Jolly and Maya training update and blooper reel

Thought I would update you guys on my ekkies' training. In their individual threads, I included videos of Maya and Jolly learning to drop colored rings into my hand upon request.

There has been significant progress, though I hadn't had the chance to upload the videos... until now. (Don't ask me why I once again took videos while draining the fish tank for a water change. So pardon the noise. I didn't notice until watching, later. I contemplated waiting until I did another, then just shrugged my shoulders and figured, "... meh.")

This first is the latest variation of that trick as performed by Mr. Jay, known as Search and Retrieve. [ame="https://youtu.be/4tNR25S66iw"]Jolly Search and Retrieve, Red Ring - YouTube[/ame]

And the next is part update, part blooper reel. Maya loves messing with me, but I'm not sure if that was the case here, or if she genuinely just had a "What was I doing, again?" moment. Either way, you get to see her rather unhurried diva pace as she does what she does, and you also get to see the level of her comprehension as she processes what I'm telling her. [ame="https://youtu.be/qE-8zC17suM"]Forgetful Maya - YouTube[/ame]

And finally, another blooper reel moment with Jolly as you catch a glimpse of his sly side. [ame="https://youtu.be/-i84_jXn00c"]Jolly Double Dip - YouTube[/ame]

There's another aspect to this trick that I've managed to teach Maya, and am still trying to teach Jolly, but I haven't gotten it on video, yet. I will soon, though.

Stephen, I LOVE those videos!! Wow, they are so smart, and I do think Maya may have been messing with you just a tad..lol
And Jolly, he's like, see Dad, I moved it, MORE TREATS!
Looking forward to seeing more videos, and I'd love to see video of your tank too.

Most impressive!!

Clever Jolly! He knows how to get more than just one treat out of you for extra special effort(s). HAHAHAHA!!!

GREAT clips! Thoroughly enjoyed them.

Very impressive, indeed! Love the videos.

Thank you, Terr, Wendy and Shawna!

I love the heck out of those two, and seeing them learning more and more fills me with so much pride. I'm really proud of them.

Yeah Terr, I do wonder if Maya was messing with me, too. She has such a dry sense of humor, that one.

And Wendy, I absolutely love how clever Jolly is. Such a little rascal!

Funny little tidbit. The search and retrieve training has opened Jolly up to a whole new world of mischief. Believe it or not, Jolly has always viewed me as his pathway to food. To the point where I could leave the cup containing the broken up nuts that I use as their training treats open and unattended without fear of his disturbing it! He used to get excited when I would reach into the cup, knowing that he was just a trick away from receiving a treat, but he'd never endeavor to cut the middle man (me) out of the equation.

Until last Saturday.

Don't you know that I went up to my room for a minute to get something, only to return to find this... rascal with his head submerged to his shoulders in the cup?!? Uh-huh. Left some crumbs at the bottom, but needless to say he'd gone WAY over his allotment for the day. Unbelievable.

And that's not the only negative training side-effect! I've taught Maya and Jolly to flip upside down on my finger and hang until being flipped right side up. Maya is comfortable doing this going backward or forward.

Unforeseen consequence? Maya can be a little willful about getting off my hand from time to time. I'm talking about the IRON grip of her little feet when she wants to stay with me. Not usually a big deal, as I can sweet talk her into getting off of me eventually. But when time is of the essence and there is some urgency, I have historically made her step down by putting her chest to the perch or having her step backwards by putting the pressure of the perch slightly against the backs of her legs. Not my preferred actions, but sometimes necessary.

Well. No longer an option. Smh. Why? Because the little rogue will simply stop fighting the pressure and just FLIP ON MY FINGER! Yep, just like her clueless parront taught her. Backward... forward... it's all the same to her. Sigh...

Stephen,

Those videos are brilliant!! There is a lot going on there for Jolly to achieve that trick, and with Maya, be it mistake or intentional, her ability to go back to the task shows good training.

I really love hearing of the side effects, reminds me very much of my guys, no benefit comes without a price...lol.

Cheers,

Cameron

Doc, your training skills are truly inspiring! A big thumbs up to the three of you! Wow, excellent videos too. Mr. Jay slyly setting you up for the great treat cup raid, clever thinking on his part! I couldn't have possibly denied him the extra treat. That Maya, she is such a lovely girl and obviously knows it and takes every advantage. I grinned from ear to ear watching her moves while carrying out her mission.

Loved the side effects of training. More proof of how intelligent they really are. They never miss a chance to play us.

camo said:

Stephen,

Those videos are brilliant!! There is a lot going on there for Jolly to achieve that trick, and with Maya, be it mistake or intentional, her ability to go back to the task shows good training.

I really love hearing of the side effects, reminds me very much of my guys, no benefit comes without a price...lol.

Cheers,

Cameron

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Thanks, Cameron!

"...no benefit comes without a price." So true with these clever little guys, no? The more they learn to work through challenges, the greater their capacity for problem solving grows. Sometimes even problems you wish they didn't solve. Hahaha!

Allee said:

Doc, your training skills are truly inspiring! A big thumbs up to the three of you! Wow, excellent videos too. Mr. Jay slyly setting you up for the great treat cup raid, clever thinking on his part! I couldn't have possibly denied him the extra treat. That Maya, she is such a lovely girl and obviously knows it and takes every advantage. I grinned from ear to ear watching her moves while carrying out her mission.

Loved the side effects of training. More proof of how intelligent they really are. They never miss a chance to play us.

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Thank you, Huckleberry!

You're right. Maya does take full advantage. That languid way in which she moves is so expressive of her personality. As though she's doing as I ask, but only because doing so pleases her. Hahaha! Every bit the Diva.

Stephen, that's wonderful! Really made my day. I'm in awe of you, good sir. Harness training video next?

Please do keep the updates coming:smile035::bunny7:

Thank you, Chris! Very much appreciated!

Glad you enjoyed the videos of my Eclectic Duo. And yes, I'll eventually do a harness video as well. Just not sure whether or not it'll be my next. (I think I need more practice than Maya at this point. I fumble too much. Lol)

Great job Stephen! How long did it take for Maya and Jolly to grasp the concept of bringing the red ring to you? Maya was a crack up. Definitely messing with you .

I had to laugh about the downside of Maya learning to swing from your finger! Haha that's hilarious if she doesn't want to be set down! That's pretty impressive that she learned that. Does she have a natural tendency to hang down when on your finger?

Great to see your beautiful fids in action .

RavensGryf said:

Great job Stephen! How long did it take for Maya and Jolly to grasp the concept of bringing the red ring to you? Maya was a crack up. Definitely messing with you .

I had to laugh about the downside of Maya learning to swing from your finger! Haha that's hilarious if she doesn't want to be set down! That's pretty impressive that she learned that. Does she have a natural tendency to hang down when on your finger?

Great to see your beautiful fids in action .

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Thank you, Lady Jules!

It didn't take very long at all. The original basic step of dropping the ring directly into my hand without walking over to me or anything probably took the longest. But once they got the concept, everything else was just a matter of building on that foundation.

Currently, I'm working on teaching them to carry the ring over to the cup and place it in there. Effectively the opposite of what they're doing, now. Maya understood immediately and pulled it off on the first try. No hesitation, no confusion. Just that relaxed, graceful pace gait as she made her way to the cup. Jolly, on the other hand, got a little confused. Of course, I had to terminate that session before its true conclusion since that was the day he decided to pilfer the majority of his treats while I was out of the room. That put a swift end to that session. But we'll give it another go soon.

As for that sly Maya hanging from my finger, she rarely just does it in a "just because" kind of way. She'll do it if I initiate, or if I'm urgently trying to get her on her perch, of course. But most of her upside down play takes place on her toys.

I'm really glad you enjoyed the videos!

that was awesome.

Thanks, Uglow! Much appreciated!

I can't tell you how happy my heart is seeing these. They both look great! Please give Jolly a big kiss from his first mommy <3

labell said:

I can't tell you how happy my heart is seeing these. They both look great! Please give Jolly a big kiss from his first mommy <3

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And I can't tell you how happy MY heart is seeing you, hereabouts! Thank you, Laura, and I'll make sure to deliver that kiss for you.

Great job Stephen! I love the videos! Maya is my kind of girl...hehehehehe!

Thanks, K1! I figured you'd like her sass. Hahaha!

I am so impressed!
Could you please teach the Rickeybird via Skype? Kidding!

Hahaha! Sure. Maybe we can make it an exchange program. Rickeybird can teach Jolly and Maya how to sing J.Lo's "Big, Big Booty"! (Yeah, I saw that little video. Hilarious!)