Bungled Training

[GCally]

So, Gizmo was doing pretty well with the target clicker training in his cage. NOW, the only thing he cares about is getting out of his cage. So when I try to do the target training, he barely pays attention to it and just climbs all over, screeching and trying to get out to me. This is driving me nuts!! How am I going to be able to train this bird? Even when I do get him out, all he wants to do is climb up to my neck and go under my hair. What can I do to be able to train this bird??? I've heard you aren't even supposed to let your bird on your shoulder because it makes them feel in control. Very frustrating.

 

[Scotty T]

ahhh!

This sounds like most conures. They love to snuggle an be close.
It's not a bad thing. You have to balance your training between a little bit of what you are training on and then snuggle. After awhile your baby will get it, but you can't cold turkey them or they will desire more attention.

I'm not so sure the shoulder is bad but not the head, if they get to your head, then they really feel in control. Not to mention it drives me batty but I would never let my little baby on my head. She doesn't really even try anymore.

 

[darkling]

What do you want to train him to do?

Pi goes up under my hair all the time. She loves to cuddle and fall asleep there. I thought it was a conure thing. It was one of the reasons I wanted a conure.

 

[Scotty T]

Pi goes up under my hair all the time. She loves to cuddle and fall asleep there. I thought it was a conure thing. It was one of the reasons I wanted a conure.

Me too

 

[wibitywab]

Conures usually have two modes. Play mode, and cuddle mode. They just have to be in the right mood for training. But they do LOVE to cuddle, which isn't a bad thing, but you might want to hold him up high on your hand if it does not stop, or just try to prevent him from getting to your shoulder

 

[GCally]

I like the snuggling, but if he won't pay attention when I'm trying to train cause thats all he wants to do, thats a little frustrating is all I was saying.

 

[andrea.faerie]

Lucy loves cuddling. Last night I got to traning her a bit by putting her on the floor and getting down to her level she was focused but playful. If she did something neat, i came up with a command for it. I'm working on her getting comfortable with me touching and pulling her wings (like, making her wings span out for clipping) and being toweled. for her wings i'll lay on my stomach with my hair in a ponytail and say "chicken wing!" and grab her wing gently then give her a treat and praise. if she goes under the blanket i say "where's lucy?!" and she'll sqwak then i'll pull the towel up and find her, drop it back on her, and repeat. she loves it! lol

 

[Scotty T]

My experience is a bit different. I've always owned a bird with clipped wings, this time I decided to not clip. I can tell you it's a whole different experience. I love it, but you have to learn to be a bit more tolerant to the little baby.

I'm amazed at the progress that my baby has made being 3 months old today. Keep working with your baby. They are very smart but they might be resistance due to their level of trust. Learn to snuggle a lot with the little baby and surely it will think you are mommy an will accept your commands more openly. You have to gain the trust and confidence first before they will listen to you.

I hope that helps.