[Kumiko]

Hello,

So here is where the help mostly comes in for me. Sonnie-Man is very, very scared of everything. When Sonnie-Man was younger my mom didnt introduce him to new things, so of course... Sonnie-Man was born to think everything is darn-right scarey!!

He is even scared of certain types of seeds in his food dish. :blink:

Besides being patient and clicker training (going to start up this summer because of high school), what methods or advice would you suggest?

 

[atvchick95]

Hmm I'm not too sure what to suggest, I know most tiels are skittish to begin with ( i guess its just who they are)

but I'd say slowly introduce new things to him, like take him room to room for a few mins each day and let him explore things

and with food (i found this helps with my lovebird) that if I pretend to eat the New food before giving it to her and telling her how good it tastes, and its yummy and good for her she seems not to freak out over it that way, sometimes she's still un sure about it but if i just stick something new in her cage w./out doing anything like that 1st then she'll run around and act crazy

of course its not a garauntee but it seems to help her (and i've read that lovebirds are prone to be scared to new things including food)

maybe even talking to him for anything before giving it to him , including toys, or a new room to sit in, and take something familar to a new room like a fav. toy if he has one or a play gym etc. so that way there is something familiar in the new space as well. so its not so scary

 

[allen]

i would say yes slowly intrduce as he is verry skittish that way he will even begin to trust you i myself would try some spray millet at first see if he likes that i have never seen a bird yet refuse it

 

[Bea]

With new objects you can try placing them within sight but not too near for a week, then put them near to the cage for a while, then in the cage. That would give him plenty of time to get used to the sight of it. Not sure on the food, what does he do when he's scared of something?

 

[Kumiko]

Freaks out and runs away from it like it is going to maul his face off. lol

 

[DeBree420]

one of the best ways i have found for my own tiels to get over a fear or dislike of new food, is to use reverse psychology! i get the food i want to give them, and stand or sit near them pretending to eat the food, all whyle saying how wonderfull and yummy it is... then i move slowly towards them so they are starting to get interested in what i have, then as soon as they try to come in for a closer look... i move away like the food is myne and too good to be giving to tiels, they get more and more jealous till i put the food down somewhere they can get to, and they usually turn into little cookie monsters

 

[xxxSpikexxx]

I would place things away from the cage for him to get use to and slowly move it closer, until you can put it into the cage. Is he bonded to you? Lets you give him scritches ect? I know Spike is afraid of me pulling a paper towel off of the roll :wacko: Here is an article I found that might help http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-beh...-medium-bird-behavior/curb-panic-anxiety.aspx Even though it says it is for a re homed bird it might help

 

[Kumiko]

Is he bonded to you? Lets you give him scritches ect?

No---he lets my give him head scritches, rarely... I might be able to give him a head scritch like 4 times a week.

 

[xxxSpikexxx]

Thats good that he will let you give him scritches sometimes Here is a link about bonding http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-beh...-bird-behavior/taming-budgies-cockatiels.aspx Sounds like you are doing a good job though

 

[Plukie]

Well, I think you have all the advice that you need here for a while. Slowly, slowly is the way to do it. Having said that, I seem to have one that just doesn't like hands!!! lol