I'm finally doing it.

[Owlet]

I'm finally moving ahead with harness training Lincoln. It's going a LOT better than I thought it would. After seeing someone harness training their parrotlet by holding a treat infront of the harness and having their bird stick their head through to get the treat, I decided that's probably what I'll try. So far I can get him to go through the big loop that could go around the body, he was very hesitant at first but after 2 almonds he's all for it. Now just to move onto the loop that would go around the base of his neck.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I
AM
IMPRESSED
with the two of you!

 

[Owlet]

I
AM
IMPRESSED
with the two of you!

Oh gosh, I don't know why but that made me tear up a little xD Thank you!

 

[Inger]

I wish my Parrotlet would stick her head through for the treat. She will put the tip of her beak through. Sometimes. Good for you and Lincoln!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

I’m also very impressed with your work! My birds would never accept a harness!

 

[Owlet]

We had a tiny set back but working on fixing it x.x
He put his head all the way through and got a little "stuck" and panicked a little and refused to stick his head in at all until after giving the harness a thorough biting (and accidentally nipping me in the process) but after a couple more time he stuck his head through all the way again. I can't wait till tomorrow to do more.

 

[chris-md]

Ah I’m so happy his is going well for you!i demand pictures!

You’re braver than I. I had Parker getting his head through the loop like a champ. But he’sa bit touch phobic so it was constant panic attacks and tangles. I just didn’t have the fortitude to deal with the stress of getting tangled and panicking.

 

[Owlet]

Ah I’m so happy his is going well for you!i demand pictures!

You’re braver than I. I had Parker getting his head through the loop like a champ. But he’sa bit touch phobic so it was constant panic attacks and tangles. I just didn’t have the fortitude to deal with the stress of getting tangled and panicking.

Lincoln is very much touch phobic too, so I am VERY impressed that he's sticking his head in at all.

 

[Anansi]

Funny enough, this is the exact method that I used with Maya. Started with the bigger body loop, and only moved on to the smaller head loop once she was used to the process and completely confident.

Congratulations on starting the process! Just be persistent and patient, and you'll get there. Please continue with the updates.

 

[katie_fleming]

Great job!! When I had to re-harness train Jasper it was so frustrating. For MONTHS he would only put his head through and not let me go to step 2. Now he lets me put it on no problem.

So stick with it, do it daily, or every other day, and you WILL make progress! Good luck!

 

[wrench13]

Id suggest for those touch sensitive birds, once you have the head loopon, drape the rest over his body, and let him walk around your training table or area, giving treats of course. And have a definite commmand so the bird knows it is coming off , like"Remove" or "Freedom" used exclusively for that action.

It took me 1+ years , doing it every night, to get Salty to wear his . determined? Why yes, I am. Also I think its very important that once you finally get it on - go outside as a reward, to show him what all the work has been for. Here in the Great White North, we have laid off getting the complete harness on because I cant give him the big payoff, but we still practice putting his head thru the loop and draping the harness over him and having Salty walk around for awhile with it on.

Come on Lincoln - its not that hard!! You can do it!

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Maybe if Lincoln watched a couple Salty boy vid's with his harness on he'll get the idea and see it won't murder him!



Jim

 

[Owlet]

i actually had a dream i was watching Amazon parrot videos and Lincoln caught on that I was enjoying them so he was doing everything he could to impersonate the Amazon hmmm

 

[Soyajam]

Awesome work Owlet!

I had my breeder practice getting Remi used to her harness when she was a baby, but my partner went too fast with her when she got home. She got stuck and we couldn't get it off her fast enough, and now as soon as you raise it near her she backs away.

The only advice I can offer is slow and steady. Sounds like you're doing that already when you manage your setbacks. But they're easily deterred so the more positive experiences you can create with the harness, the better off you'll be.

I've stalled progress as I need to manage my bird's motivation (she's not interested in treats) but with a motivated bird I think you'll do well.

You'll see the results in due course, and when Lincoln can get outside in the big world that'll be a reinforcer in itself!

Good luck.

 

[Owlet]

Feel like giving up, we've mad absolutely NO progress since I posted this. once I get it around his head I have no idea how I am even going to get it around his wings.

 

[Kiwibird]

It's still way early in the process! Took us the better part of 2 years to get Kiwi to *tolerate* wearing his harness.

Do you have the Aviator? Have you considered a feather tether instead? The Aviator looks too complicated and like you'd have to have one of those extremely compliant birds because every body part goes through a different hole. That would never happen in a million years with Kiwi. Buckling something on is much simpler.

 

[Owlet]

Can you link me to the feather tether? I do have an aviator.

 

[LordTriggs]

It's still way early in the process! Took us the better part of 2 years to get Kiwi to *tolerate* wearing his harness.

Do you have the Aviator? Have you considered a feather tether instead? The Aviator looks too complicated and like you'd have to have one of those extremely compliant birds because every body part goes through a different hole. That would never happen in a million years with Kiwi. Buckling something on is much simpler.

I also found in my failed attempt that the "buckle"? The bit that tightens or loosens the excess thread from the harness was extremely hard to move especially with a bird in the harness let alone when they're not too happy with it