Harness Training

[katie_fleming]

So for the past month+ I've been trying to harness train Jasper. I have a video I'll be posting soon.....

Basically he'll stick his head through the loop no problem. We had that down on his second session. I just hold it in front and he does the rest for me.

What we've been stuck on is the next part, getting a wing through one of the loops. He doesn't like me touching his wings, and I've never really worked on that separately with him, so I think that's the problem. As soon as I go to put my hand/fingers under his wing he tries to walk away, then off comes the harness (he can take it off his head in a second).

I've been able to get it over his wing a few times, but not consistently. The first time he got a whole almond (= you did a REALLY good job, and usually after that he always repeats that behaviour because he knows he got the BIG reward), but it's been a struggle to repeat.

I'm kind of getting frustrated, and not really sure how else to try this with him.

Any suggestions?

BTW he has a 'baby clip' but I still think it's safer to have him on a harness when it's time to take him outside, or if I want him on my balcony.

 

[Flboy]

FYI, read your other post related to this. Even in a harness, a hawk will grab him!

 

[Anansi]

I laugh because you have the exact opposite issue of what I had with Bixby. Getting the harness over his head was the major issue. Not that he was exactly cool with the wing part, either. But I had a system for that.

Basically, I made the wing loop nearly as large as possible. That way, I could slip his wing in with minimal lifting. Once I managed that, I'd shift the slack to the other side and do the same for that wing. The minimal wing movement allowed that part to go more or less smoothly, so maybe it will also help with Jasper.

But trust me, the head is the tough part. I think Jasper will be harness trained before long.

 

[katie_fleming]

You aren't going to believe this. Jasper just let me put the next part (step 2) over his wing THREE TIMES. And was fine! How did this happen?!?!

I have to record tomorrow!! I am so proud of him!!

 

[drlisaort]

Yay Jasper!

 

[torrap]

Yes!!!!
Good job, I can't get my zons to do it....not yet.....thanks for encouragement.
I wouldn't leave him outside with the harness on. Poor thing will not be able to defend himself (fly) in case of danger.

 

[katie_fleming]

Sorry, I think I wasn't clear. There's no way I'd leave Jasper outside unattended. I just mean I want to sit out on my balcony and have him join me!

I am uploading his harness training video soon, even though we're not 100% finished I'd love to show his progress. Esp considering its taken over a month to get here LOL

 

[Anansi]

You have no idea how relatively rapid your progress has been, Katie. I look forward to seeing your video.