Training with a bird that doesn't fully trust you

[Owlet]

So my winter break is coming up and I want to do some hardcore training with Lincoln so we can then hopefully build up a bond. He's come a long way but there's still also a lot of room for improvement.

What are some tricks or whatnot I could train Lincoln that doesn't require him to have full trust in me? He knows to step up when I offer him my arm and he sort of knows to go where I tap if I need him to go somewhere but that's really it. I THINK one of the previous owners might of potty trained him since he doesn't poop when off / out of the cage unless he really needs to.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I bet you'll get lots of good advice from people who actively train their birds. Good for you for reaching out for advice.

Meanwhile, your question made me grin, because the Rickeybird doesn't fully trust ME after 32 years of undivided attention and adoration. He won't sleep around me: apparently I must be watched. He literally flies (haha) into a rage if I head for one of his perches where there are snacks: he grabs as much as he can hold and flaps away with it. It's risky to offer my hand to him, so I always try a perch first, THEN my hand. Sounds like you're already way ahead of me!

 

[SilverSage]

I would focus on building that trust rather than on "tricks" but sometimes those tricks are a great way to build trust an easy one is "spin around" and there are tons of videos on YouTube, etc on how to do it.


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[Owlet]

Yeah I honestly dont care too much about teaching my pets tricks because I just don't think it's necessary in most cases. Like my dogs really only know sit stay and out of the kitchen. My older dog does know shake and how to fetch the news paper though but only because other members of the family taught him. Training Lincoln go do tricks would really only be a bonding exsersise

 

[chris-md]

Target training would be a big one to start with. Parrot version of "come".

 

[Owlet]

He's already sort of target trained as I said. If I tap somewhere he'll go to it as long as it's on his cage. He's still uncertain about the rest of the house so usually refuses to move off my arm but we're slowly working on that with him. Once his feathers are cleaned up and hopefully his feather chewing problem solved I will try to train him more target training via flying.

 

[DerTier]

Trick training is not only great bonding, it provides valuable mental simulation AND animals love it. If you use creative force free training methods you can teach them to learn things a new way the neuroscience behind this is fascinating, and I've never trained an animal this way that didn't ask directly for more training

 

[Tetly]

I taught my Blu (who won't step up and still is kinda fearful, won't let me touch him) target, spin and stretch wing and leg. Since your bird is willing to step up, I'm sure you can teach him more tricks.