Finley's 1st day of harness training and refresher for Ollie! (Video)

Today it was soooo nice out so I decided to start Finley's harness training. Some people like to introduce the harness slowly but I don't like that method because I feel like it could give them time to decide they don't like the harness or that they're scared of it. I have heard so many people say "I want to take my bird outside but they hate the harness". This method worked with Ollie really well so I implemented it with Finley and it worked like a charm! What's the method you say? Simply just put the harness on them before they have time to have an opinion! Be calm and talk softly to them the whole time you put it on and tell them you'll get a treat and have fun ect after it's on. Will they try to bite you? Well maybe but just gently hold the beak away (may not work on a large bird) and tell them no bite and get harness on as fast as possible. Surprisingly Fin did not try to bite me and only screamed in disapproval a couple of times... wow what a good green monster! Ollie took a look at the harness and I flew away from it but when I started to put it on him he didn't really struggle at all and as always did not try to bite me...the harness got a few bites of frustration though lol. Both of them did really well! Proud bird mommy here <-----

Finley's 1st harness experience!
[ame="https://youtu.be/360MP012XV0"]Finley's 1st time with Aviator Harness - YouTube[/ame]

Ollie's refresher training.
[ame="https://youtu.be/njUnlPUznsc"]Ollie's summer harness kick start! - YouTube[/ame]

Ha! You make it sound and look so easy. I don't think they are birds at all you just dress them up like that - underneath they must be angels!

I agree with the above you make it look so easy!! They both looked calm yet intrigued to be outside. Love it!

I feel so tempted to try your method, but my feisty little demon would probably kill me!

Thanks guys! I appreciate the compliments. I'm telling you just try putting the harness on them... it's worked 2/2 times so far.

So, I have questions if you don't mind. What size harness are you using? Secondly, did your birds just remain calm? Did they not freak out? There was one time long ago I did slip the harness on Lemon's head and he went crazy! Flapping and struggling to get it off. I felt like it was traumatizing to him. Did yours do this and you just kept them in it until they got used to it or did the remain calm and accepting of the harness right off the bat? Thanks!!

You just kind of have to start out with the idea that they're not going to love it. If your scared of a bird biting you (which doesn't phase me) then I could see why you could have trouble. Ollie was used to it and doesn't bite but does squawk in disapproval when I put it on him and clearly would rather be doing another activity. Finley does get upset and try to bite me but what helps is I hold his beak and head (gently) and slip the head through and continue to hold the head while putting the rest of the harness on. Afterwards he was a bit confused and was biting the harness but you HAVE to take them outside right afterwards or they will not get distract enough to allow themselves to get used to it. I think later today or tomorrow I'll try to make a video. It's not a huge ordeal where they flap about frantically and hurt themselves and bite holes in my hand lol.

Sunnyclover, thanks so much for your reply! I am not scared of the bite. I think I was more worried about traumatizing them, but from your reply it seems like your birds reacted the same way but then were fine afterwards. I guess I just get a bit worried when I see him plopping around screaming and biting at the harness struggling frantically trying to remove it so I feel bad and take it off. Do they get less frantic with each time? Someone once told me I could wrestle them into it, but that may be the last time they ever wear it since they will go crazy next time you try. It seems like you have experienced the opposite as in they freak out, but then calm down. Very interesting and I'm tempted to try it to be honest

Oh and I would LOVE to see a video! That would be great! Thanks again

I can't speak for Finley if he freaks out every time but as far as Ollie goes he has definitely calmed way down. Especially, if I'm putting the harness on and off multiple times a day like if we go on a vacation with him or a long car ride where we take him outside to get fresh air with us. This harness thing is a lot about trust too because even though they will freak out a bit while I'm putting the harness on, they trust I'm not going to hurt them so they don't actually try to get away and do a full on freak out like if a stranger tried to touch them they go nuts! It's more of a major annoyance kind of thing than a freak out. If your bird is going absolutely crazy and you think they might hurt themselves too much or you then it could damage your relationship because that would mean the trust level isn't there yet. My 2 boys are absolutely fine afterwards and they may bite the harness here and there but I tell them a firm "no bite" and they know that means stop and they usually do stop biting it. Also, it helps to hold your bird close to your chest and rub their beak afterwards and tell them it's okay and now they will get to do fun stuff with you.
Also a side note, it takes A LOT to traumatize a bird (usually)...there were so many times I did something and I'm like "yeah he has got to hate me now!" And nope...about 10 minutes later they were totally fine and normal. I honestly think Conures are more forgiving than a lot of bird species, because I know Amazons and AGs can really really hold a grudge but so far my Conures have never even kind of held a grudge. Hope that helps. I'll try to get to that video tomorrow!

Do you know what size harness you use? I am so looking forward to your video

X-Small--says for "large conures" which is what I have for both.

I posted a video on a new thread!
http://www.parrotforums.com/trainin...-your-bird-method-harness-training-video.html