Clicker/Target Training & Nipping

Hello!
I've been reading a lot on clicker and target training, watching some great youtube videos, trying to figure it all out. I think I have a good handle on what I need to do! But I still have some questions! (I'll probably have more as the discussion opens up)

How do you go about clicker/target training when your macaw is a tad on the nippy side?

For example; we let Merlin out all the time, we feed him treats through the cage bars all the time. About 75% of the time, hes bypassing the treat to get a finger, whether in the cage or out.
Also, when he gets out of the cage, he seems to play really aggressively. Hes ripping into things, shredding things, slamming things with his beak. Is that normal? (Mostly bird appropriate things, we're working on redirecting from some other things)

-How do you clicker train when the bird wants to grab your finger rather than the treat?
-Should I stop and wait for him to calm down?
I feel like him grabbing my finger wouldn't be good for training, but should I let it happen?

Thanks for any advice! We have only had him for a few weeks, so we're all working to get to know each other and build the trust. I think training is a great way to start that, but this is where I am.

Sounds like normal bird behavior to me!


If he's trying to bypass the treat, then perhaps the treat isn't of a high enough value? Or maybe it's because he's a little on the full side and not interested in eating?


Still, why offer your flesh to be within biting distance? If you want to learn how to, then you need to figure out how to hold the treat in your hand and offer it to the bird at the same time while still keeping your flesh out of reach.

Otherwise.... install a treat cup where you can drop treats in once the desired behavior is done. Or offer the treat off of a spoon, teaspoon, or other object where your flesh is safely away from that beak.



It's better to work with the bird when the bird's focus is on you. If the bird is busy focusing on something else, then maybe right now isn't an ideal time to train. It may be at a later point, but not right now. Try to work with him when he's a little hungry and willing to work for food.


Please try to remember though to keep the training sessions short! You may even want to start off with only a 3-5 minute session! (if that) Short but frequent training sessions are better than long ones! A long training session, the bird's attention span can wane and they can get bored quickly!

Have you seen this http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56384-big-beak-o-phobes-guide-understanding-macaw-beaks.html

When you say he goes after your fingers, do you mean that he wants to gently beak them? Or that he's giving hard nips? Because if he's nipping you, you might want to work on bite pressure training to eliminate that as an issue.

If he's just very beaky, though, and just enjoys gently gnawing you, then you just hold the treat in such a way that he can only reach the treat and not your hand. Best time to train him is between meals, when he is at his hungriest. (Please note, I don't advocate withholding of food for training purposes. I rather dislike that practice, actually. I just give full, but distinct, meals rather than free-feeding.)

Also, as was mentioned earlier, try to train him away from any distractions. Away from toys or anything else that might draw his attention. Even including his cage. Take him to another room, preferably on a simple training stand, and work with him there. It's important that you be the sole focus of his attention. And when he does as you ask, make sure that you are effusive with the praise. He'll come to understand.

Just be consistent with what you expect, and with his boundaries. The link Plumsmum provided goes into lots of detail about setting boundaries. But consistency is key.

Sorry to butt in but where can information on bite pressure training be found? I have been searching for it for a few days now and haven't anything as of yet.


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Thanks guys! I will definitely look into bite pressure training. He has nipped me before, the other day actually when he stepped onto my hand to be put on my bed, but I tried to put him on his cage door instead. He reached down and grabbed my wrist with his beak tips, no damage done. I think he was trying to send a message.

I did find the other day after writing this original post that the treats I was trying to give weren't high enough value! I made some plain gluten free noodles, and I gave him one, he took it SO nicely from my fingers thru the cage bars. So we did a 2-3 minute clicker training session, just for him to learn what the click means. Click-treat, click-treat. I click with my left hand, feed with my right. After about 4 clicks, he was looking at my right hand for the treat! I ended on a positive note with the last noodle part I had.
We've done several 2-3 minute sessions, only in the cage, and hes doing really well. I can see when hes ready to stop, so we end on a treat and I walk away. I've been using the GF pasta, its a penne, so I break them in half or thirds, and unsalted pistachios.

I introduced the target stick yesterday, just one 2 minute session. He did really well, bit the tip off at first! LOL That was my fault, the tip was too far in and he was able to really get it. Its an apple wood twig, so its safe! But after a few clicks of him just touching it, he stopped trying to bite it!

Hes way smarter than my dogs!

Jeans said:

Sorry to butt in but where can information on bite pressure training be found? I have been searching for it for a few days now and haven't anything as of yet.


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No need to apologize. Your post is very much on topic.

Here are links you should check out for bite pressure training:
http://www.parrotforums.com/questions-answers/58911-bird-bites-always-2.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/56935-conure-s-aggression-worse-every-day-desperate-help.html

Here's one chock full of interesting debate about the merits of "Old School" techniques vs "New School". Helps to find what might work best for you. http://www.parrotforums.com/training/43631-old-vs-modern-techniques.html

And here's a good one for learning how to avoid the bites in the first place: http://www.parrotforums.com/training/57935-brainstorming-biting-parrots.html

Some of the threads in those links are a bit on the long side, but definitely worthwhile reading. Hope you find them helpful.