Clicker training problems...

[parrotqueen]

I've began clicker training today, and I have some questions.

My birds are very afraid of the clicker's loud sound. As reccomended by professionals; I hide it behind my back to prevent them from seeing it, and to muffle it slightly. They still hiss like snakes whenever I click it. I keep on offering treats to make it positive, but they're too scared to even eat the treat. What should I do?

 

[antoinette]

Mishka did exactly the same hissed like a snake, I got scared LoL
I then taught her the clock is ticking and made the sound tick tock with my mouth.
When she started saying the clock is ticking, and making the tick tock sound, I started using the clicker. I made one clicking sound with my mouth, then the next with the clicker. Took about 3 days, she now loves the clicker sound.
I have not had much success with clicker training, where she does some tricks, but when I click she talks like a trooper.

 

[Beilana]

Great idea Antoinette! Make the clicker noise fun. You could also try a different method of training if they are really TOO scared of it

 

[Auggie's Dad]

My birds are very afraid of the clicker's loud sound. ... What should I do?

Not use a clicker! The whole idea is to take a neutral stimulus and make it rewarding. There's nothing neutral about the click to your bird. You could try a dog whistle, or anything else distinctive.

As reccomended by professionals; I hide it behind my back to prevent them from seeing it, and to muffle it slightly.

Mind if I ask which 'professionals'? I've heard a lot of bad training advice, but that's just ridiculous. It defeats the whole purpose of having a salient and distinctive cue for a secondary reinforcer.

 

[parrotqueen]

Sorry, I should've stated who the professionals were. I watched TV show (Not sure which one) on Animal Planet with a bird trainer who used this method.

Okay, I suppose I would have to agree that the only solution is to not use the clicker. I'll use whistling instead, as you suggested.

 

[Beilana]

I also saw that parrotqueen! Although it is common sense I guess to just switch the clicker with something the birdies like

 

[Mel]

My birds are very afraid of the clicker's loud sound. ... What should I do?

Not use a clicker! The whole idea is to take a neutral stimulus and make it rewarding. There's nothing neutral about the click to your bird. You could try a dog whistle, or anything else distinctive.

As reccomended by professionals; I hide it behind my back to prevent them from seeing it, and to muffle it slightly.

Mind if I ask which 'professionals'? I've heard a lot of bad training advice, but that's just ridiculous. It defeats the whole purpose of having a salient and distinctive cue for a secondary reinforcer.

AD is spot on with his advise. You can use any sound you want as long as it's associated with a reward you'll get exactly the same result. I hate the clicker sound I say good girl instead

 

[Aussie Ben]

My birds are very afraid of the clicker's loud sound. ... What should I do?

Not use a clicker! The whole idea is to take a neutral stimulus and make it rewarding. There's nothing neutral about the click to your bird. You could try a dog whistle, or anything else distinctive.

As reccomended by professionals; I hide it behind my back to prevent them from seeing it, and to muffle it slightly.

Mind if I ask which 'professionals'? I've heard a lot of bad training advice, but that's just ridiculous. It defeats the whole purpose of having a salient and distinctive cue for a secondary reinforcer.

AD is spot on with his advise. You can use any sound you want as long as it's associated with a reward you'll get exactly the same result. I hate the clicker sound I say good girl instead

Again I agree, you may wan't to use a verbal bridge instead, even use your tongue for a softer click. The reason clicking is usually chosen as the 'bridge' is because of its accuracy, in that you can pinpoint the behaviour. However, if your bird is scared, this will only have negative impacts so you may want to reconsider.

If you still want to try and use a clicker, they have mad a new one called the iClick (don't get me started on the name ). Buddy was always a little startled by the regular clicker so I purchased this one. It is about 10 times quieter than a regular clicker and works really well for smaller birds. Here is a website that explains it i-Click 5 Pack. There are plenty of stockists around on the net.

 

[Mel]

or could you use a pen?

 

[Aussie Ben]

or could you use a pen?

Don't see why not. It is quieter than the iClick