Potty Training 20-year-old CAG

[Bandespresso]

...can it be done? Any tips/tricks I can use?

Now that Espresso has gotten more comfortable with us, I want to start training her a bit. Potty training would be nice but obviously not necessary. I've started taking her over to the trash can for her morning poop, saying "go poop," and praising her. She doesn't poop on me often so it is difficult to catch...should I watch her while she is out playing on her own too? Would starting with target training help or should I focus on one thing at a time?

Obviously I will love her no matter how successful any training is and will absolutely respect her if she wants nothing to do with it; I just want to improve her quality of life and would love to get her flighted/recall trained eventually.

 

[mh434]

Well, I successfully trained my Yellow-Naped 'Zon to only poop when on or in his cage, and CAGs, being as intelligent as they are, should be a breeze.

Sammy (my 'Zon, the one in my avatar) was always reluctant to poop on me, and started the training himself - he'd start to get fussy on my shoulder (pacing, doing little wing flips, chattering), and when I noticed this I put him back on his cage door. He'd poop within a second, and I got the idea! I gave him a peanut and praised him. Now, he lets me know when it's time, and he always gets a treat (not without the pooping, though).

What's really funny is that, when he just wants a peanut, he'll get fussy - we go through the procedure, and he'll strain himself to squeeze out a tiny poop, just to get his treat! Also, if I'm going to pick him up, I only have to say "Poop!", and he does. That way, I can even have a nap with him on me, without fear of having to get up & take him to his cage.

He hasn't pooped on me (or anywhere I don't want him to) for over a year now.

Just wait for her to poop when she's on her cage door, then praise her, say the word you want to use (obviously, we use "poop"), and give her a treat. That way, she'll quickly learn that not only does this please you, it earns her a treat.

Bet it doesn't take more than a week!!

 

[Bandespresso]

Thank you! I was an it worried because of her age but she is doing much better; no couch poops in a few days! Hopefully when I have a few days off we can work on it more. And soon target training

 

[Hawk]

Greys are very easy to train, My 18 month old, I watch for the signs, the classic tail feathery wiggle just before a poop. I'll say in a firm voice "WAIT"... and he holds it, steps up on my finger and I place him on his perch with tray catch and say " ok you can poop, go poop, and he dose instantly, I praise him and then back over on couch with me. he's a fast learner.