When to begin target training?

[Allylang1]

I got my baby ysgcc yesterday I am so in love... I am curious as to when I can begin target training. When would be a good time to introduce?

 

[chris-md]

Congratulations on your new baby!

Give it a try now!

 

[Allylang1]

Thank you!!! That’s what I really wanted to hear lol! I wasn’t sure if I should wait and let him settle in for a certain amount of time.

 

[Inger]

I would say the sooner the better. Congratulations on your new friend!


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[wrench13]

Never too soon, after he is at home in your house. Training, whether its clicker, or targeting or tricks , is a great way to start and maintain your bond with your parrots. The really do love to learn new things - they are so smart. Once he knows that you are tryingto show him new things, don;t be surprised at how fast he picks stuff up. My Amazon, Salty, often learns a new trick after a few trys, and often only once.

 

[Allylang1]

Thanks! We played a little with it today. He did good in A few short 5 minute trainings.

 

[Jottlebot]

As long as you can give a meaningful reward and your bird can get to the target you can start

 

[Allylang1]

Okay so rewards??? He loves sunflower seeds (I break them in half) and these little white seeds ( I don’t know what they are) how many is too many? I am only using the sunflower seeds for target training. He probably gets 10 sunflower seeds total. Is that too many? Thanks for s as lol the guidance. I’m new to this bird mom stuff ....

 

[chris-md]

Nah, sounds fine to me. Just adjust the meals, understanding part of his calories are now coming not from meals but training treats.

 

[Allylang1]

Thank you all for your tips! Ollie loves to train and has already learned how to spin, give high five, and fetch (just working on the bringing it back part lol). He tried a couple flips, but it’s difficult and he gets mad when he can’t do it and throws a little fit so we’ll wait on that one... Lol. He is a spunky little guy and so fun!

 

[wrench13]

Told ya. The more you work with them, the more eager they are to learn new stuff. A good source for props to use in tricks is the baby toy section of toy stores or others. Rattles, hoops, blocks, cups sets, all can be had there very inexpensively. A lenght of PVC pipe makes a great tunnel, start with a short length and increase with longer lengths.

 

[Allylang1]

Haha love it. It’s fun for both of us! He picks up tricks after just a couple times. Sometimes he thinks I’m a treat dispenser giving kisses and spinning. Lol. I raided my classroom when I packed it up last week. Got tons of buttons and all kinds of random stuff. He is so playful running after toys and yelling at them like Daffy Duck.