How long does target training take?

I used a clicker with my IRN frequently when I first got him but never
really progressed from there, I'm not really sure if he ever understood
what the clicker meant.

I just bought a clicker/target training stick combo, the clicker sounds pretty
similar to the one I used to use. How long do you think it will take to target
train him from here?

That all depends on the bird - sorry, there are no set schedules for it.


(my macaw just loves to chase the stick and tries to kill the end part, I am not even sure she even noticed the clicking sound - she is way to focused on chasing 'this thingy' ... so I am not having any luck there ... )

The majority will pick it up in 5-10 minutes. It’s painfully easy for them and you.

Have you spent time just clicking and giving treats every time so he knows the click means a treat?

A clicker can work, but I find it easier (and more practical, unless you are planning to carry a clicker around constantly with you) to just use a phrase for praise. 'Good boy! afnd then give a treat. 'Good birdie!' and give a treat.

Once you get your bid to understand what happens when you say good boy/bird, he will learn to associate that with a treat in the same sense of he hears the clicker and knows he will get a reward. Once he understands that, target training is relatively simple, and can be learned in one or two training sessions.

Consistency is key -- do it every day and your bird will be a pro in no time!

Jottlebot said:

Have you spent time just clicking and giving treats every time so he knows the click means a treat?

Click to expand...

Absolutely true, this is called “charging”. If you don’t charge the clicker it will never work.

itzjbean said:

A clicker can work, but I find it easier (and more practical, unless you are planning to carry a clicker around constantly with you) to just use a phrase for praise. 'Good boy! afnd then give a treat. 'Good birdie!' and give a treat.

Once you get your bid to understand what happens when you say good boy/bird, he will learn to associate that with a treat in the same sense of he hears the clicker and knows he will get a reward. Once he understands that, target training is relatively simple, and can be learned in one or two training sessions.

Consistency is key -- do it every day and your bird will be a pro in no time!

Click to expand...

You know, I’m a big advocate of this, the science certainly backs this up. But I’ve been curious about it lately so I asked a trainer. They said that while it is technically true, they find that The use of a clicker has the added bonus of setting the tone, I way of saying this is training time. They find it gets the birds more focused than just using a verbal cue.

I personally do see value in this and is making me question some of my approaches in this respect.

Jottlebot said:

Have you spent time just clicking and giving treats every time so he knows the click means a treat?

Click to expand...

I spent a while doing that when I first got him and continued
doing it occasionally for some time after that. The new clicker
sounds very similar to the old one just quieter so I went straight
into the target training this time around.

He tries to chew on the target training stick but he does the same
with anything that enters his cage so I'm not really sure if he
comprehends that he is being rewarded for doing so or not.
I've only been target training him for a few days so far but I'm
not sure if he's progressed at all or if it's too early to expect
anything yet.

I'm looking forward to teaching him to return to his cage because
so far it's been a battle of wits whenever I've wanted him to go back.
I have to regularly adopt new strategies to trick him into returning
because he figures out what I'm doing after a few times.

I also use my voice. I don’t have enough hands to manage bird, clicker, etc. I set the training tone by saying “Do you want to play?” And then “here’s your free one” and giving her one treat (I usually use millet).


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In general: I strongly suspect they used to pester/tease/torture (not sure of the right word to use here) Sunny by first offering and then withdrawing food or snacks-- because every time she knows I am holding something special (pinenuts) she goes in full attackmodus and forgets all about playing or focus on training.
FOOOOOD MINE GIIIIIVE NOOOOW
that makes her extremely fooddriven, but also untrainable


(even right after dinner when she is full)


==


I don't think they are suposed to chew the stick, just touch it.
(Chewing is a reward as well, so I can imagine he gets confused)

Hi there zombie thread!

I'm trying to train my tiel to target train. I find that an enthusiastic "GOOD JOB!" is easier, but I think it may be worth it to click.

Anyway, today I've just tried to get Peekaboo to not be afraid of the stick.

I have one of those telescopic training things with a ball on the end and a clicker in the handle.

Once it stopped fleeing the stick, I tried to get it to "give it a tap" with its beak. Any touch or bite was rewarded.

But I don't think the bird had had its Helen Keller at the water pump moment, yet. It will try to get around the pointer to the treat and doesn't know that tap=treat.

I'll try again tomorrow.

I'm still at the stage of rewarding for looking my general direction 😆 so I'd guess you're doing fine! If he's already touching the stick here and there in his attempts to figure out how to get to the treat, that's good progress in my opinion. Keep up sessions a few times a day and he'll surprise you when he Gets It