When to start clicker training?

[Chunky]

I have a 14 week old African Grey. Is he old enough to start clicker training? I have been reading up on the birdtricks.com approach. I have paid for some DVDS but they will take a couple of weeks to get here.
My problem is, they advocate you put your bird on a training diet before you start, but also say not to do this to young birds. They don't say HOW young though, so I am unsure whether I can start yet. Does anyone know what age they have to be before they can go in the diet?

 

[Mekaisto]

I'm not familiar with the training diet, but it's never too early to start clicker training! As long as you have a treat your bird really likes, your bird will respond to training

 

[Chunky]

Thanks for your reply. I sent the guys at birdtricks.com an email asking the question. They replied saying my bird is still too young for the training diet, but suggested pretty much what you said, so I will just keep it casual and see what happens.
I am pretty pleased with him anyway. I've already got him to kiss on command, lie on his back on the palm of my hand and also potty training is going really well.

 

[Kiwibird]

By "training diet" you just mean doing training sessions before otherwise healthy, nutritionally balanced meals right? Because theres programs that encourages reducing overall caloric intake (which is just plain wrong and not healthy).

I would say once the bird has been weaned and flighted would be fine to start more "formal" training. I am not sure at what age that would be in a CAG. The sooner you introduce those concepts, the better! Birds are a lot like children, and the younger they are, the easier it is for them to learn (and to get in the habit of learning, making it easier to pick up skills throughout life).

 

[Chunky]

Oh no, no, no, definitely not reducing the calorie intake. As you say, just scheduling training sessions before food. Up until now, because he is so young I have left food available all day long apart from fruit and veg, which he has early evening.
So do you think it would be ok to adapt his food to giving him say three meals a day, but removing the food bowls after half an hour until after the next training session a few hours later when he feels hungry?

 

[Kiwibird]

Thats what I thought the bird tricks people promoted (training before meals, not caloric restriction) I have fed 2X meals a day, with daytime "food" being small amounts of treats available in foraging activities for years. I feed a 'complete' meal in the morning and evening. I have to do this or my bird will fill up on less-nutritious non-perishable food during the day and not eat his fresh produce readily. I typically give him an hour or so to finish eating his meals. Being your bird is so young, I would wait until he is maintaining a healthy weight to start, as he will have to get used to eating his meals in a 'set' period of time (and may not pick that up for a few days). Some people completely oppose not having food in the cage during the day, but so long as the bird maintains a healthy weight and is eating nutritious food, I see nothing wrong with it.

I don't do training everyday (or follow any program), but when I do a training session, I typically do so right before dinner. My bird is a grouch and liable to give you a chomp in the morning before he gets his breakfast and fully wakes up

 

[Chunky]

Thanks kiwi.
I won't be training everyday long term.same as children, I think it's best to the hard yards whilst they are very young as it saves a life of misery when they are older.

 

[GreatBlue320]

I have been following the Birdtricks team recently and have also purchased a few of their DVDs and other programs. The training diet has confused me a little bit so I'm planning on emailing them for some clarification.

I'm glad to hear that they actually responded to your question regarding starting your 14 week old CAG on a training diet! I was wondering if they really would answer questions.

I haven't gotten my bird yet (haven't even finalized my decision as to which bird I'm getting, as many members here know - haha), but I'm planning on implementing clicker training and other training using positive reinforcement techniques.

Keep us posted on how the training is going!

 

[Xraysrrad]

Hi Chunky,
I am a new bird owner myself and have the DVD's you are talking about. My bird is 6 months old. I have only had him for a little over a month now. Like you, I did a lot of research, as I have always wanted a bird and read everything I could get my hands on.
I was a little scared about starting the training diet. When I spoke to my breeder, she was VERY upset with me and said that I should "ALWAYS" have a cup full of food. However, I watched the entire series and decided to give it a try.
When I started, I immediately saw a complete change in Bodhi! Before I started the training diet, he was occasionally a little "nibby" with my husband and my daughter for some reason. He might step up for them or he might not......My nine year old just finished doing a training (supervised) session this morning and he was doing all kinds of tricks without even being asked.
Long and the short of it, he is all ready wonderfully behaved, does what I ask, when I ask, and we have begun flight training. It has made a world of difference and I highly recommend these techniques when your bird is old enough.
Just curious, what age did they suggest you start?
Best of luck to you and let me know how it goes!!!
Robin

 

[Xraysrrad]

Thanks for your reply. I sent the guys at birdtricks.com an email asking the question. They replied saying my bird is still too young for the training diet, but suggested pretty much what you said, so I will just keep it casual and see what happens.
I am pretty pleased with him anyway. I've already got him to kiss on command, lie on his back on the palm of my hand and also potty training is going really well.

Hi Chunky,

Where did you find an email address? I have looked everywhere. Can you share?

Thanks in advance,
Robin

 

[Chunky]

Hi Robin
They didn't give an exact age. They told me to weigh him every day and once I have done it and his weight hadn't changed for 3-4 weeks then I can start as it means he has reached his full adult weight.
I got their email address on this page. I hope the link works. You fill out the form and they reply to you via email within 24hrs. They have replied to me quickly on two occasions now.

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