Harness issues - force on and reconcile or not?

[Boniface]

So my Senegal Patrick is a year old. We've had him about 9months.
I'm trying to get him used to a harness so I can take him outside. I'm trying a technique where I say, "harness" and then run my hand over his head and lift his wings. This is to prepare him for the action of fitting a harness.
He's not keen on this, but worse still is he's terrified of the harness going on him in any way (I'm talking more about the strap touching him than trying to put it on).

I've been contemplating forcing it on him and then reconciling but I'm not sure.

What are the community's thoughts?

 

[JerseyWendy]

I don't have Senegal experience, so I don't know how 'forgiving' they are, but I can tell you that my Sam (DYH Amazon) wanted NO part of the harness. He wanted to chew it, growl at it, lunge at it, and toss it, he did NOT want to wear it.

I'm not proud to admit it, but I kind of 'coaxed' him into it in sneaky way. Took him into the laundry room, which is fairly small and has no windows. Placed him on the laundry basket that as on top of the washing machine (he's used to perching on laundry baskets), then I dimmed the lights until it was almost completely dark.

I had practiced with the harness, so I knew how to get it on fairly quickly, so while in the dark I put it on him. He didn't complain much because he didn't see so well. :54:

As soon as it was on I turned the lights back on, and took him outside, in an attempt to distract him from the harness. It worked REALLY well.

Getting it back off.....well, back into the laundry room. :32:

Sam has never held a grudge.

 

[Hawk]

So my Senegal Patrick is a year old. We've had him about 9months.
I'm trying to get him used to a harness so I can take him outside. I'm trying a technique where I say, "harness" and then run my hand over his head and lift his wings. This is to prepare him for the action of fitting a harness.
He's not keen on this, but worse still is he's terrified of the harness going on him in any way (I'm talking more about the strap touching him than trying to put it on).

I've been contemplating forcing it on him and then reconciling but I'm not sure.

What are the community's thoughts?

Hmmm, well My experience with trying one on a Senegal I have. He won't have it. And definitely can't force it, He will bite your hand off just thinking about it. Senegal's are a bit stubborn. But it's not impossible to train one to use a harness. My Grey will have one on, my Zon I can put one on, my senni is Like " You just try putting that on me and see what happens" He goes into fight mode and you'd better not be anywhere near with that harness or you will be mulch. My male Ekkie will let me now, was a bit reserved at first but is ok with it now....he doesn't want to do anything with it on, so I take it off after a few minutes...he is still work in progress as he's just a 5 months old.

My Senni loves to be outside, once I lost him for a couple days, found him and though I find their wings and flight beautiful, I finally had to give in a clip his wings back. He was tormenting the other birds with his confidence in and expertise in flying around. Not something I would tell others to do, but it's what I had to do given the circumstances and do a bit more basic training again with him. He can be an evil terrorist with his flying, but since he has been a complete sweety and goes outside and for rides now.

 

[Mariar]

So what do I do if my severe is afraid of everything( that's why her name is sissy. Lol) .especially being touched..do I wait till she's comfortable with us touching her( which we do against her will) we do touch training every night and the only time she doesn't mind is when I put her on the floor..but I'm dead set on the aviator harness. She's got a bad clip so I'm doing this just so she can come outside with me..thoughts??

 

[Birdman666]

Beware of 'tude.

Tough call.

That's one of those things where maybe if you get it on him a few times he accepts it, but will never accept it UNTIL you get it on him... (Getting it on him the first time involving major DRAMA, and probably a blood draw or two.)

Depends on how tame and accepting he is.

I'd try the dark room trick first.

 

[JerseyWendy]

So what do I do if my severe is afraid of everything( that's why her name is sissy. Lol) .especially being touched..do I wait till she's comfortable with us touching her( which we do against her will) we do touch training every night and the only time she doesn't mind is when I put her on the floor..but I'm dead set on the aviator harness. She's got a bad clip so I'm doing this just so she can come outside with me..thoughts??

I would definitely hold off trying on the harness until she is more comfortable and relaxed while being handled.

You said she doesn't mind getting touched while on the floor, so I'd spend a LOT of time sitting on the floor with her, loving on her gently, and often. I firmly believe she will eventually thoroughly enjoy the handling sessions.

Since you have a lifetime with her, no need to rush things. Sissy (LOL) will come around.

 

[Boniface]

So my Senegal Patrick is a year old. We've had him about 9months.
I'm trying to get him used to a harness so I can take him outside. I'm trying a technique where I say, "harness" and then run my hand over his head and lift his wings. This is to prepare him for the action of fitting a harness.
He's not keen on this, but worse still is he's terrified of the harness going on him in any way (I'm talking more about the strap touching him than trying to put it on).

I've been contemplating forcing it on him and then reconciling but I'm not sure.

What are the community's thoughts?

Hmmm, well My experience with trying one on a Senegal I have. He won't have it. And definitely can't force it, He will bite your hand off just thinking about it. Senegal's are a bit stubborn. But it's not impossible to train one to use a harness. My Grey will have one on, my Zon I can put one on, my senni is Like " You just try putting that on me and see what happens" He goes into fight mode and you'd better not be anywhere near with that harness or you will be mulch. My male Ekkie will let me now, was a bit reserved at first but is ok with it now....he doesn't want to do anything with it on, so I take it off after a few minutes...he is still work in progress as he's just a 5 months old.

My Senni loves to be outside, once I lost him for a couple days, found him and though I find their wings and flight beautiful, I finally had to give in a clip his wings back. He was tormenting the other birds with his confidence in and expertise in flying around. Not something I would tell others to do, but it's what I had to do given the circumstances and do a bit more basic training again with him. He can be an evil terrorist with his flying, but since he has been a complete sweety and goes outside and for rides now.

Just to clarify was your senie taken outside with or without a harness?
I don't think I'd dare take Patrick out without.

 

[Birdman666]

So what do I do if my severe is afraid of everything( that's why her name is sissy. Lol) .especially being touched..do I wait till she's comfortable with us touching her( which we do against her will) we do touch training every night and the only time she doesn't mind is when I put her on the floor..but I'm dead set on the aviator harness. She's got a bad clip so I'm doing this just so she can come outside with me..thoughts??

I would definitely hold off trying on the harness until she is more comfortable and relaxed while being handled.

You said she doesn't mind getting touched while on the floor, so I'd spend a LOT of time sitting on the floor with her, loving on her gently, and often. I firmly believe she will eventually thoroughly enjoy the handling sessions.

Since you have a lifetime with her, no need to rush things. Sissy (LOL) will come around.

I agree with this. Very good advice. Train the bird inside first. Get him 100% comfortable with being handled and touched all over.

You can give him outside time by rolling the cage outside in the sunshine, when you are working in the yard, and such, for now...

 

[Mariar]

Thanks Wendy ..at times I feel like I'm rushing with her...I'm still not over doolie and I guess this is my way to keep my mind occupied..she's come along way since May 16.. The tiny pinch marks on my back prove that ( she likes to say I'll scratch your back,rubs her face on you then gives a small pinch and a kiss sound) I'll keep working with her on the floor..thanks birdman

 

[Birdman666]

So what do I do if my severe is afraid of everything( that's why her name is sissy. Lol) .especially being touched..do I wait till she's comfortable with us touching her( which we do against her will) we do touch training every night and the only time she doesn't mind is when I put her on the floor..but I'm dead set on the aviator harness. She's got a bad clip so I'm doing this just so she can come outside with me..thoughts??

Desensitization training... gradually exposing the bird to more and more, until it no longer spooks her.

And severe's need additional socialization work. They are very prone to one person issues...

 

[Mariar]

She's warming up to both my fiancé and me ..during the day she's all mine and at night she's all his. We let her walk on the back of the couch when we are both sitting together..she finds it funny to play with both our hair or back of our shirts. Like I said we got her may 16 and for a bird who was never touched she's doing very well in my opinion. Thanks for the great advice..questions will keep coming. :30:

 

[itchyfeet]

I managed to get my IRN into his for the first time this morning. I had Ethyl in hers first, not sure if that helped or not. He hung onto my wedding ring and would not let go at one point, but then sat in an apple tree outside and ate an almond sliver no worries! He wasn't thrilled, but wasn't anti either once we got past the initial 'I'll eat your jewels if you do this' stage. He came with a horrific clip and I've been keen to get him into the harness before he's fully flighted again, so I possibly pushed him harder than what would be recommended. I don't think I'd take him outside without his harness now, although previously he's been fine because he can't take off.

Both birds have their harnesses attached to their cages, on the outside, at the top. They're in sight all of the time and they're free to nibble/play with bits as they go. I check daily for wear and tear.

Good Luck Your persistence will be worth it!

 

[ShaunaR]

Thanks for starting this thread! I will be following it with interest since Pixie absolutely hates the harness. I feel like I should be playing the Benny Hill theme song whenever I try her with it because it ends up tangled in a silly mess. It's over her head and half on one wing with her turning and attempting to bite me and the harness! Then it's such a struggle to get the tangled mess off her, I never know whether to abort the mission at that point or keep trying to untangle it and get it fully on. Either way she ends up thoroughly peed off with a bunch of ruffled feathers in the end!

 

[djdancer]

When we first put the flight suit (similar to the harness) on our a Jenday that we had it would hold a grudge for a day or two afterward. After a few times didn't really hold a grudge anymore.

As someone said earlier I would hang the harness outside the cage but also pin it to your shirt so your bird knows that you like the harness.