Penny won't take treats from my hand

FutureDVM

New member
Jan 20, 2012
373
1
Colorado
Parrots
Crimson Bellied Conure (Penny), Maximillian Pionus (Piper), Lovebird (Poco)
I've had Penny for a couple months now and I really feel like we have bonded. She seems to enjoy my company and I really haven't had any big issues with her so far.

Now that I've had her for a bit, I'd really like to start doing clicker training to teach her some tricks. The only problem is I can't get her to take any treats from me. I have tried several different kinds of treats to see what she likes. She will eat just about anything if I put it in her food dish, but won't take it from my hand. If I try to give her a treat, she freaks out and tries to run or fly away. I'm kinda puzzled at this point....

Any ideas on what I can do?
 

roxynoodle

New member
Dec 1, 2011
4,499
2
Hmm, that's actually Rowdy's preferred method of being given treats, and has been since day one with me. It might help if you eat it in front of her and then offer her a piece. At least that is Rowdy's thing, to get to share my meals with me. That seems more important though to her than the other birds. Merlin also likes me to hand her treats, but Pete is funny. If it's something he really wants, he will. If it's something he isn't sure about, he won't. One that is really weird with him is he will only eat almonds that are in the shell. If they aren't, he's scared of them, lol!

Do you normally eat with Penny or in another room? If you eat in another room, could you bring her in there at dinner time? Make yum yum sounds and then offer her some. If she won't take it, eat it yourself. Then in a little bit try again, instead of putting it in her dish. That way she only gets it if she takes it from you. Hope that helps
 

Mare Miller

Banned
Banned
May 14, 2011
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3
sierra foothills of central California
Parrots
13yr. old male umbrella cockatoo,
we call him Amigo!

7yr. old Goffin cockatoo, she IS Sassy!!
Mi Amigo can not be bribed, although I have tried on many occasions. If it's something he thinks he needs, at the moment, he'll accept it, but most times, he'll look at me like I'm trying to steal his soul!
 

lene1949

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Sep 26, 2011
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Brisbane, Australia
Parrots
Cory: Short billed Corella -
Echo: Galah -
Max: Alexandrine -
Skye: Yellow Sided conure -
Luka: Green Cheek Conure -
RIP Shrek: Quaker
I've had Penny for a couple months now and I really feel like we have bonded. She seems to enjoy my company and I really haven't had any big issues with her so far.

Now that I've had her for a bit, I'd really like to start doing clicker training to teach her some tricks. The only problem is I can't get her to take any treats from me. I have tried several different kinds of treats to see what she likes. She will eat just about anything if I put it in her food dish, but won't take it from my hand. If I try to give her a treat, she freaks out and tries to run or fly away. I'm kinda puzzled at this point....

Any ideas on what I can do?

You don't need her to take food from your hands to clicker train her... Use a small bowl in the training area, and drop the treat in there...

The first thing I do, when I adopt an animal, is to teach it to take food directly from me.. If I get a new dog, it'll be handfed for the first 2 weeks...

You can try to take the food out of Penny's cage before you go to bed, and then let her feed from your palm the next morning...

Have you done a treat test?
 
OP
FutureDVM

FutureDVM

New member
Jan 20, 2012
373
1
Colorado
Parrots
Crimson Bellied Conure (Penny), Maximillian Pionus (Piper), Lovebird (Poco)
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I've had Penny for a couple months now and I really feel like we have bonded. She seems to enjoy my company and I really haven't had any big issues with her so far.

Now that I've had her for a bit, I'd really like to start doing clicker training to teach her some tricks. The only problem is I can't get her to take any treats from me. I have tried several different kinds of treats to see what she likes. She will eat just about anything if I put it in her food dish, but won't take it from my hand. If I try to give her a treat, she freaks out and tries to run or fly away. I'm kinda puzzled at this point....

Any ideas on what I can do?

You don't need her to take food from your hands to clicker train her... Use a small bowl in the training area, and drop the treat in there...

The first thing I do, when I adopt an animal, is to teach it to take food directly from me.. If I get a new dog, it'll be handfed for the first 2 weeks...

You can try to take the food out of Penny's cage before you go to bed, and then let her feed from your palm the next morning...

Have you done a treat test?


I like the idea of taking her food out overnight. I actually remember reading about that a while ago, but I must have forgotten. I will definitely try that and see how it works. What do you mean by treat test?
 

SailBoat

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Jul 10, 2015
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Western, Michigan
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DYH Amazon
Taking food away at night would have little if any effect as it is not connected to the event. In addition, with few exceptions Parrots do not feed at night, commonly just before sleeping or in the morning.

Providing treats during training has it best result, if you greatly reduce the treat from the food offering.

FYI: This is not a recent Thread and it is likely that the OP is no longer watching. Please consider starting a New Thread in the Future.
 

gracebowen

Active member
Jan 14, 2015
1,439
3
San Antonio
Parrots
Cora lovebird
Sky parakeet
Treat test

Place several treats on a plate. Watch your fid eat to see what they eat first and or the most of. Then you know their favorite.
 

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