Want them to stop biting?

[miss_missy]

I was told if you want your budgie to stop biting, get a squirt bottle. and put it on stream .. when yougo in the cage to get them and an they try to bite, spray them , dont use mist. because they like mist... I am going to try this.. starting tonight to see how they react. thought i would let you guys know i herd that, and people say it works... unless you have a bird that loves water... lol:D

[Bea]

I've heard of that too but i think that it's not a very wise idea. Water is something that should be a positive thing for budgies, in all forms. By using water as a punishment it could make them afraid of bathing or possibly even drinking. The best and most fool proof way to get a budgie to stop biting is to ignore all bad behaviour. It's important that no matter how hard tey bite and no matter how long it lasts that you don't react at all! By reacting the budgie learns that if they bite you withdraw or do a silly dance or scream, this is getting them what they want. No reaction eventually will teach them that no matter how much they bite it wont change a thing.

[Bobbys girl]

I find it very hard to ignore my budgies biting. When I put my hand anywhere near him (even trying to finger tame) he bites so hard it draws blood. How can you ignore that??? I have little sores all over my hands from trying to finger tame, and it is becoming a little frustrating now. He freaks out if I even touch the cage, yet he will quite happily climb all over me and chew my clothes, necklace, glasses etc. Would you have any other suggestions to stop this biting???

[miss_missy]

i use gloves
:)

[Erinalane]

I would wear a light fabric so that it still looks like your hand/fingers but will protect you. Also, I heard that when they are on your finger and bite you, if you drop them down an inch quickly, it stops them from knawing on them. Now I know this is reacting, but they don't seem to like it because it throws them a little off balance, and it workds for my bird and we are very good friends otherwise. I am sure you will hear a lot of suggestions and info... good luck! :)

[Bea]

I don't like using gloves because gloves are often scarier than hands to a budgies and makes them afraid meaning they are likely to bite more. Also, the only use that i can see for gloves would be if you were actually holding the budgie which there's not really any need to do in taming. Being held can be very stressful for a budgie especially during taming when it can be harmful to your relationship, the last thing you want to do in the early stages of taming is stress the budgie out and cause it to view you as scary. I know bites hurt like ****, believe me, i've had blood drawn a few times and little budgie latched tightly on the the skin between my fingers but ignoring is the most effective way of stopping biting. I also like the drop technique that Erinalane mentioned, by dropping you distract them from biting but this would only work if you have a finger tame budgie to begin with.

Bobbys Girl - if it's only your hands that cause the biting you could possibly take a step back and perch train him. :) It's exactly the same as finger taming but use a little perch rather than your finger, then the perch will suffer and not your fingers. You also mentioned that he goes nuts if you even touch his cage, do you mean freaking out in a scared way or in a way that trying to scare you away? If he acts aggressive while in his cage then you should ensure he's getting at least 10 hrs dark each night and change toys and perchs around in his cage at least once a week (if you don't already), both these should help reduce cage territorial-ness.

[miss_missy]

well my boy bird will get on my hand alot. but wont come out of the cage so .. I am just going to have him on my finger. then put him back on his perch. and just keep doing that so he knows i will not hurt him...

[Bea]

That's a good idea. :)

A general tip, try not to ever grab your budgie from it's cage during the taming process as this can scare a budgie really bad. If your budgie is REALLY flighty then maybe consider getting it's wings clipped but most of all go back to the beginning, just sit by it's cage reading or talking quietly to it, move in baby steps with the training process until you can do everything without frightening your budgie.

[rude-girl]

dont spray it just hold his beak down 4 2 sec and keep doing it and say 2 it NO BITING

[Amy]

That might work, but if you do it too hard you may hurt him and he may bite more. Why do you need to hold your budgie? Is it necessary?

[Mistyoriline]

Well I go with using a perch for now ...I know those bites must hurt.

[alicia]

well i don't know what to say hmm... hmmm... my budgies have never bitin me even from the start but useing water since they are already afraid of water not make them more afraid