Touch Training - using clicker

[rbreck]

This weekend I started touch training with a stick. Maui has this down. Even turning around now is coming pretty easy - following stick. I just have one question. Do you let him grab the stick (bite it) before clicking and rewarding? Okay to let him get ahold of the stick? He is not biting hard, he knows his treat is coming. He quacks like a duck for the next trick

He is also letting me hold his beak with two fingers for a count of three. Freezes like he is really really thinking hard - I say - Nose 1-2-3.

Do you give them a treat with open hand? or between figures? Open hand makes more sense to me? Feelings on this?

 

[moni.k]

I would have to say no... biting the stick or getting a hold of the stick defeats the purpose of "touch" training. Although you can use the touch training for a lot of cool tricks. It's a valuable asset especially in the future to help ease fear of hands or strangers.

If you teach him to bite the stick, and you want to use the previous learned training to get his fear over hands, then his learned behavior of biting the stick = biting the hand (as an example). So encourage a slight touch with his beak instead of bite the stick.

As for open hand feeding or holding with your fingers, it really doesn't matter. If he's comfortable getting treats from an open hand, then do that and vice versa. As long as he feels comfortable and happy then it's all good in the neighborhood. But if he's uncomfortable with one technique then it really defeats the purpose of a "treat"/"reward".

 

[MonicaMc]

The general idea is for them to touch the target, but not bite it (aggressively, at least).

Rewards can probably be given any way you feel is suitable and comfortable with. For birds that can't be trusted with a reward in an open palm, some may use something like a spoon to give a reward with instead.