Comfortable with a harness

[apatrimo94]

I have a harness for my keet and I will be getting one for Bartleby soon. How can I make them comfortable wearing them? S'mores freaks out when I try to put it on her and if I do get it on her, she just trys to get it off and sometimes gets tangled in it. What can I do to get her to willingly wear the harness without any problems and same for Bartleby too when I introduce one to him?

 

[boabab95]

well, first get her used to having it around, for example, while yu have him out, have the harness there. Then slowly bring it closer, giving him treats if he doesn't try to escape. Eventually get part of the harness on and leave it for a minute or two and reward him/her. then put more and more on, eventually having it completely on.

 

[Aussie Ben]

b95 is correct, it is going to take small gradual steps for her to be comfortable.

IMO Barbara Heidenreich gives a good example of how to get your bird to enjoy the harness in this video, not sure if it will hep you or not.

The Parrot University Aviator Harness

 

[parrotqueen]

Boabab95 said it pretty well.

Yes, get the bird acquainted with being around the harness. Then, let the bird play with it. Be sure to make it a positive experience by offering treats often during training. After a long while with that, it's probably safe to give it a try.

 

[apatrimo94]

Great!!! Thanks for the help guys!

 

[HRH Di]

Keep us updated. I'd love to get Max, Jade and Ruby harness trained. I really want to take them places with us, but I'm really nervous about freeflying and don't want to clip them.

 

[bobkery]

hey try to first make it feel comfortable with you..because i think of your bird is comfortable with you then you can do any activity with your bird or can do anything..
i am sure this will help you alot

amazon parrots

 

[parrotguy12]

where did u got a harness for ur keet, i need 1 for my parrotlet which is almost the same size as a keet

 

[apatrimo94]

I got it from AvianFashions where they come in all sizes and colors:
Avian Fashions - Home of the Revolutionary Bird Diaper, the FlightSuit!

 

[Quantumcat]

Hi, this is what I did with Scarlett.
First I hung it in the cage in areas where she didn't spend much time. Then in places where she did (at the end of her favourite perch).
Then I hung it near her food bowl. It took a little while for her to start eating again. When she was comfortable I moved it slightly closer and closer, then draped it over the food bowl so she'd have to stick her neck through to eat.
When she was happy with that, I'd have it round my wrist when I asked her to step up. Then later, round my hand and fingers. I'd also leave it round her t-stand and encouraged her to play with it by giving her a seed if she touched it.
Later, I decided to feed her outside the cage to avoid mess (we started getting ants), and before I fed her I'd put the harness on, she would fuss with it for ages but I'd leave it on until she'd at least taken a bite, then take it off and take away the food. Gradually over two weeks or so she'd eat more and fuss less until eventually she didn't fuss at all! When she was finished eating she'd walk towards me and look at me to ask for the harness to be taken off.