Touch training

[Gizmomania]

I discovered when I introduced my new Amazon to touch training today that he's deathly afraid of stick-like objects. What else can I use? I tried putting food onto the end of it and also tried attaching a jingling ball.

I'd really like to teach him to step up as soon as possible.
Thanks!

 

[JoeR]

You could use a ball, or any other object he isn't afraid of. It doesn't need to be a stick or probe.

 

[MonicaMc]

A pen without the ink, your hand, a craft stick.... the "target" can be anything you want it to be!

 

[antoinette]

If you have a little chain with a bell hanging on the end
Just move the chain slightly, let the bell tinkle.
Most birds love the sound of a bell tingling and will move towards it.

Please keep us updated as to what you used.

Good luck

 

[henpecked]

I'd shorten the small stick to where it only protrudes and inch or two beyond my hand. maybe start by feeding treats by hand while holding the shorten stick. I'd hold it in a way that it doesn't protrude in his direction. Don't approach him from above his head, keep it at foot level or below. He can reach down for it easy enough, after he becomes accustom to it.

 

[Gizmomania]

Made adjustments, and am using a touched seed with a click to elicit the behavior that I'm looking for. Inanimate objects just didn't cut it at this point in time.

Today Harley placed one foot on my finger and left it there WITHOUT nipping!!! Yes!!! Now hoping for foot number two to make it onto my finger without any bites.

He's a very cautious bird, indeed. He'll step up onto his java perch, but only briefly before he retreats back to the top of his cage. Seems like every step is going to be done with caution on his part, at least for now.

 

[Gizmomania]

I've been working on clicker training Harley at least twice a day since he arrived one week ago. So far he'll put one foot onto my hand to reach a treat, and occasionally his second foot will leave the security of the top of his cage to briefly rest it on my hand. Today was the first time he didn't take a swipe at my hand once he realized he was holding onto my finger.

Today I almost had a heart attack when he flew from the top of his cage onto the floor in front of me. I thought, ok, this is where the clicker training could pay off. I slowly approached him, knelt down, said 'up', and he stepped up without biting me, and he let me place him back onto the top of his cage! I am doing a happy dance!

He even spent 10 minutes standing on his java perch, which is another huge step for him.

 

[MonicaMc]

Sounds like you are making great progress with him!!!! Well done!

 

[JoeR]

I slowly approached him, knelt down, said 'up', and he stepped up without biting me, and he let me place him back onto the top of his cage! I am doing a happy dance!

He even spent 10 minutes standing on his java perch, which is another huge step for him.

Very cool. Some birds sure do take baby steps. Imagine how rewarding it is to the bird as well. I'm sure it craves interaction, but is too afraid of you to do so. Now you are changing that. I'm equally glad for you both.

Joe

 

[senegalgray]

You can use anything you like,
Let the bird get used to an object, place the object at the bird and leave the place.
Repeat the operation several times until you see that bird feel comfortable with the object.
It should not take a long time. Then you can start to practice
good luck

 

[Birdman666]

I discovered when I introduced my new Amazon to touch training today that he's deathly afraid of stick-like objects. What else can I use? I tried putting food onto the end of it and also tried attaching a jingling ball.

I'd really like to teach him to step up as soon as possible.
Thanks!

How does he do with fingers?!

If he's tame, why use a stick?!

And the zon's normal reaction to anything like this is to recoil in horror, and then attack it if you set it down. It's normal.

The more you do it, the less they care. That's the foundation for de-sensitization training.

 

[Birdman666]

Oh, and I forgot.

If he bites fingers, just wrap a thick towel around your arm, have him step up on that. He can bite that all he wants and it won't hurt, and you send the message "you don't scare me, bird, and that doesn't work."

 

[getwozzy]

Wow! Sounds like you're doing an awesome job with Harley!