How to tame a pet that bites and hides? Can hand-feeding help?

I’m sorry this is happening. I know it can be pretty frustrating for you. The best this to do is work with him very slowly and have lots of patience. It will take time for him to begin to trust you. The best way to gain his trust is by working with him slowly and using small pieces of his favorite treat as a reward for interacting with you. First start by giving him a treat when you approach him/open the cage door, then, once he is comfortable with this, try to pet him with one finger, then continue increasing your interactions with him along these lines. It will take him time but with persistence he will get more used to you. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Make sure she has her own safe space so she doesn’t become overly stressed (a large dog crate with food, water and litter box is perfect). Make sure all meal times are interactive and distract with food or treats when you’re trying to make physical contact. Take it slow and eventually she will become used to you being around. This website has some good tips: http://www.urbancatleague.org/TamingFerals

Thanks for reaching out about Pico and including pictures. Individual birds with respond differently to training techniques. Being the provider of treats and playful activities can gain trust. Letting Pico see you play with the other lovebird, and then want that same experience, might help also. This is a difficult one, because not all birds are tamable. Good luck. Be persistent.

I would just recommend continuing to work the rats as your are. Giving them special treats every time you interact with them and interacting with them on a regular basis will help them become more used to you. It may take up to 3 months for them to become completely comfortable with you. Don’t worry, you are doing everything right, this just takes time. Rats are usually very interactive and affectionate pets. You will get there soon!

I think what you are doing at this time is great. The more you work with him like this the more he will begin to trust you. If he is hurting you when biting you then I would stop the behavior. However, if it is just a small nip to see how you react then I think it’s ok to let the behavior continue. Whenever you a handling him use his favorite treats/snacks so he will learn that by interacting with you he gets a positive reward. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck!

It does sound like he's trying to play with her but he's being too aggressive to her, and I would recommend slowly reintroducing Lio to her. Take Lio who is aggressive, and put him in his own room with his own food, water, and litter box. Keep the door closed, and for a few days, feed them both treats on other side of door so they associate each other's smell with a good experience. Then let the other cat in the Lio's room while he is in a cat carrier. They can smell each other, but not be in contact. If either becomes upset or show signs of aggression, remove the second cat from the room, and try again later. Praise them when they interact appropriately. When they are interacting well with each other through the carrier, you can let Lio out of his room, and see how he interacts with the other cat. Praise them when they interact appropriately, and separate them with any sign of aggression or upset. I would get a cat tree with lots of shelves to give the cats vertical space to get away from each other. I would keep Lio in his room when you go out until they are comfortable with each other.

It will take time. Allow him to keep eating from your hand. Use treats to coax him onto your hand and when you pet him, do not come in from above. This can be a threatening motion for birds. Approach at or below eye level and move slowly. The female will require a bit more work in getting acclimated to your hand. You can do the same though. Use treats and rewards. Keep your hand near her, but don't try to touch her, for ever increasing periods of time. Provide additional food and water bowls to prevent resource protection.