How to clicker train a bird that only wants to cuddle on you????

Aloha071687

New member
Jul 25, 2011
20
0
Ottawa, Ontario
Parrots
Soon to own a GCC :)
Hi everyone,
So I'm still relatively new to this site, but I'm already learning a ton! My fiance and I brought home our first fid, a 3 month old female green cheek conure! We drove 8 hours to get her, and from the minute she got into the car with us on the way home, it was all snuggling and cuteness! She bonded to us from the minute we got her home! We've only had her 2 days now, but all she wants to do is sleep on my chest. She loves it when I place my one hand over her back, keeping her toasty, while I rub her cheeks and head with the other. How do I get her to be more independent and play with her toys? We purchased 350$ in toys and she has a huge cage, but whenever I'm in sight she chirps and flutters around trying to get my attention so she can come out of the cage.

I also bought a clicker and we have sunflower seeds (only for training treats), and I tried to start with her today but she didn't want any of it. I clicked and gave her a treat several times, so she realizes that the click means a treat is coming, but all she wants is to fly over to me and cuddle up in my hair or on my chest. How do I clicker train her when all she wants is to cling to me?? As soon as the cage door opens BAM she's stuck to me like glue! While this is adorable and I love that she is so attached to me already, I want to be able to train her to do various things.

Thank you all for any help and suggestions!!

Oh and here's a pic of our little sweetie. Her name is Skittles :D
 

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nofearengineer

New member
Sep 8, 2010
575
1
Parrots
Gandalf - CAG (1997-2010) R.I.P. my baby boy.
Bitty - CAG (2 yrs old? and working on spoiling her rotten)
She is definitely cute!

Don't worry about her. As she gets older, she will get more independent.

Enjoy her "baby" time, as it won't last forever.
 

Leahzebelle

New member
Aug 7, 2011
26
0
Vancouver, WA.
Parrots
1 Goffins Cockatoo. 1 Green Cheek Conure. 3 Parakeets.
I've read that you can sit and play with the toys yourself to teach your baby to play with them. They learn by example. Munch on sunflower seeds yourself, when she becomes interested offer her one. My GCC finds things more appealing if i put it between my lips (careful though, our saliva is dangerous to our babies) and let him grab it. He LOVES hemp seeds, i dunno if you can find those anywhere near you, but a couple bird shops around here sell them in bulk. Try different treats for your Skittles. But like nofearengineer said, don't worry about it. She'll find her own way with some guidance.
 

Haylie

New member
Apr 20, 2012
6
0
Michigan
Parrots
Stormy, Blue Crowned Conure
have you tried target training? Get a small stick (like a kabob stick or a chopstick) and click and reward for your bird touching the end of the stick. This helps them start understanding the clicker and thinking through the process of what gets them the treat!
 

QuackQuack

New member
Oct 20, 2011
385
0
Midwest USA
Parrots
KITTY: Pineapple Green Cheek Conure (2 year old)
BODE: Nanday Conure (5 years old)
KIWI & BLUE: English Budgerigars (RIP after 10 years)
I know it is sooo sooo hard when they are so cute and only want to snuggle, but be careful not to give her more attention than you plan to in the future because she will grow to expect you to hold her all day if you are now! Congrats and Pics?!
 

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