When is it best to start harness training with albie?

Am I best waiting until he's finished his moult so he's more comfortable or should I start as soon as? I'm finding info on how to train him but nothing really in regards to his moult.

Please help.

I would wait until he has finished his moult. I know my conures are super cranky when they have pin feathers so I'd imagine it would make it harder to harness train.

Talven said:

I would wait until he has finished his moult. I know my conures are super cranky when they have pin feathers so I'd imagine it would make it harder to harness train.

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Agreed--
I mean, you could start getting him used to seeing it and touching it with his beak/rewarding that sort of thing ( if he isn't too cranky) but I wouldn't try to put it on until his feathers are less sensitive.

noodles123 said:

Talven said:

I would wait until he has finished his moult. I know my conures are super cranky when they have pin feathers so I'd imagine it would make it harder to harness train.

Click to expand...

Agreed--
I mean, you could start getting him used to seeing it and touching it with his beak/rewarding that sort of thing ( if he isn't too cranky) but I wouldn't try to put it on until his feathers are less sensitive.

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Yes basically as soon as possible but allow All Sorts of time for him to get Used to just the existence of the thing. So starting now gives plenty of time to wait till moult all-done before attempting to put it on...

Thanks guys, he's surprisingly good natured while he's moulting... I was expect a full on grouchy wings that would get mad with us at any given minute. How ever it might be because we don't force interactions with him so he comes to us when he wants (which is most of the time!) I'll be ordering him his harness tomorrow!

What is harness training? and why?

birdiemama said:

What is harness training? and why?

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Harness training exposes a bird to wearing a harness in a very slow (step-by-step) desensitization process so that you can safely take them outside etc with harness on (like a bird leash that goes under their wings and around their chest). A clipped bird can still fly outdoors in many cases (even if they cannot fly inside). It has to do with winds, heights etc...and so if you take them out, you need them to be harnessed even if you think they won't fly away (as something could startle them and cause them to bolt, no matter how bonded they are....and then they can have trouble getting back even if they want to).

Right a bird that flies away doesn't know the way back, if its not had the opportunity to learn it. its not like a dog, that has a scent to follow. Birds have to put the way home to memory in the wild (one of the reasons they're so smart); parrots raised indoors who have not flown around the neighborhood oftten get lost and just keep flying. Speaking as one who lost a very precious companion parrot - trian your parrot to wear a harness.

thank you so much. i think i'll be looking into a harness! my bird is about 3 months old and never even seen a harness. is this a good time to start harness training? how old is too old to start? Also, is there any suggestions as to which type of harness? I've been looking at them and there all sorts of prices and seem to be a few different designs. Thanks.

I don't think there is such a thing as too old to learn. Rather it just takes a bit longer to learn.

I chose the aviator harness it was pricy but seems to be the best on the market.

I only really found out about harnesses thanks to wrench when I was watching a video of him doing so trick trading with his amazon salty and I've finally got around to doing it.

birdiemama said:

thank you so much. i think i'll be looking into a harness! my bird is about 3 months old and never even seen a harness. is this a good time to start harness training? how old is too old to start? Also, is there any suggestions as to which type of harness? I've been looking at them and there all sorts of prices and seem to be a few different designs. Thanks.

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Aviator is probably the most popular brand.

Watch some videos on how to do the training and how to work the harness. My Aviator actually came with a DVD. It's harder than it looks to get used to how they work lol (at least for me). You want to do it very gradually (like--train in steps)-- don't just try to put it on your bird...and when you finally get to the point where your bird lets you put it on, make sure YOU know how to put it on LOL AND that you have a plan for taking it off (again, easier said than done sometimes).

I have a few brands (Aviator and an Avian Web one) and they all make me very frustrated lol! But I would get your bird comfortable with the idea as soon as you can. With Aviator, you have to stick their head through a pre-sized hoop, but with some others, you clasp a hoop around their neck (almost like a necklace).. The Avian Web one SEEMED like it would be easier, but the annoying/impossible part is at the end when you have to thread the loops through the d-ring and fasten..why they didn't just use snaps or something (like on a fanny pack) confuses me...because with only 2 hands, it is hard to do this...even with a patient bird...I feel like someone needs to overhall them all and simplify these designs...maybe that is my future calling haha

Things to consider:
Never do an ankle harness
Be careful about harnesses they could chew off
Remove the leash part when putting the harness on