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Re: Annoying high piched sound
Posted by karen on 9/29/08

On 9/29/08, Randy wrote:
> On 9/29/08, Sandie Parker wrote:
>> Hello. I am looking for some advice to stop my 7 year old
>> male CAG from making this horrible high pitched noise
>> everytime my husband walks into the room, especially if he
>> is in his cage at the time. Once he is on a perch stand
>> in the family room, or where ever and my husband is in
>> there also, he stops making the sound. This just started
>> about 3 to 4 months ago. I have read to ignore it, we
>> have tried that and it doesnt seem to be working. I am
>> home with Keeta all day and he never makes that sound,
>> only when my husband is home. It is getting so bad with
>> hubby that he feels the bird is taking over our home and
>> that if he is in his cage which is in the kitchen, hubby
>> cant even be in that room. I know Keeta adores my husband
>> and loves being a part of the "flock", and is a very
>> smart, talkative, healthy Grey, but this bird sound that
>> he makes could break an ear drum and we need a plan.
>> If you have any advice, I would love to hear it. Thank
>> you so much.
>> Sandie
>
> advice , because there is no aggression involved is for your
> husband to immediately go over to the cage and immediately
> let him out because you say that the yelling stops once he's
> out.


Ouch, responding as suggested above will reinforce the
behavior.
You want to redirect not reinforce
If you can open the cage door when the bird is quiet & calm
that is best.
But if the frenzy has started & you feel you must do something
try to redirect
When the bird makes the "bad" sound reply with a "good" sound.
This works wonders with Grays
I like "woohoo" as a contact call. (good sound)

If as you walk to the cage and the bad sound starts
Stop in your tracks, respond with the good sound
If he gives the bad sound, take a step back respond with good
sound
With each bad sound take a step away & respond with good sound
-the TV radio etc. must be off & no one else to distract from
this training
I had to back to the far end of the house & respond
with “woohoo” for about 2hr. before I got the desired “woohoo”
back. Then I dashed to his cage, got him out & we did our
happy dance. If the bird tries to make the sound or becomes
quiet reward that also
-Be consistent-
I do not open the cage to the "bad" sound and respond with
the "good" sound when the bird tries the “good” sound reward
him. Let him out give a nut, or whatever he likes best
I like woohoo as my good sound as I know 2 people who also
used this teaching tool
There mistake was the good sound did not work out so great
One used MOMMY
And the other used LET ME OUT
It is too harsh to hear a bird demand something LOUD in English
Something easy, sing song and easy on the ears is best
best of luck & teach with love

Posts on this thread, including this one

• Annoying high piched sound, 9/29/08, by Sandie Parker.
• Re: Annoying high piched sound, 9/29/08, by Randy.
• Re: Annoying high piched sound, 9/29/08, by karen.
• Re: Annoying high piched sound, 9/29/08, by Sandie Parker.
• Re: Annoying high piched sound, 9/29/08, by Sandie Parker.
• Re: Annoying high piched sound, 9/29/08, by Sandie Parker.