Outside recall training

[Johnny]

Hello parrot lovers!

I have a problem with recall training outside. I just cannot find anything to encourage my macaw to fly to me - or to motivate her. But dont get me wrong, at home, she is perfect (almost). She would fly to me on command from anywhere, she would fly to her perch, to my arm etc. I clicker trained her and I use it outside too. But when we get outside, she just focuses on other stuff and not me. She looks at the sky, at the birds etc - that is fine BUT we were going outside for almost a year now, and she still looks like she is outside for the first time, not paying attention. She is not attracted to treats I show her or give her for succesfull recall. We started the recall on a very small length (first just slightly longer step up so she has to jump a little bit, then like half a meter). I try to encourage her, motivate her but it just does not work outside. Do you guys have any tips what I should change or try to do? Any help is appreciated, because I am really without ideas.

Thanks again,
Johnny.

(PS: sorry for bad english )

 

[Mekaisto]

Have you tried special treats, reserved ONLY for when she comes back to you outside? Maybe a special toy? Is she looking around as if she's scared, or curious?
Flight training should be about the bird's happiness, if she doesn't like being outside, I wouldn't force her - a bird that's spooky when outside is more likely to panic and fly off, and get hit by a predator.

Many parrots that are not introduced to the outside world from a young age can struggle with being outside, it is such a big, busy, scary place.

 

[Johnny]

Hello Mekaisto!

I am quite sure that she is not scared outside. Actually, she really likes it. When we get outside, she starts talking and making funny sounds etc. She is not trembling, she does not look tense. She just looks around. I am giving her soaked biscuit when training, sometimes pecans in small amount. She knows thats the treat for training. Maybe I could try some toy - well not toy exactly, but something she really likes (like a cup that she just oves to play with (plastic). But I dont want to teach her to recall on a cup, if you know what I mean

Also, I should mention that it almost looks like she is ignoring me outside, like I am not there. We tried this thing when I put her on the ground, then she took off when I called her and like 3 meters right before my arm she shifted to the left and just passed me, like I wasnt there - then landed on the ground because the harness line ended. Or maybe, she just doesnt know what to do yet, or does not know what I want from her

 

[Anansi]

Hey, Johnny. Maybe you could do all of her outside flight training between meals. As close as possible to her next feeding time so that she is at her hungriest. Then treats will be a bigger motivator.

I'm not big into food management or anything, but I've noticed that if I'm training Bixby at 5:30 (his dinnertime is usually around six) he's mysteriously far smarter and more intuitive than he would be at around 7:30. Lol!

 

[MonicaMc]

You may want to consider finding another training treat that you can only reserve for use outside.

 

[lebachu]

implement management methods good food you will create strong attention from the bird.

 

[Johnny]

Yeah, I guess I will have to work a little bit on our food management, right now it is not very good so I am not surprised she is not attracted to treats, when there is something to eat in her bowls all day. Then I might find some new treat that she likes Also, today after outside training (same old story, she would just step up, not fly to me from perch) I showed her her favourite "play cup (mug)" and I immediately got her attention. Then she flew to me and took it, so I was very happy Guess she is really not motivated by the food. But I cannot teach her "cup recall" But it is a good start a suppose

 

[Kalidasa]

Yeah, I guess I will have to work a little bit on our food management, right now it is not very good so I am not surprised she is not attracted to treats, when there is something to eat in her bowls all day. Then I might find some new treat that she likes Also, today after outside training (same old story, she would just step up, not fly to me from perch) I showed her her favourite "play cup (mug)" and I immediately got her attention. Then she flew to me and took it, so I was very happy Guess she is really not motivated by the food. But I cannot teach her "cup recall" But it is a good start a suppose

Sure you can! Anything will do for recall, I used a jingle-toy, and other objects he likes to grab or attack (especially things that make a sound). Just use it in conjunction with a verbal command or call, and practice often. Make sure you have the favored object when you go outside, even after he masters it so you have something familiar for him to focus on. Not all birds are treat motivated, so you improvise with something else. A cup is fine if he goes after it. Rattles are good too because of the sound.