he is just downright offended that something has invaded his space. I am able to warn him about some things and when I do - Bill is right - Bhodi takes it a lot better. What I really worry about is things like the telephone ringing...or as Heather may recall, things like my husband walking through the front door while I am sitting with bhodi in the livingroom. I had to shout at him to leave, and to leave NOW! (Most communications to others regarding Bhodi usually include: "Do it NOW!") Anyway, Andy went back outside but made some slight noises in the front yard and Bhodi was clearly very alarmed by this. These are things I cannot control, so bhodi is going to have to overcome these things, one small step at a time.
If this bird does not learn to be less on edge...there will just be no avoiding the bite sometimes and this cannot be fun for bird as well as owner. Bhodi has a large track record for providing a need for stitches and when he isn't biting to show his fear, he's screaming. That in itself is a whole nother issue.
-Anna
Bill suggested that it is important that I communicate with Bhodi before doing anything. This is something that I have been doing since he first arrived and I think it has really helped as I have a fantastic track record of not getting bitten by him. He gave me a little warning nip a few times, but nothing hard enough to break skin where he has just dug into everyone else. My biggest concern is not really with the things I can control but other things in the environment that I cannot control.
Bill gave an example of a TV commercial coming on and suddenly becoming louder than the TV had been. This would scare bhodi out of his skin. I feel that bhodi's triggers are so many that it is impossible to spend time with him unless you are in a quiet room, by yourself, with no activity...and then the possibility of a trigger is still there when something unknown happens.
I have been trying to slowly introduce Bhodi to new things in a controlled environment (as much as that is possible) and he seems to do ok with handling one little thing at a time, as long as whatever scares him is not right next to him. He shows that he is scared but he doesn't totally flip out and bite. I can soothe him by telling him that he's alright.
Here are some of his triggers:
ANYONE other than myself in the same room, especially if they are making any movement
Any type of movement, near or far..in front or behind, side to side (This is one of his biggies)
Men & children within eyesight
Strangers in the aviary
ANY type of noise where there was quiet before
Walking in the direction of any type of noise
Shoes
Nesty places like the sofa (Poor heather had to pay so we could learn this one)
His cage - but not with me!
Floors - no matter what the situation is
Bhodi seems like a very private bird. Sometimes he seems to react out of fear and other times he is just downright offended that something has invaded his space. I am able to warn him about some things and when I do - Bill is right - Bhodi takes it a lot better. What I really worry about is things like the telephone ringing...or as Heather may recall, things like my husband walking through the front door while I am sitting with bhodi in the livingroom. I had to shout at him to leave, and to leave NOW! (Most communications to others regarding Bhodi usually include: "Do it NOW!") Anyway, Andy went back outside but made some slight noises in the front yard and Bhodi was clearly very alarmed by this. These are things I cannot control, so bhodi is going to have to overcome these things, one small step at a time.
If this bird does not learn to be less on edge...there will just be no avoiding the bite sometimes and this cannot be fun for bird as well as owner. Bhodi has a large track record for providing a need for stitches and when he isn't biting to show his fear, he's screaming. That in itself is a whole nother issue.
-Anna