Gizmo(Hahn macaw)aviator harness

[Chaddlee1978]

Gizmo is 12 weeks old and did really good putting the harness on him. He just sat there while I put iron him. I was amazed. Here is a picture of him.

 

[Terry57]

Gizmo looks adorable in his harness! That's great that he let you put it on so easily, and great idea to start him with it while he is so young. I see a lot of wonderful adventures ahead for you two!

 

[Teknogeddon]

I'm really curious how he does with it! Please keep us updated on that adorable little fluff of feathers.

 

[Chaddlee1978]

He still doing good with it. The second time I tried putting it on him he wanted to play with it but he soon stopped and let me put it on him. He also started biting on the plastic loop more the second time I put it on him. But he can be stubborn in other areas. Been trying to get him to step up which he does half the time. Been using treats to reward him when he does step up. And two days ago he started flying and landing on top of kitchen cabinets. Trying to get him to stop flying up there.. We will see. He still doesn't like taken a bath. He took a shower with me one time and the second time he didn't seem to like it. So, we working on that too. But he loves to fly around inside the house in the mornings. He seems more vocal in the mornings too but he is nowhere as loud as the sun conure I had before.

 

[Mariar]

What a cutie!!!! Glad to hear gizmo did such a great job with the harness.

 

[Teknogeddon]

He still doing good with it. The second time I tried putting it on him he wanted to play with it but he soon stopped and let me put it on him. He also started biting on the plastic loop more the second time I put it on him. But he can be stubborn in other areas. Been trying to get him to step up which he does half the time. Been using treats to reward him when he does step up. And two days ago he started flying and landing on top of kitchen cabinets. Trying to get him to stop flying up there.. We will see. He still doesn't like taken a bath. He took a shower with me one time and the second time he didn't seem to like it. So, we working on that too. But he loves to fly around inside the house in the mornings. He seems more vocal in the mornings too but he is nowhere as loud as the sun conure I had before.

That's reassuring! Definitely makes me feel a bit calmer about this whole birbmom thing xD

I'm a nervous wreck.

 

[chris-md]

That's wonderful! I do caution you to make the process of putting it on (not just having fun when it's on). When this young, macaws will tolerate a degree of uncomfortable handling without any negative reaction, but will begin to revolt shortly after.

I fear by your description that having only done this once or twice you are simply putting it on him and that's that. If that's the case I encourage you to take a step back and work on creating positive associations with putting him through the loop, and manipulating the wings into the harness, so that this kind of forceful handling creates generally positive associations all around.

If you don't I fear your bird will come to turn on this harness experience, and you're going to wonder why he suddenly doesn't want his harness on anymore. It's because he's being very tolerant right now, but won't put up with it much more if you don't take the time to create positive associations with the process of putting it on, and not just what happens after the harness is on.

 

[Chaddlee1978]

What kind of positive association should I do with gizmo while putting harness on? I do give him treats while putting the harness on him. Also, when I hold him I do play with his wings by raising them up and petting under them. I was just wondering so he will continually do good with me putting the harness on. I thank you.