Harness training?

[Rach]

I bought an aviator harness for my Senegal parrot. He is really good about not biting me, but when I try to put it on he immediately tries to attack. I took my time and introduced it to him, he wasn't afraid of it and let me rub him all over with it. He trusts me, atleast I think he does. He will let me pet him anywhere, flip him on his back, and do anything with his wings.

Then came the day when I tried to put it on... dunn, dun, dunn. As soon as I got it on, he literally fell over. He wouldn't get up. Then he started to scream. I was horrified. I watched videos on where you have to bring him outside as soon as you get it over him, but he wouldn't stand up. And I didn't get it adjusted in time. I told him he was a good boy, and praised him like he was god. Then i took it off, and he was scared, very scared. After about two weeks of getting him used to it touching him again, without him freaking out. I tried it again, and the same thing happened. It's not too tight at all, so I don't know why he's doing it. After I take it off he breaths like he just got done flying a 500mile race.

He isn't really food driven, so treats won't work. But even if he they did he goes into a trance? and the only way to get him out is to take it off..

 

[Quantumcat]

When I put Scarlett's harness on before she was ready, she would be so intent on biting it that she would fall off whatever she was standing on. Taking her outside didn't help either, she never once looked away from the harness! She didn't even know she was outside. Something you can try is convert him to eating a one or two or three meals a day, and put the harness on before you put him with the food. If he doesn't eat it, he'll have to content himself with whatever the yuckiest food is you can find to give him as snacks in between meals (pellets?). If at any time he takes a bite and then goes back to wailing about being in a harness, take it off him as a reward and take away the food - he may hopefully learn he has to eat while he's got the chance, and will just have to suck it up and ignore the harness. That's what I did to Scarlett and it worked fine. She loves (maybe an overstatement) her harness and loves to go outside. She never once bites her harness anymore when outside in it. In fact she sort of helps me get it on by stretching her neck out and lifting her wings a bit!

 

[Rach]

Thanks, i'll try it. D; if i can ever get him over being scared.

 

[parrotqueen]

Even though he lets you rub it all over him, apparently; he somehow still doesn't trust the harness enough. Try putting it in his cage, and leaving it there as his new 'toy'. Allow him to throw it around, mouth it, and figure out that it's safe. After having it in his cage, try taking him out with it again. Again, let him play with it for a minute. And then, rub it all over him like you said he'd allow you to. Take this step slowly, you don't want to advance too quickly. It might scare him further, so start by just touching his toes or petting his head for example. Slowly start to touch the rest of his body for awhile, and finally; try to put it on him.

Taking things in birdie's pace makes it easier for him to trust the new object. Just be patient.

 

[2Birds3Kids]

We put a harness on our flighted cockatoo every time we go out. She is my 8 year old daughter's pet. They don't like them, but the will tolerated it over time. Just keep taking him out in it. If he won't stand up after you get it on him, just gently pick him up and let him ride on his favorite part of you (our tiel loves to ride on our shoulder). Be sure there is lots of slack on the leash, as it is quite heavy for a tiel.

Hopefully he will be having such a good time he will forget it is on.