GS>This is the third atempt at this Echo.
This is the first message I've seen from you--Fidonet must be eating
mail again...
Welcome to Parrots! I'm the moderator. Congrats on getting a Grey--many
of the users here have at least one (some have multiples...I don't have
any...).
GS>The Lady was having problems and needed to find a home for her Baby, She
GS>wanted some one who would love and look after it and give it a good Home.
GS>We are working hard toward this, but thought it would be nice if we could
GS>inter-act with others who have and love birds.
That's exactly why we're here!
GS>years ago.  At first Sleebee that our gray wanted little to do with me
GS>other than to let her out of the cage and put her back in when she wanted
GS>any loving and petting she received she wanted from the wife.  I was home
GS>last week and over the long weekend and now she will let me handle her any
GS>way I wish with in reason of course, and she nips at the wife when she
GS>tryes to pet her.  Now the wife thinks she hates her, I have tould here no
GS>that she just needs to work with me and Sleebee in the evenings and get
GS>her used to being passed between us.  Am I right or am I missing
GS>something?
Sleebee was probably a "woman's bird" at first, having lived with the
lady for 5+ years. She's probably just confused, and if corrected early,
there should be no lasting problems.
When you spent the weekend working with the bird, was your wife away? If
so, she may be angry with your wife for leaving her behind. If not, then
it sounds like she's just decided she likes you better.
When she nips at your wife, are you holding her at the time? If so, then
put the bird immediately down and walk away. Let her know that this is
unacceptable behavior and she'll be put down and left alone for a few
minutes when she exhibits it.
If she nips at your wife when she's NOT being held, then your wife needs
to make her understand that EITHER of you are to be allowed to pick her
up. Have your wife take her to a neutral place (on your bed is
good--it's soft), and pick the bird up, put her down, pick her up
again--over and over until she comes to your wife without protest.
Don't have her work with the bird for more than a few minutes--their
attention span is pretty short. Every time she steps up nicely, she
should be given a TINY bit of a treat and praised highly. You should not
be around when she does this--leave the two of them alone in the room.
Once she goes to your wife nicely when you're NOT present, then try
passing her back and forth between you a few times, each of you petting
and praising her as she does what she's asked to do.
Don't over-do it at first--this may take several 5-10 minute sessions
with your wife and the bird before they work out a relationship, and
several more 5-10 minute sessions with all 3 of you before she goes to
you both equally.
Be patient, and consistent. And reassure your wife the bird doesn't hate
her...if she keeps thinking that, the bird WILL begin to hate her! They
pick up on our feelings easier than we might expect.
Good luck with her, and welcome to Parrots!
--Kathy
 * SLMR 2.1a * The cows ate bluegrass and mooed indigo!
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