Spoiled?

[Mango]

I've been with my 7 month old Blue and Gold Macaw for two months. He loves cuddling, chewing and practicing my voice tone. When am I spoiling him too much? I'd like to be able to travel, but he is so attached to our rituals and meal time and bed time I wonder in I will ever find anyone to keep him when I'm gone. How do all of you handle this issue?

[birdgirl]

well I'm really never gone and when I am I have my mom and 13 year old sister take care of Hamlit. all I can tell you is to start changing things slowly do you live with any one?? if you do get one or more people in your home to start doing step ups with your bird (with out you in the room) and have the other person/people start spending more time with the bird.
I hope this helps :)

[Jenny]

Yeah, that can be a real problem when you've spoiled your bird way too much! Thankfully, it's not too late to keep him from being spoiled, and you probably haven't yet. In order to be able to travel without bringing Mango along, he needs to learn how to play on his own, be away from you, and do fine around other people and places. When you're at home do not let him think he's the center of the universe!!!! That is a big mistake. When you get home, don't go straight to his cage and let him out, although you can talk to him. Do a few things first, then let him out to play with you. Otherwise he thinks that you exist only to serve him. It's good that you have somewhat of a routine with him, but dont' do everything at the exact same time, and keep his day varied. If he doesnt' know how to play on his own, make sure you teach him. When birds depend on their human in order to keep themselves occupied, they are more likely to feather pick, scream, etc. when they're taken away. So, make sure you have a large play stand he can play on and many toys that he knows how to play with in his cage when you're away. Next, I'd suggest taking him to the grocery store (if they don't mind) and other safe places on a bird harness (the ones with the built-in diapers will make places more macaw-friendly), so he can get used ot going different places and being around all sorts of things. Better yet, have other people take him out without you being around, so he gets to know them too. Also, have other people play with him at home with you out of sight. If you do all these things for awhile then next take him to friends' houses, preferably where you have in mind for him to stay when you travel (or, if it's at a vet clinic where you want him to board, take him there). Go there for a few hours with him, then come back. After one or two times of that, let him spend the night there if possible. Case in point, one of my conures in his old home was left by himself in a small cage not knowing how to occupy himself being used to being the center of attention and getting everything he wanted, only to have the owners come back from their vacation and see him nearly completely naked with feathers on the floor of his cage! You do NOT want that to happen, trust me!!! Birds also have started nasty screaming habits similar ways, which are horrible to try to deal with too!

[birdygirl]

but it can go to far. I spoil my birds. But They understand that I need to go places and do things. They are fine with that. I'm not quite sure what you would do but teach him to play.

[Jenny]

I was just using the grocery store as an example. No, I personally have never seen anyone bring their bird grocery shopping because first of all I live in Kansas and not too many people have parrots and second of all, I hardly ever go to the grocery store anyway and thirdly,the percentage of people who have parrots and keep them in the same place their whole life far outweighs the percentage of owners who include their birds with them in activities. I don't see why it'd be too extreme? I know of many people who take their parrots to the beach, the airport, shopping, etc. and it is terrific for getting birds used to many different people and places, and "socialized". If you take birds on vacations with you, why woudl a short trip to the grocery store be too extreme? Some birds I would not recommend taking places like this if they are particularly shy or easily scared, but for the majority it is a very interesting, fun, stimulating experience as well as a good bonding time with their owner. If parrots really are as smart as 3-4 year olds, they need to do other things besides sitting in one place in one surrounding their whole life.

[birdygirl]

comes to the petstore with me. She helps me teach Sunday School and she came to teach my class about birds. She comes outside onher leash and loves to visit the twins. They get enthusiastic about her and forget what they were doing to come pet her.(Remember the bubble incident.) She also went to get her picture taken with Santa Claus. Actually by taking your birds different places they get better socialized.

[jackie]

i've brought my birds to pet stores, picnics, parks, car rides, camp, and any where else that will let me take them.