What changed? Well, I decided to purchase one of Barbara Heidenriech's E-downloads. The specific one would be Train Your Parrot to Step up.
http://www.goodbirdinc.com/parrot-stepup.html
Prior to this I also wasn't the type of person to spend any amount of money on parrot training information. I figured that there was enough FREE info on the internet and what ever I couldn't figure out, I'd ask other parrot owners on some of the parrot forums I participated in. One of my early and very stressful challenges with Mabel was getting her to STEP up. When she was in the mood to oblige, things were GREAT. When she didn't feel like it, it was BAD. Her bites were the worst that I had ever experienced. Her beak would just slice into my skin like a Chef's knife. Each time she nailed me I would feel such resent and exasperation towards her. I found myself running regularly to the washroom to tend to my cuts and dealing with new ones before the old ones had a chance to heal. This irritated me very much because it was physically painful and none of it was very pretty to look at.
Occasionally I felt that it was my fault for not having pre-planned my move towards her but for the majority of the time I felt that I had no choice but to bite the bullet and accept her powerful bites. My knowledge when it came to macaws was all intellectual. NO hands on experience. I didn't want to continue living this way. I had to admit to myself that I needed help. If Mabel and I were going to make it together I needed Expert Help!! So I turned to Barbara Heidenreich's site and came across that E-download which I mentioned above. After I paid for my purchase I still felt skeptical but didn't think I had anything to lose. A few days later I finally took the time to view and read the download and this is where I was introduced to the miracles of Positive Reinforcement. I still wasn't convinced that this *stuff* was going to work but as mentioned, was skeptical enough to give it a try. Going to give it my best shot and see what materialized. It took about 4 consecutive days and 3 five minute sessions each day for Mabel and I to start understanding each other. I'm sure it happened alot quicker than that but I also kept telling myself those previous successes must have been dumb luck flukes. Yes, I was still determined to remain suspicious of Mabel but alas, I was finally convinced.
I cannot tell you how incredible this was for me. I found myself feeling less contracted around her and starting to feel my distrust and coldness melting away. After using Barbara H's ebook, I somehow saw Mabel in a very different way. I saw a parrot who was extremely intelligent and one who couldn't wait to finally have a closer relationship with me. More importantly, I finally felt empowered. I knew how to communicate requests to her and receive what I wanted in return. My days of frustration with Mabel were over and today we have a very close and loving relationship. Spending that $24.95 was the best money I've ever spent since having my severe macaw. I am so grateful and cannot believe how much I would have missed out on if not for Barbara Heidenreich. Thank you so much!!
For the rest of you, I strongly recommend the E-book mentioned above. It doesn't matter whether you are new to parrots or very experienced. What you will get out of this training material is so useful and more valuable than you could ever imagine. Basically, this E-book helped give me the tools to learn how to TRUST Mabel, HOW to communicate my requests to her, BUILD trust with her, and in return FORGE the wonderful and gratifying relationship that I have with her today. Here's a letter I wrote to my sweet Mabel back in December so you can really understand why this means so much to me. The second link explains why I named my blog` Mabel Serendipity. :)
http://mabelserendipity.blogspot.com/2011/12/note-to-my-lovely-severe-macaw-mabel.html
http://mabelserendipity.blogspot.com/2011/12/serendipity-whats-that-got-to-do-with.html
