Outside Time!

[OutlawedSpirit]

Miss Aria had some outside time today. She was not very excited about the harness loop going over her head, but once it was on, it's all okay. When practicing with her, her actual harness wasn't in yet, so I did not realize that the head loop was as small as it is, so she wasn't quite prepared for it. We'll get there. She was really interested in everything, she had to look at everything that moved and then some.

 

[WilliamKenyon]

That's awesome I love taking my ruby out and about in her harness as well. Reminds me so much of her lol. Bow what harness are you using it does not look like an aviator. Just wondering.

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

It's a Fred Bird harness

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Fred-Bird-Harness-Foot-Leash/dp/B018H0326I/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1462226339&sr=8-6&keywords=bird+harness"]Amazon.com : Fred Bird Harness with 6 Foot Leash - Made in the USA with Quality and Safety in Mind : Pet Supplies[/ame]

 

[wrench13]

That's a aviator, your being fooled by her coloring. Man, how did you get it over her wings? Salty does the head loop great but touching wings? No thanks dad. Here's a little nip to remind you!

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

She is fine with her wings, it's the head thing that she has an issue with. It also seems like the first time was a fluke. I didn't leave it on her long, just a few minutes for a trip outside. Then I took it off and gave her a little break. When I tried to put it on again, no almond would get her head through that loop. And here I thought I got lucky.

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

Miss Aria looks Adorable in her harness and real happy about her adventure
Its like an aviator harness but I dont see the elastic on it. If its not got elastic on it it wouldnt be safe if she took off in flight and suddenly reached the end of the lead as the sudden jolt of coming to a halt could injure her or even bring her crashing to the ground...the elastic bit on the Aviator harness prevents these sort of sudden jolt injuries as it slows them gradually like a bird would normally do in flight.
Wrench 13 I too want yo hear about how it went on under Aria's wings...you and me both will have big problems with the wings...Hee hee I think my problems are even bigger than yours when it comes to touching wings as my guy is still untouchable but I have discovered with my popsicle stick that there is a spot just under where the shoulder of the wing lies on Mr Biggles chest just down the outer side of the chest from that shoulder part of the wing and if I touch it the wing raises a little...perhaps Salty has a similar spot and that might be a start towards working with the wings and getting him to raise them

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

I don't know if it would help you at all, but I started with getting Aria to let me lift her wings before I tried to go under them. I would lift just the edge of her wing and ask her to "show me". When she was okay with that, I started pulling her wing out more. When I could fully extend her wing, then I started putting my hand under her wings.

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

She is fine with her wings, it's the head thing that she has an issue with. It also seems like the first time was a fluke. I didn't leave it on her long, just a few minutes for a trip outside. Then I took it off and gave her a little break. When I tried to put it on again, no almond would get her head through that loop. And here I thought I got lucky.

Go back to square one...introducing them to the harness is slow...it is best to hang it on their cage while you supervise of course and encourage them to play with it...then slowly work towards getting their heads near the loop...use one of the bigger wing loops first so she has lots of space and when she is happy to put her head through that loop without fear then move on to the smaller head loop...it takes a while to harness train them and small steps but first use your wide loop and put your hand and almond right through and offer it to her drawing her head a little nearer the loop with each treat until at last she is putting her head through that loop without fear to get her almond. Once she masters doing it with the bigger loop then and only then move on to the smaller head loop
I found a good video on it just now
[ame="https://youtu.be/etKRisR7vgo"]Tips to Harness Train a Parrot - GoodBirdInc.com - YouTube[/ame]

 

[wrench13]

That's what I used to get salty head thru the head loop. He loves doing that part, the stinker....he gets continuous treat while he is in the harness. I can lay the whole harness on his body , but no wings yet

 

[chris-md]

She looks so happy! Love those big doe eyes

Did you have a look through this sticky? Lots of great stuff in there.
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/59374-harness-training-videos.html

 

[Uglow]

wow, she's striking. good luck with the continued training.

 

[Brittany741]

She looks so happy! My Ruby loves her outside time, though I have to limit time in the sun due to potential for sunburns

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

We backslid with the harness a bit, but we're working on it. However, yesterday was so nice out that we still had some outside time. I have a wire dog crate that I have been taking her outside in on occasion. It's nice because I can put a perch in it for her and she loves sitting and looking at everything. I would use her travel cage, but it is so enclosed that she wouldn't really be able to see much.

 

[Anansi]

Beautiful shots of Aria outside!

Sorry she took a step or two backward with her harness training, but that's definitely been known to happen. I'd suggest just taking a few days for her to get past it and then try again. In the meantime, you can just keep working with her wings so she remains used to the sensation.