To click or not to click train?

[Casey]

I have a GCC and a CAG that I want to start training beyond step up/down.

I've read some books and in the internet about training and I'm getting mixed information.

I would like some opinions about clicker training? Specifically to click or not.

One book says clicker training is a stop gap.

Thanks,

 

[ConureCrazy]

Well, I'm using clicker training, and its great. However, I am not using it to teach tricks or anything, just to tame my birds.

 

[wenz2712]

There are quite a few Members on the forum, that have had great results with Clicker Training! Have a look on Youtube, it shows you how to do it properly

 

[lene1949]

You don't have to use a clicker to use the concept... Sea animals in captivity, such a Seaworld, are being trained using a whistle to bridge the gap between the behaviour and the treat... If you ever watch programs from Zoo's you'll see that they also use a bridge for training... A lot of the animals in zoo's are being trained for medical procedures and checking health...

When the behaviour has been learned you don't need to use the clicker anymore...

 

[Casey]

Thanks everyone

When I was young I obedience trained dogs for show and competition, I never used a clicker but will try it with the parrots.

However with dogs you use their name as the attention signal then the command. For example; Spot come or Spot sit.

Should the same attention signal (name) then command be used for birds?

 

[solobaby]

the click is just used as a bridge , you can also use a phrase like "good"

 

[mrgoogls]

i dont even have a parrot yet, but i did clicker training with one of my two dogs.(and plan to with my quaker). it was much faster training with the clicker. i think it just helps them undertand better/faster.

 

[talldub]

From what I have read of the subject a clicker seems to be the best way to get fast results and for pinpointing the desired behavior. Once the animal has learned the desired action or rather has worked out what it will get rewarded for, you can then substitute a command/gesture. I'm expecting a book on this to arrive in the post any day now (the joys of living in Ireland, even books are hard to get!) and I'll read up more on it then and get started with training too.

I'd imagine however, that every animal is an individual and some will respond better to verbal bridges. Another book I have been looking at is written without the use of a clicker, I may order it at some point in the future. Good luck with the training regardless of how you do it!