Can a harness send the wrong message?

[Flboy]

I had posted this in someone else's thread and it got lost.
I am conflicted on the use of a harness, love the thought, but my daughter is dead set against it! My JoJo is fully flighted, and skilled. At this point he does not try to follow me outside. My daughter feels if he gets used to being on my shoulder when I walk outside, this may push him into taking matters into his own hands/wings. He loves being outside and I use a smaller cage for this. He already associates front door= me leaving, back door= me taking him out in cage. I can leave the house and he doesn't fuss, but if he sees me walk out the back door without him, he makes his displeasure very clear. I know there is always a risk involved in anything, but thoughts are this would make him a bit more inclined to view the door as a right. And he is fast, very fast!

 

[Dinosrawr]

I think it matters more so about what JoJo has to say about the harness, really. I can put both my birds in a harness, but it takes away from what they enjoy or see when I have them out. My IRN will just literally hide in my hair the entire walk, and Avery is so terrified of things moving around she hardly enjoys it. But they also weren't highly socialized with being outside either.

That being said, if I take either of them out in their travel cages or for car rides, they absolutely adore it and love it. I think if JoJo is perfectly happy with the carrier, there's no real need to harness train him. A harness is also more of a selfish choice on us if our birds don't enjoy it. Some birds really, really love the freedom of flying outdoors it can provide, but some (like mine) don't benefit the same way.

I personally think larger birds (400g and higher) are better candidates for it anyways, considering that they're less likely to be attacked or are more likely to survive if attacked by a bird of prey. I'm currently getting a Pac-o-Bird like many of our forum members, and I feel safer with my birds that way too. Plus I can go bike riding that way!

 

[Kiwibird]

It is my opinion ANY flighted bird should be recall trained, and learn how to fly down from high places (believe it or not, that's one of the biggest hurdles at retrieving a lost bird). Even if you never plan to free-fly, in an emergency, it could be a life saver.

I've actually been working with Kiwi to "go home". Of course, he's free outside, but he's learned to go all the way from the far end of the deck, through the front door and right up his cage on command (me closely monitoring of course).On the harness, this may be another good idea to teach Jojo how to "get back home". And personal opinion here, but I don't like the idea of a bird who hasn't been 'desensitized' to the outdoors. It would seem in the event of an escape, it could be so much difficult to recover a panicked, scared bird who has no real 'concept' of the outdoors outside of a fixed cage on the patio. Even a bird backpack would be a better option than no outdoor time or only in a cage since in a backpack the bird can be moved around and becomes more desensitized.

 

[Flboy]

"believe it or not, that's one of the biggest hurdles at retrieving a lost bird). Even if you never plan to free-fly, in an emergency, it could be a life saver. "
I completely agree, recall, work in progress. Flying down, doing very well! When ever JoJo gets himself on a fan, or light, vaulted ceilings, I sit directly under him and wait. As you said, it is a learned skill, it is so cool to watch him drop, gain control and swoop to me! And you can tell by his excitement, he is saying,'I did it!'

I agree with the desensitization also. Right now, in the cool of the afternoon, I walk JoJo to the mailbox, around the yard, to the neighbors, in cage though. He loves it! That is why I am somewhat inclined toward a harness! And walking down the street with the cage on my shoulder, well, you get the picture! I am 'that guy' in my neighborhood!

 

[Flboy]

Update:
Just bought a harness for JoJo, the Aviator. The little stinker is getting a bit protective of me and has gone after a few folks that got too close. Clipping was an option, came close! Then I thought of the harness again. Me thinks it be a good tool to curb some bad behavior!

 

[itchyfeet]

As long as it's associated with super experiences I make sure Henry always gets an extra special walk outside so that the harness is something he's really keen for.

 

[Flboy]

Hmm, slow!

 

[Newbsi]

What if you compromise lol. Could you put the harness on him in the house, place him in the cage you take outside. Once you get outside, take him out of the cage, holding onto the harness. This way he still associates being in the cage with going out of the door. IDK, just a thought...

I got Gollums harness last week. I got the part over her head... she hated it! I took it right back off. I have been putting it off doing it again. I know it will be worth it when she is comfortable with it.

 

[Mariar]

Sissy did great the first few times with the harness...no it's like she thinks it's going to eat her wings!! She doesn't mind the head part though....moody little thing.