sdgilley
05-28-2007, 10:28 AM
Four years ago I adopted Peter, my first lovebird. It's amazing to try to think of a time when I didn't have him. Now I have 3 lovies, and he's still the funniest little bird with a firm hold on my heart. He still hangs around waiting to catch my eye (hanging upside down, looping around his perch) just waiting for me to laugh at him.
Peter is a biter. I feel for all those bird owners that have non-cuddly biters. You want to rub their little heads, but :omg: ouch!:omg: -not a good idea! But with four years under our wings...
The biting has stopped, becasue I have learned not to give him opportunities to grab my hands (and he's stopped trying to bite). I offer a sleeved arm or my head for him to visit if he's inclined. I haven't been bitten in 3 years.
He knows rescue hands from meddling hands. At the vet's office, my hands are "rescue" hands (from the evil :evil: stranger) and I can hold him if he needs me to. I've scooped him up in my hands at the vet's office and held him - which was a major shock to both of us - no bites. Hands that deliver medicine are okay, too. :)
I've had Luka (second lovie) for almost 4 years and he, too, has learned about rescue hands. It's great to earn their trust. It's great to know them and have them understand me.
We often talk about patience here in taming birds. No body really likes to hear that it takes time, too. We've become accustomed to a more instantaneous world, but some things are better with time. And somethings we don't change (like my birds bite hands). But after four years, I must say - all the patience and time has been worth it. Not being able to cuddle Peter or Luka has not diminished their ability to be enjoyable and entertaining members of my family.
Four years young!!
Peter is a biter. I feel for all those bird owners that have non-cuddly biters. You want to rub their little heads, but :omg: ouch!:omg: -not a good idea! But with four years under our wings...
The biting has stopped, becasue I have learned not to give him opportunities to grab my hands (and he's stopped trying to bite). I offer a sleeved arm or my head for him to visit if he's inclined. I haven't been bitten in 3 years.
He knows rescue hands from meddling hands. At the vet's office, my hands are "rescue" hands (from the evil :evil: stranger) and I can hold him if he needs me to. I've scooped him up in my hands at the vet's office and held him - which was a major shock to both of us - no bites. Hands that deliver medicine are okay, too. :)
I've had Luka (second lovie) for almost 4 years and he, too, has learned about rescue hands. It's great to earn their trust. It's great to know them and have them understand me.
We often talk about patience here in taming birds. No body really likes to hear that it takes time, too. We've become accustomed to a more instantaneous world, but some things are better with time. And somethings we don't change (like my birds bite hands). But after four years, I must say - all the patience and time has been worth it. Not being able to cuddle Peter or Luka has not diminished their ability to be enjoyable and entertaining members of my family.
Four years young!!