Clicker Training

[Eclectica]

How does clicker training work, and where does training start? I have no idea how and where to start with my parrot. Is it a good idea to get a book, and if so which is best and available? I really want to train my Kodie, but have no idea how to train. Some make it look and sound it so easy, but i just cant seem to get it! This guy from Birdtricks.com emails me with tricks and interesting stuff , but how do i get it to work? Should i get a professional to show me how or will a good book do the trick?

Thanks, W!

 

[Peta]

Clicker training is brilliant. First of all you will need to teach Kodie what the click means, so as soon as you click, give treat (whether this be food treat or voice) If using food then keep that food item ONLY for clicker training. By making it something that he really loves will work wonders as they will do anything for that special item. When you first start out you will need to work only on the click and treat, he will soon get the idea, then maybe try it when you ask him to step up, (or something that he does everyday, without any thought,) as soon as he does what you ask then click and treat. Before long you'll be starting off. A lot of people will start by asking bird to touch an item (this is the target) once he has mastered that you can move on. Some learn a lot quicker than others, some days Bucc will do just what I ask of him, other days he will just sit and look at me waiting for the click and treat. Don't be fooled if he doesn't do it then don't click and treat, What I did with Bucc was show him a chop stick, and asked him to touch, I then moved it to his beak, clicked and treat. After a day or two I asked him to touch and he went straight to it. I've got a couple of links for ya, I know I saw some videos around somewhere I'll have to have a look for them, they really do help.

In the meantime here are the links hope they help, let me know if you need anymore and I'll get some posted for you. Let us know how you both get on with this.

http://beta.clickertraining.com/node/285

http://il.essortment.com/clickertraining_pbj.htm