Re: Hey XTA, quick question

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Posted by xta on January 01, 2002 at 21:49:03:

In Reply to: Hey XTA, quick question posted by ECKO on January 01, 2002 at 17:54:06:

oh.... I was thinking he had reached maturity recently for some reason. In that case, you definitely need to stand your ground (or you'll have a real monster on your hands once he does!)

Grab him with a towel, hold him until he calms down, then release him when he behaves. Reward him with treats when he lets you pet him or acts pleasant. Sleestack has it down pretty well. He closes his eyes (waiting for me to leave) when he doesn't want me around! Since this behavior isn't necessarily negative-- at least not aggressive, I will pet him a little, then leave. He gets what he wants because I stop bugging him...so this behavior is reinforced. He knows that when he was younger and acted like a real pain, I would hold him until he stopped. When he head bobs at me, I pet him and kiss him on the cheek (which seems to disgust him most of the time!) He has never tail whipped.

Once he did get very mad and charged me when he was inside his cage, opening his mouth and looking ferocious... well I just opened my mouth back and acted very crazy (the 2 of us had our mouths against each other---only glass separating..this went on for like a couple minutes with neither of us moving) After I was satisfied that I didn't back down, I left him alone to cool off. I came back in an hour and he was completely normal and easily handled.

I'm not saying these techniques would work for you, but you must assert your dominance (while still being nice)... you'll figure out your own ways. Now if he is always higher up than you (on a shelf) then he will think he is a bad@ss... It is good to deal with him when he is at least at eye level or slightly lower (taming purposes) Remember, if he is on the ground and you tower above him, he will feel threatened though too (so it is a balance).

Good luck... sounds like yours is going to take some serious time and effort!

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: oh.... I was thinking he had reached maturity recently for some reason. In that case, you definitely need to stand your ground (or you'll have a real monster on your hands once he does!) : Grab him with a towel, hold him until he calms down, then release him when he behaves. Reward him with treats when he lets you pet him or acts pleasant. Sleestack has it down pretty well. He closes his eyes (waiting for me to leave) when he doesn't want me around! Since this behavior isn't necessarily negative-- at least not aggressive, I will pet him a little, then leave. He gets what he wants because I stop bugging him...so this behavior is reinforced. He knows that when he was younger and acted like a real pain, I would hold him until he stopped. When he head bobs at me, I pet him and kiss him on the cheek (which seems to disgust him most of the time!) He has never tail whipped. : Once he did get very mad and charged me when he was inside his cage, opening his mouth and looking ferocious... well I just opened my mouth back and acted very crazy (the 2 of us had our mouths against each other---only glass separating..this went on for like a couple minutes with neither of us moving) After I was satisfied that I didn't back down, I left him alone to cool off. I came back in an hour and he was completely normal and easily handled. : I'm not saying these techniques would work for you, but you must assert your dominance (while still being nice)... you'll figure out your own ways. Now if he is always higher up than you (on a shelf) then he will think he is a bad@ss... It is good to deal with him when he is at least at eye level or slightly lower (taming purposes) Remember, if he is on the ground and you tower above him, he will feel threatened though too (so it is a balance). : Good luck... sounds like yours is going to take some serious time and effort!

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