What do you use for rewards?

Greenguy · Mar 18, 2013

I have seen countless videos with a treat as a reward but I'm not sure what I should use for my GCC. I figured it had to be something small, obviously because he's small, but also because of the amount of times he is rewarded. What are most people using?

Featheredsamurai · Mar 18, 2013

Pretty much anything you would want that is healthy. For Rosie I chop up walnuts, pecans, and pistachios into small bite size pieces, use banana, and sometimes chicken or salmon. Or anything (that is bird safe) that she is excited about.

Many small birds enjoy millet spray

Greenguy · Mar 18, 2013

Trial and error I suppose. Thank you for the suggestions. Ill try them

weco · Mar 18, 2013

Peanut half, almond half, small piece of dried mango, small piece of dried pineapple or similar foods.....something that the bird really likes but does not receive in its normal diet.....

Jtbirds · Mar 18, 2013

I cut up pistachios for my treats mainly. I also some dried fruit. Usually cut it very small so I can get more out of the session

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natv · Apr 15, 2013

I give mine bean sprouts. You can make your one but I buy one called Leasa sprouts (the one that contains lentils, not the long broccoli / alfalfa)

Sometimes I use shelled sunflower seeds, but I try not to give him too many nuts (fatty)

Kiwibird · Apr 15, 2013

We typically use verbal praise as a reward. Mainly, I don't want Kiwi filling up on "treats" and not having room for his real food just because he's being a good boy. Secondly, I don't always have a treat nearby every time he does a positive behavior I want to encourage. He gets rewarded with a very excited "good boy!" and acknowledges his praise by shaking his tail (very cute). I prefer verbal cues and praises personally, but if you really want to give treats, use small bits of your birds favorite foods. Kiwi gets treats in his foraging toys since it's a good way to reinforce self-rewarding play, which is usually chunks of granola, nuts and if he has a really difficult/new foraging toy, a chunk off a potato chip for some extra encouragement (he loves chips).

Molcan2 · Apr 15, 2013

I like pine nuts. They are small to begin with and they are very soft, easy to break into small pieces to prevent filling. I only give pine nuts as a reward, so it makes them want it more.

MeganMango · Apr 15, 2013

When I can get them I also use pomegranate seeds. They make a huge mess, and they stain, but Mango is crazy about them and they are healthy. On seed is super small, so I dont worry about him getting fat!

Jtbirds · Apr 15, 2013

I agree with kiwis use of verbal praise, honestly my guys react more to a praise then they do to a treat, as stated I don't always have treats near by and praise works well catching a positive behavior and turning it into a possible training route

MonicaMc · Apr 16, 2013

A reward is whatever the bird finds rewarding - be it praise, physical attention, a toy, food, treats, going somewhere or anything else!

No one reward should be used, but several. This helps to keep things interesting and gives the bird some variety to work with. The same reward used over and over again may become boring and uninteresting.

If a bird doesn't like the reward you have in mind, then it is not a reward to the bird. You must allow the bird to tell you what he or she is willing to work for!

Kimennever · Apr 16, 2013

There is nothing my galah Meisha would not do for a scratch. I use this as a reward when she has issues getting out of her cage. I also use scratches to get her to be more vocal. She now knows if she makes kissy noises or says her version of 'scratch' she gets a lovely big scratch.

I'm planning to apply this to other training as she often doesn't respond to treats. On the odd occaison she does, I use chopped macadamia and sunflower kernel.

WharfRat · Apr 16, 2013

Kinda of funny but the reward mine like most is spending time with me. Yes, they like treats, but to them nothing is better than "daddy" time". Just my opinion.

What do you use for rewards?

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