Is this ok? Training video.

[PicklesParrot]

I started with click = treat for a few days. Then... Touch the stick, click = treat. Now this. Tried to go above his head and all he wants is to touch the stick. so I got rid of the stick and did this. He seems to be responding well but, not sure if this is right. Love to hear all opinions and suggestions.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPkNeuHKuoE]Training session - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Featheredsamurai]

You doing it right, because he's getting what you want him to do and doing so wonderfully. It's still early on and he will improve more and more

 

[MonicaMc]

I would recommend using hulled sunflower seeds instead, and maybe cutting them in half (or smaller) so he doesn't get full so quickly, and he can eat the reward faster.

If you are having trouble with turn around, ask for him to do a 180° turn and reward. Ask him to do it again and reward. Once he gets down the half turn, then work on the full turn. I did notice you were going too fast for him in the beginning and towards the end you slowed down some.

I think it's better to teach the bird 'turn around' from beneath rather than above, anyway!


Other than that, you are doing fantastic!

 

[PicklesParrot]

Thank you MonicaMc!! Im going to try that today. I just get so excited I tend to move a little fast. I tried it with the hulled seeds first. It sounds nuts but he actually took LONGER to eat it! It makes no sense to me. He just sticks them in his mouth and takes his sweeet time mushing it around. I havent tried breaking them in half though. I'll see how that works.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

yes, like monicamc said hulling is a good idea. The more time a bird spends eating, or cracking seeds the more likely they will forget some information.

 

[MonicaMc]

Guess your little guy is just quirky that way! LOL

Also, try to find other rewards he'll work for, that way, you can keep things interesting because he'll never know what reward he'll get!