Well, I attempted to PM you, but that somehow blow-up, so lets try here.
As you well know, one of the biggest issues is RB and how much variation between the preening he wants and what you're able to provide.
As you are well aware, you abilities are improved when you can clearly see what you are touching. That being true, getting RB in front of you, like on a table and you sitting at that table will likely provide a starting point. Point is, will RB allow or accept this positioning? For the sake of discussion, lets say /pray that he will.
Trial Run Pre-Set-Up: With a soft fur mid /small size toy, position the toy that allows you the maximum view of the length of the toy, head to tail, if you will. Now shift the toy to a position that allows you to clearly see the two fingers that you commonly use to preen RB on the toys head.
Since a bird's feathers lay in a line from the beak to the end of the tail feathers you will want to set the soft fur toy's head in a position that you can easily move your hand along that beak to tail line. Assure that you can clearly see your preening fingers! This assures that you will be working along the direction of RB's feathers. It will help if you can set the toy at an approximated height that RB's head would be at.
Trial Run Pre-Set-Up Goal: Develop a 'seen' point of contact by watching the 'drop' of the toy as your preening fingers makes contact with the toy. Clearly the greater the 'drop' the higher the contact force and likewise the smaller the 'drop' the lighter the contact force.
Once you are comfortable with find that place in space and can minimize the 'drop' of the toys head, its time for step two.
At this point, you want to develop a 'seen' action of your preening fingers working though RB's feathers (the fur on the soft toy in this case). NOTE: Crushing /removing of the feather cover is not the goal here and will likely never be! The goal is to create that soft rubbing action that helps position his feathers in the past. Think of it as a soft rub when there is no preening needed.
Step three: Develop a movement of your arm that will allow you to keep you hand (fingers) along a horizontal line as to not increase of decrease the contact pressure of the rubbing fingers.
Now combine the three actions staring with lowering into position, the soft rubbing action and the slow movement down the head, the neck and on to the upper back. Pick-up you hand and start again, but this time slightly to one side or the other of the prior starting point.
Practice, practice, practice!
As part of this, please work with RB so he is comfortable with being in the new position.
When you are comfortable, combined both RB and you new head, neck and upper back 'RUB.' Remember that a well developed feather cover will fall away with this light rub. Most of what we do with preening is to break the cover off earlier! So the end goal is still met by targeting a soft rub! Also, a soft rub will not cause RB pain because you will not be trying to break a soft cover by mistake.
If you are working with a physical therapist, talk with that person about different methods of developing the needed movements.
Prays and Hugs Good Friend!
As you well know, one of the biggest issues is RB and how much variation between the preening he wants and what you're able to provide.
As you are well aware, you abilities are improved when you can clearly see what you are touching. That being true, getting RB in front of you, like on a table and you sitting at that table will likely provide a starting point. Point is, will RB allow or accept this positioning? For the sake of discussion, lets say /pray that he will.
Trial Run Pre-Set-Up: With a soft fur mid /small size toy, position the toy that allows you the maximum view of the length of the toy, head to tail, if you will. Now shift the toy to a position that allows you to clearly see the two fingers that you commonly use to preen RB on the toys head.
Since a bird's feathers lay in a line from the beak to the end of the tail feathers you will want to set the soft fur toy's head in a position that you can easily move your hand along that beak to tail line. Assure that you can clearly see your preening fingers! This assures that you will be working along the direction of RB's feathers. It will help if you can set the toy at an approximated height that RB's head would be at.
Trial Run Pre-Set-Up Goal: Develop a 'seen' point of contact by watching the 'drop' of the toy as your preening fingers makes contact with the toy. Clearly the greater the 'drop' the higher the contact force and likewise the smaller the 'drop' the lighter the contact force.
Once you are comfortable with find that place in space and can minimize the 'drop' of the toys head, its time for step two.
At this point, you want to develop a 'seen' action of your preening fingers working though RB's feathers (the fur on the soft toy in this case). NOTE: Crushing /removing of the feather cover is not the goal here and will likely never be! The goal is to create that soft rubbing action that helps position his feathers in the past. Think of it as a soft rub when there is no preening needed.
Step three: Develop a movement of your arm that will allow you to keep you hand (fingers) along a horizontal line as to not increase of decrease the contact pressure of the rubbing fingers.
Now combine the three actions staring with lowering into position, the soft rubbing action and the slow movement down the head, the neck and on to the upper back. Pick-up you hand and start again, but this time slightly to one side or the other of the prior starting point.
Practice, practice, practice!
As part of this, please work with RB so he is comfortable with being in the new position.
When you are comfortable, combined both RB and you new head, neck and upper back 'RUB.' Remember that a well developed feather cover will fall away with this light rub. Most of what we do with preening is to break the cover off earlier! So the end goal is still met by targeting a soft rub! Also, a soft rub will not cause RB pain because you will not be trying to break a soft cover by mistake.
If you are working with a physical therapist, talk with that person about different methods of developing the needed movements.
Prays and Hugs Good Friend!
Last edited:
