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Teaching parrot to be gentle

Bastlin

Checking out the neighborhood
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9/1/14
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Hi. I have a 10 months old Sun Conure. He is very nippy and really likes chewing on everything. Whenever I put a finger near his beak he would start nipping and chewing (not out of aggression) and it would hurt. Sometimes I can't even tell a nip from a bite. He's a very friendly birds and he trusts me a lot, but I want to teach him how to be gentle in case he is around children and strangers. Is there a way to teach him to not nip so hard?

Thanks. :sun:
 

Bastlin

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9/1/14
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Oh and he knows to be gentle near my face. It's just everywhere else that he bites on.
 

vmashley03

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If one of my girls actually nips me I will put them down on a stand, turn my back and ignore them for a few mins. Once they are calm I will invite them back over to see me and they will give me a kiss (they started doing that on their own--and now if I put them down for nipping they will start making kissy noises at me :lol: ). Neither of them really bite but Charlie in particular has been a bit more nippy than usual so before she gets too excited I will put her on her couch or stand and give her something appropriate to chew on and praise her for it. Maybe redirecting your conure with a toy (or even activity like flying around) will help you as well. Also avoiding situations that you know will provoke a nip or bite will help as well.
 

Bastlin

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9/1/14
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I've tried that, but my Conure just flies to me whenever I put him down on a stand.
 

Monica

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Is he being curious? If so, always try to make sure you have some interesting foot toys, treats and foraging items with you at all times to keep his beak busy!
 
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