Can you train an IRN to stay on your shoulder?

Crayfish066 · Oct 29, 2017

I've seen examples of other birds perched on their owners shoulders
for long periods of time, is it possible to teach an IRN to do this?

My IRN will sit on my shoulder but usually only for a few seconds at a time
after either landing or climbing there.

The majority of his time outside the cage is spent chewing on things and if he
isn't doing this he's usually looking for something to chew on.

It would definitely come in handy if I could train him to be content with sitting
on my shoulder at times, especially considering that I plan on taking him outside once I have him harness trained.

SilverSage · Oct 29, 2017

Yes you can. You start by being sure he is getting enough physical and mental stimulation, abs then when he lands on your shoulder hand him a treat. Right away hand him another, and another, etc. gradually lengthen the time between treats, and eventually he will sit there waiting for them.

He will probably want interaction as well, not just to be ignored. Nohea wants kisses and a conversation at least if not petting.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Crayfish066 · Oct 29, 2017

SilverSage said:
Yes you can. You start by being sure he is getting enough physical and mental stimulation, abs then when he lands on your shoulder hand him a treat. Right away hand him another, and another, etc. gradually lengthen the time between treats, and eventually he will sit there waiting for them.

He will probably want interaction as well, not just to be ignored. Nohea wants kisses and a conversation at least if not petting.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, it sounds simple enough. Have you had success using this method yourself?

SilverSage · Oct 29, 2017

No; I've never needed to. My tame ringies are freaking shoulder magnets. But they were raised that way. Yours seems a bit more challenging and requires some extra effort. You are doing great and I know you will love the relationship you are building

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Theone · Oct 30, 2017

I agree with Silver Sage, my ringnecks are shoulder magnets too xD. But yea if you tame them correctly and train them with patience they will do anything you say.

clark_conure · Oct 31, 2017

I've never owned a ringneck so take this with a grain of salt.....if I wanted my GCC on my shoulder and he didn't want to do it; I'd just gently try to brush him down off....he'd be locked onto my shoulder after that. HOW DARE I!

AmyMyBlueFront · Oct 31, 2017

clark_conure said:
I've never owned a ringneck so take this with a grain of salt.....if I wanted my GCC on my shoulder and he didn't want to do it; I'd just gently try to brush him down off....he'd be locked onto my shoulder after that. HOW DARE I!

There are times I wish BB the cockatiel would stay OFF my shoulder!

Jim

Crayfish066 · Oct 31, 2017

He crawls all over me including my shoulder but he's like a hyperactive kid and can't stay in one place for more than a minute or so lol.

Notdumasilook · Nov 18, 2017

Wear a cheap hat.... gives them something to chew )

wrench13 · Nov 18, 2017

SilverSage is dead on correct. Thats how you train parrots to do anything. TREATS! I would also suggest interaction while he's on your shoulder, too. Kisses shaking hands , high fiving all can be done from the shoulder. Salty and I have a game where i use a small microfibre towel, and cover half my face and ask Where's Salty? and he gradually pulls the towel off and says peek a boo. He's on my shoulder the whole time.

Crayfish066 · Apr 22, 2018

SilverSage said:
Yes you can. You start by being sure he is getting enough physical and mental stimulation, abs then when he lands on your shoulder hand him a treat. Right away hand him another, and another, etc. gradually lengthen the time between treats, and eventually he will sit there waiting for them.

He will probably want interaction as well, not just to be ignored. Nohea wants kisses and a conversation at least if not petting.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've noticed that my IRN isn't extremely motivated by treats, he enjoys them
but will quickly lose interest unless he's trying to steal food from me that he
can't have then he won't give up until I've hidden it or eaten it.

I usually leave him a bowl of food that he can eat throughout the day and
compliment that with fresh fruit and veg once or twice a day.

Is it possible he's not so motivated by treats because he's already full up?

SilverSage · Apr 22, 2018

Crayfish066 said:
SilverSage said:

Yes you can. You start by being sure he is getting enough physical and mental stimulation, abs then when he lands on your shoulder hand him a treat. Right away hand him another, and another, etc. gradually lengthen the time between treats, and eventually he will sit there waiting for them.

He will probably want interaction as well, not just to be ignored. Nohea wants kisses and a conversation at least if not petting.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

I've noticed that my IRN isn't extremely motivated by treats, he enjoys them

but will quickly lose interest unless he's trying to steal food from me that he

can't have then he won't give up until I've hidden it or eaten it.

I usually leave him a bowl of food that he can eat throughout the day and

compliment that with fresh fruit and veg once or twice a day.

Is it possible he's not so motivated by treats because he's already full up?

It’s very possible especially if his “food” involves things like seeds.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Crayfish066 · Apr 22, 2018

SilverSage said:
Crayfish066 said:

SilverSage said:

Yes you can. You start by being sure he is getting enough physical and mental stimulation, abs then when he lands on your shoulder hand him a treat. Right away hand him another, and another, etc. gradually lengthen the time between treats, and eventually he will sit there waiting for them.

He will probably want interaction as well, not just to be ignored. Nohea wants kisses and a conversation at least if not petting.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

I've noticed that my IRN isn't extremely motivated by treats, he enjoys them

but will quickly lose interest unless he's trying to steal food from me that he

can't have then he won't give up until I've hidden it or eaten it.

I usually leave him a bowl of food that he can eat throughout the day and

compliment that with fresh fruit and veg once or twice a day.

Is it possible he's not so motivated by treats because he's already full up?

Click to expand...

It’s very possible especially if his “food” involves things like seeds.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Should I consider removing the food from his cage a couple of hours before
a planned training session? Or would that be excessive?

SilverSage · Apr 22, 2018

That’s perfectly alright. I actually recommend feeding meals instead of free feeding and having the only food left in the cage be in foraging toys.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can you train an IRN to stay on your shoulder?

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