Going outside

As soon as mother nature realizes it's JUNE and it should be WARM outside (lol) I'm going to get Jasper out asap.

Now that he's getting in his harness easier I want to take him for his first official outing in his harness. When he was much younger (and had a baby clip) he was out in my parents' backyard a couple times but that's it. It's always been in his small cage or birdie bag.

So, with that being said I have some questions about the great outdoors

Grass, trees, leaves, etc. Are any a potential danger if he decides to nibble on them?

I figure I'll just walk him a few blocks and go back the first time since I imagine he's going to be pretty scared. Is this a good method? He's not used to meeting a lot of new people so I hope he'll be ok. Living downtown is busy but the street next to me is fairly quiet.

Thanks!

Hi Katie..

I'm so happy to hear Jasper is starting to except his harness..thats wonderful news!

Amy isn't in a harness, She gets a good clip twice a year. She is an old pro at going outside and rides in the car. At times she will actually ask me "outside?in the car??"

When out in my front yard,I sit on the grass,right next to her. She will walk around and nibble on little twigs,on grubs ,and this and that lol. She is very in tune with her surroundings. One such day,she stopped in her tracks,and starting making little Amazon noises,while her head was cocked,looking up.
I looked up,and what did I see? WAYYYY up in the sky was a HAWK floating around! He was wayyyyyy up there too!

With you living in the city,I think I'd keep Jasper close to your side. If you have a park near by,take him there where it might be less crowded and quieter,so he can get accustomed to this new experience. Believe me when I say,he is going to love you even more now! I can see the difference in Amy's attitude when,and after her outside,in the car time.

Great job with the harness btw..and GOOD LUCK!


Jim

Every bird is different. I see the smaller the bird, the more they look to the sky for potential preditors. I have found that the birds in general don't mind the people rather than large trucks (due to size, sound and fast movement) or flags (or basically anything that is above you and moving). It could be all my birds are special, but none of them noticed the people and regular cars as anything to worry about.

Another thing they do tend to get "bothered" by is the wind. If it is really windy, they focus on sitting so the wind won't catch them.

My best advise for Jaspers first outing is to carry him on your lower arm instead of for instance your shoulder. This way you are covering a part of his view and he won't notice something unexpected from behind. Another benefit from this position is if he gets scared of something, you can quickly shelter him from whatever with your other arm and hopefully calm him faster, than if you need to get him down from your shoulder first.

To be honest I carry mine on my lower arm for long time when outside until I am certain (or as certain as I can be) that they are not going to get spooked at "normal" things outside.

I am sure Jasper will LOVE to come outside for walks. It eases their mind like little else.

SilleIN said:

Every bird is different. I see the smaller the bird, the more they look to the sky for potential preditors.

Click to expand...

My bird flock calls when a hawk/raven flys by {to the raven not me} LOL

YAY Jasper (and double Yay for Katie!) If you can find a bench or quiet space, go sit on it w/Jasper so he can observe. Its a whole new world for him and a lot to take in. When Wrangler first started going out he screamed a lot--my ears were ringing. He's learned his surroundings and the neighborhood inhabitants (people, pets, and wildlife) and is much quieter now--so be prepared and wear an earplug! He looks to the sky when he sees a plane or when the crows scream. He knows they mean "hawk" but their presence in general doesnt disturb him. Take note of the plants on your route but in general i have a no-nibble rule since we do have some that are poisionous (or parts) and I cant keep up with what all might be out there. You also dont know what's been treated for fungus, pests, weeds, etc. I keep a small jar of treats with me--sunflower seeds, almond slivers, and unsalted pistachios in the shell. If he's done well in a new situation I reward with the appropriate denomination. Doing well could be anything from settling down and not fussing with the harness to letting a stranger say hello to him or ignoring something. I encourage strangers to feed him so he's more social. Make sure you show them how and read his body language. In general he's not ready for others to hold him, but we're working on that. I also bring him down on my arm when around people so that he's used to being close to people at a height disadvantage.

Be aware that when frightened he's likely to dive off your shoulder---doesnt make sense but thats what they do so keep the leash short. Mine is knotted so that his tether is just a bit longer than the distance from the wrist loop to his perch on my shoulder--it's loose enough that there is no tension on him and he can move around easily but if he abandons ship i can reach him more quickly (and sometimes catch him like a yo-yo before he hits the ground). He'll take his cues from you--so walk and encourage but don't make a big fuss of things. The more normal it is the less he will be on edge. I dont make eye contact with people and its funny how many dont realize i have a bird on my shoulder because they do the same. It's helped him be around people and not get fussy because im not making it an issue. I can now take him with me on short errands, like to the bank or to my work to pick up the schedule, etc...and he doesnt make a peep. Large close crowds still bother him a bit because he has to be aware in multiple directions but in general he's fine. Keep your initial outtings short and use the same route--predictable for him and he wont get overstressed and anxious. As he starts to associate outside time with adventure and knows he's safe with you, you can expand his horizons. The best thing I can do for Wrangler when Ive had a long work week is take him with me to run errands. He loves car rides and one-on-one time with Mom--he's a great shoulder surfer. He's even a pro at the airport now---LAX and ATL are big and busy but he rides my shoulder without any fuss or noise.

Almost forgot---its a great time to teach potty training. I use a bush or trash can usually. Now when we get ready to go in a store I take him to the available area and let him poop before we enter---no accidents makes for a welcome bird.

Thanks guys

So, Jasper just had his first official outing in his harness. Let's just say things didn't go well

Only made it across the street. He was scared the second I left my apartment. I held him close and walked across the street slowly. There's construction, a lot of people, cars.

He flew off 3 times, made it to the end of the leash and either landed on the sidewalk or very roughly on a gate. I accidentally tugged the leash when he flew off the last time, hope I didn't hurt him.

Of course everyone around us was super interested to see a parrot so I just told them he was very scared and his first time out so they kept their distance thankfully. But then I turned around and brought him back home.

I feel like such a bad birdie mommy He's in his cage resting now. He's beak scrapped a few times so I know he's not totally traumatized but man. I don't know how else I am going to be able to do this where I live.

I snapped a quick picture, but I feel bad since I know how scared he was *sigh*

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVFbANvBMtu/?taken-by=katiefleming0907

Have you considered a pak-o-bird for outings? I just ordered one for Layla and she is also just now harness trained (congrats on that btw). I'm lucky that Layla is pretty fearless and loves it outside. Maybe Jasper would like the pak-o-bird and the safety and seclusion and you can still introduce him to new and exciting things? Then he may come around to going out with just the harness. Just a thought

He's beautiful Katie!

I've looked at those Pak-o-bird carriers as well. What a great idea and first step.

Yep I have one! He's gone on lots of picnics with me in one. But wouldn't it be a bit risky to put him in it first (wearing the harness) in case he got all tangled in it? Or is this a better way?

Katie,

Could you just get a chair,and sit outside your apartment,with Jasper in his harness,an hour or so at a time,until Jasper gets accustomed to all the hussle and bussle of the big city?



Jim

It will be fine Katie. If you have the pac0bird carrier already just put him in it and take him on a short walk outside. If youve had him in it for picnics he's used to it and finds it comfortable/safe. Stand in one place, near a building or fence so he can feel protected from your back and the wall...and only have two sides to watch for "predators" in this strange noisy new world. As he gets used to the noise and the bustle, start walking a bit but stay close to buildings. And LOTS of treats. Remember dog training basics...they arent training the dogs, they're training the owners....likely you're as nervous as Jasper!

Thanks guys! Will try again and use these suggestions

AmyMyBlueFront said:

Katie,

Could you just get a chair,and sit outside your apartment,with Jasper in his harness,an hour or so at a time,until Jasper gets accustomed to all the hussle and bussle of the big city?



Jim

Click to expand...

Yessssss! Jim has it exactly right. Jasper just needs a little time to acclimate to the new experience. Katie, you were in no way, shape or form a bad mom. Most birds will be scared at first. They're going from a controlled environment that they are used to, to one where new stuff is happening in 360 degree HD and surround sound! It's normal for them to be stressed. Part of the program, I'm afraid.

Just to give you an idea, here's a pic of Maya a few moments after her first time outside:


Notice the death-grip on my forearm? And the comically bulging eyes? Lol! She was extremely nervous. So I moved about VERY slowly and spoke to her in soft, reassuring tones. I waited until she'd calmed significantly before walking, again.

These pics were taken after maybe half an hour or so of coping time:




Notice the FAR more relaxed body language, the almost negligent grip, and even the cheerful inquisitiveness in the latter pics? She eventually came to enjoy her trip outside, Katie. But she needed time to adjust to the change in her circumstances.

Now granted, the time needed may vary from bird to bird. But I don't doubt Jasper will come to enjoy the trips out in time as well.

Thanks for your reply! Feeling a bit better about the experience now. I wish I was in a house with a backyard, downtown is the worst for him to get used to :/ I will try hanging out even in my apartment lobby for a few min next time. With all the people walking by that'll be more than enough. Then I'll try just outside the door again after that.

Man, what a process. I thought after months and months of harness training we'd be good! LOL

With plenty of encouragement from you and a little patience have no doubt that these teething troubles will be a thing of the past Katie. Remember it is visual and audible overload for them the first time or two. Close your eyes and just concentrate on the sounds you hear outside and imagine that for the first time. Great going btw.

Stephen love those pics of Maya.

Captions:-

No1 - "OMG, where the heck are we Dad?"
No2 - "Oh it isn't so bad, I could even be getting a little bored of it"
No3 - "Yeh getting the hang of this outside lark"
No 4 - "What's that Dad? Can I eat it?"

What a beautiful Ekkie Stephen..Yes the first pic with the bulging eyes and death grip looked like Maya was freaking out.." whats is this?Where the heck are we????"

Katie...don't beat yourself up..Jasper will come around soon enough,you'll see!




Jim

Katie, Salty spent an hour outside today in his harness. A little freaked out at first. like usual, but he calmed down after a few min. I had him both on my arm/shoulder but also on the ground, so he could feeling grass and dirt under him.

Got Jasper out again for the second time, just sat in front of my apartment like it was suggested. He was better, I also held his harness taught so he couldn't fly off at all. Anytime someone walked by he'd start flipping his wings looking terrified. He's not used to meeting anyone so gotta get used to other humans walking around haha.

Last night he flat out refused to go into his harness. I'm worried he's now associating it with hallway or outside time = terrifying. He won't even take a treat when he's outside he's too scared.

Guess I should alternate when I do get him in his harness if I just stay in the apartment or actually venture out, so he never knows for sure??

Such a chicken.

Katie give that Pak o Bird some use and Jasper will hopefully feel safe in there whilst learning about the outside. Few yummy treats in his pot also help!
No way could I take Plum out on a harness, he'd have 50 fits, always looking above for predators. He feels safe in the Pak O Bird as above is slightly covered. Keep on with putting the harness on indoors so this does not slip. Be interested to hear how you get on. Oh don't forget to keep talking to him as you walk, people think your nuts but who cares LOL.

BTW you can also wear him on your front if it is easier!