Clicker training

[Dj tweet]

Hi again
i'm not sure if anyone here clicker trains but perhaps someone has advice
my 6yr old moustache is coming home soon
he is handraised and very friendly
he will step up so long as you provide a firm hand and are confident in it

I really want to clicker train him but am not sure where to start
I know how to establish the basic clicker assosiation but where to from there

Any ideas appreciated please

 

[Von1983]

I clicker trained cockatiels what feels like many moons and tides ago!

I found it very easy. It's hard to speculate when you don't have the bird and his personality in front of you but to put it simplistically, make the noise of the clicker mean "yay!". This can be with favourite food, scratching the head, stroking the beak....whatever you and them are comfortable with that they love.

Start off stationary - inside the cage if need be. Start small. So clicking the clicker and tapping another perch or another part of the cage with your finger. When they understand where to go and go there, click the clicker and reward with the treat and positive toned praise.

If this doesn't work straight off (I think it will though) then just click the clicker and reward so they recognise the sound = yay!

After they've mastered that, you click the clicker and they will come a flyin' lol. Just remember to always fulfill your side of the "agreement" and provide them with a reward when they come.

With flying TO you, I found that a stick or perch was easier than just a hand to begin with.

I hope you and your bird have a fantastic life together. He will bring you more enjoyment than you thought possible.

 

[Aussie Ben]

Von has given some great advice. I just want to highlight this point that she made:

If this doesn't work straight off (I think it will though) then just click the clicker and reward so they recognise the sound = yay!

IMO, the above is actually a very important step, it is known as 'conditioning'. You want to make sure that the bird associates the 'click' with the reward. In theory, if you do not do this first, it is harder to use a clicker to 'pinpoint' the behaviour - (the 'click' simply means 'treat is coming soon' instead of indicating the EXACT moment of success). You want that click to indicate what the bird did 'it' right, not 'something' right . Highly recommend you just spend the first 2-3 training sessions simply clicking....and instantly giving a reward. A few sessions spent doing this will speed up the process of training down the track. If you don't do this, the bird will still pick it up, it will just take longer. (I'm no expert btw, just what I have learned)

You can also use a target stick in place of the finger tap. My birds love target training and get very energetic about it

 

[Dj tweet]

Thanks guys I appreciate that
I guess what I want to know is where to after that how would you put together your list of progression
eg conditioning
targeting
step up
fly to me( if applicable )
what next ??? Spin, wave, nod , wings up etc etc

 

[Von1983]

hehe, like all of us, with the greatest of respect - you're overthinking!

I did it for about a fortnight after getting Cal! Completely normal and I'm not trying to be condecending in any way - honestly!

When you get the bird it will quickly become apparent after you have taught the basics what he is going to be good at. Honestly. I totally understand thinking ahead, but sometimes it just makes your brain hurt haha!! To put it simplistically - have fun now, don't worry about later.

For example, Cal has only just become hand tame, really. She did all this off her own back. Yesterday I raised a hand in greeting to her and she raised one back! I checked numerous times throughout the day - it was no fluke. I thought I'd have to teach her that!

That's just my 2p worth anyway, I hope I've come across relatively clearly, I apologise if not!

Have a blast and he will too =D

 

[Vivica]

hehe, like all of us, with the greatest of respect - you're overthinking!

I did it for about a fortnight after getting Cal! Completely normal and I'm not trying to be condecending in any way - honestly!

When you get the bird it will quickly become apparent after you have taught the basics what he is going to be good at. Honestly. I totally understand thinking ahead, but sometimes it just makes your brain hurt haha!! To put it simplistically - have fun now, don't worry about later.

For example, Cal has only just become hand tame, really. She did all this off her own back. Yesterday I raised a hand in greeting to her and she raised one back! I checked numerous times throughout the day - it was no fluke. I thought I'd have to teach her that!

That's just my 2p worth anyway, I hope I've come across relatively clearly, I apologise if not!

Have a blast and he will too =D

Great job explaining, darling.
The only thing my bird can do is poop on command, which he really should get a treat for, but he's good with verbal praise. Other then that, he's a free bird to romp around his cage and eat anywhere, and he will step up when you tell him to. (If he's having a good day)

Clicker training is a really good way to go. I'm glad you're considering this method. Best of luck to you!

 

[antoinette]

Hi again
i'm not sure if anyone here clicker trains but perhaps someone has advice
my 6yr old moustache is coming home soon
he is handraised and very friendly
he will step up so long as you provide a firm hand and are confident in it

I really want to clicker train him but am not sure where to start
I know how to establish the basic clicker assosiation but where to from there

Any ideas appreciated please

Great info from the above members.
Below is a link pertaining to clicker training, explaining it so simply, LoL it actually looks easy.
I am about to start clicker training my AG wish me luck, she enjoys talking and talking more than anything else.


Beginning clicker training for parrots!

Good luck to both of us

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Thanks guys I appreciate that
I guess what I want to know is where to after that how would you put together your list of progression
eg conditioning
targeting
step up
fly to me( if applicable )
what next ??? Spin, wave, nod , wings up etc etc

Anywhere. There is no "clicker training" progression. It's just a means of using a clicker as a secondary reinforcer (reward) in any training.

So what should you train your bird to do next? What do you *want* him to do next?

 

[Von1983]

Anywhere. There is no "clicker training" progression. It's just a means of using a clicker as a secondary reinforcer (reward) in any training.

So what should you train your bird to do next? What do you *want* him to do next?

This is EXACTLY what I meant.

Alas, I am one of life's ramblers!!!

 

[Dj tweet]

No insults taken and all advice appreciated thanks !
At current I can happily hold and stroke him but he won't take anything from my hand so we have to work on that before training but he's Been home less than a day so we have great progress already and I'm not in a hurry about it
he's here forever so we have plenty of time