I started clicker-training with Pepper

[Pookamama]

We've just done two sessions so far with basic target training, having her touch the end of a pencil, click-then-treat. She doesn't seem very enthusiastic about climbing about to get to the pencil but she will walk back and forth on the same perch. The kids are so excited and distract her a bit so I did the second session in a separate room.

Now I am really seeing what people mean about greys being cautious about new things! I got her two new perches a few days ago and will put her on them occasionally and she's good for about twenty seconds, then she wants OFF! But I did clicker training on one and that seemed a good distraction away from the fact that she was on the scary perch. I tried it on the floor of that room and she hated that even more. We may have to stick to familiar rooms for her to get better results at first-she's still getting to know the place.

When she gets where she target trains to the pencil really well, what should I progress to next?

 

[lene1949]

Good job! Keep up the target training... Put the target different places in her cage - up, down, corners etc... You want her to look for that target stick... Also use a cue such as 'target' or 'touch', so you later can use different targets.

My first clicker trained bird was an extremely aggressive Green Cheek Conure... I target trained him over several months... First from inside his cage, then with and open cage/outside the cage... Then walking up ladders and other things I could find and lastly I put the stick on my hand and he flew to me, touched the stick and got a treat... He later learned to put items into a bowl, walk up a ladder to ring a bell, put 'money' in the money box, put rings on a peg etc...

We never stopped targeting...

 

[wolf0994]

Is there such an age that is too old to start trying this? Though I have my doubts... kawie doesnt like sticks at all, or anything but your fingers near him for that matter.

 

[Davinchi]

I was wondering that also Wolf. Seems like they learn a little better with clickers. I hope its not too late for mine.

 

[wolf0994]

I was wondering that also Wolf. Seems like they learn a little better with clickers. I hope its not too late for mine.

Kawie doesnt regurgitate on me or for me, so I think you got a better shot

 

[Davinchi]

I was wondering that also Wolf. Seems like they learn a little better with clickers. I hope its not too late for mine.

Kawie doesnt regurgitate on me or for me, so I think you got a better shot

I told my wife what that meant and she said it was grossly cute, but that she wasn't having any kids with Picasso no matter how much he throws up for her...lol