Kermit’s first harness adventure!

Today I decided to put the Aviator harness on Kermit and take him for his first outing. He chewed on the harness at first while he was inside but as soon as we got out of the house he mostly stopped. Since it was still too cold to leave Kermit outside for more than a few minutes, I took him to the pet store. There were many baby birds there including three lutino cockatiels, one sun conure, one cinnamon GCC, two IRNs and a cage full of budgies. Kermit made himself look big and proud to show off for the other birds. Kermit did very well overall, but he did try to fly and land on a customer — good thing I was holding the leash short!

Good for you and Kermie. Like everyone says, once they go outside, the tribulations in getting the harness on is well worth the efforts. Nice pictures too.

I think once he went outside he realized “ohhhh this is what that thing is for” and once I showed him the harness again he eagerly put his head through the loop.

Yay! I'm so happy for you both
It's great when they realise how liberating the harness is. Keep his enthusiasm up! When we first started, I'd even do small things like put the harness on, so we could walk out to the mailbox, and he loved every chance to see a big world outside the house.

That sounded like a great succes in the harnesstraining!
Well done you two.

I would not take my birds into a petshop, (imho) it's like taking your kids to the contagious diseases part of the hospital to play around in...
Petshopbirds are generally not tested on anything (and if they were the got mixed with those who aren't) so if you decide to take the risk it is of course your decision.


(Just one of those enrichment - versus - safety dilemmas.)

Oh wow congrats!! I've been MIA a while on account of a new job, so completely missed this amazing result for Sir Kermit <3

Lady Kermit's progress has stagnated... I think I may just take a plunge for a pak-o-bird instead X) ! These outings look like way too much fun.

IndySE said:

Oh wow congrats!! I've been MIA a while on account of a new job, so completely missed this amazing result for Sir Kermit <3

Lady Kermit's progress has stagnated... I think I may just take a plunge for a pak-o-bird instead X) ! These outings look like way too much fun.

Click to expand...

A Pak-o-Bird is a great idea! You can still continue to work with Lady Kermit on the harness but at least you won’t have to wait so long before you can take on outings. I really want a Pak-o-Bird for Ducky because she isn’t harness trained, but I don’t know how she would like the containment. Plus they’re very expensive so I wouldn’t want to risk Ducky not accepting it.

My boys (Ollie and Finley) both chew the harness until they're outside and forget about it immediately too. I'm glad to see Kermit is having a great time. &#55357;&#56845;

Congratulations! Great job!

So... yesterday I took Kermit on a second outing, but he chewed on the harness the whole time... I showed him the harness today and he was really cautious around it, not wanting to put his head through the loop anymore. He started chewing on the harness, then stepping back instead of putting his head through for a treat. I guess he wasn’t ready and I screwed everything up what should I do now? Just start over like he’s never seen the harness before? I’m so disappointed because the first outing was such a positive experience and now all my progress is lost.

I'd just put it on him anyways. That's what I do and after a few times they're like "oh that thing again okay whatever". I never even showed it to them before I put it on them so I didn't give them a chance to get scared of it. I've had zero fall out or ill effects from this and my bond with Finley does grow stronger when I take him paces outside with me often. I think it's a lot to expect a bird to want to put something over their head and then be fussed with while tightening ect. even for a treat. I know some birds have been trained to do that (I'm looking at you Salty) but it's a lot to ask. If I were you I'd just put it on him and that's that. If your bond is stong enough the ly won't hate you or be mad with you. Mine certainly aren't and don't even bite me when I put it on them which is actually shocking because you'd think Finley would Bite me but he doesn't. I do give them a huge pine nut after as a reward for putting up with silly mommy doing something annoying to them.

Thanks for the advice! Does Paris wear a harness?

Reluctantly but yes. We're still working on it with her to stop chewing it but to be fair she's only worn in about 3 times unlike Ollie and Finley who have worn it like 30 to 50 times.

Sometimes the bird is "just not in the mood".
Mine generally love bathing, but some days it is just *nope* *nope* *nope*, the same with the harness...


like every other trick: a bird must be ready to work with you.

Kermit is too cute!