Towel Training

[katie_fleming]

Hey guys!

I've been working with Jasper to towel train him over the past month (I'll have a video of his progress soon I am very proud of him).

He now lets me wrap a towel around him no problem while he's sitting on his portable perch. I think he actually likes it now

My question is, what's next? The purpose of towel training him was for future vet visits, wing clips, etc. But I'm not sure how to pick him up once he's in the towel. I'm not comfortable grabbing him around his neck as I've seen people do. And I don't know how to have him so a wing would be exposed to trim, etc.

What do I do next? Thank you.

Also, the next thing I want to start working on is harness training. One of the steps I see in the DVD is having him let me open his wings. He won't let me open them whatsoever. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[Birdman666]

Nothing from the sounds of it. Scratch his head? Give him a treat.

The idea is to make it so that they can easily and towel them without stress.

Once they accept it, you're done.

 

[Anansi]

Good job with the towel training! You've got an impressive training regimen going on!

And as for picking him up, I wouldn't do the neck thing. Not if you're referring to how that Parrot Wizard dude does it. Have you noticed how freakishly long ekkie necks are when they stretch? I don't see that going very well.

What you could do is getting him accustomed to you scooping him up with the towel wrapped around him. You'd do this by wrapping your hands around his body. Just be VERY careful not to exert much pressure. Doing so would restrict his breathing.

 

[labell]

The picking up the wing thing I start just putting one finger under the edge of the wing and say "show me pretty" and make a big deal about how beautiful it is under there. Then slowly begin lifting it out further again with one finger until he will stretch it out for you.

 

[Mango121913]

The picking up the wing thing I start just putting one finger under the edge of the wing and say "show me pretty" and make a big deal about how beautiful it is under there. Then slowly begin lifting it out further again with one finger until he will stretch it out for you.

This is what I do too! I also talk real softly and he rests his beak on my lips, the quieter, the more he seems mesmerized.

 

[ParrotsAhoy]

This is a timely thread, my husbands been working with Tach to get him comfortable with the towel being next to him (check), the towel touching him (check), the towel being over him (peakaboo! check), and then we wernt quite sure how to transition into practicing 'vet holds'; sounds like we should try to very gently place our hands around him on the outside of the towel until he gets used to being lightly restricted, and then, if alls going well, practice tipping him on his back in the towel.

 

[Anansi]

That's my thought. Once you can tip him on his back in the towel, there's really nothing else to be done.

 

[Birdman666]

That's my thought. Once you can tip him on his back in the towel, there's really nothing else to be done.

Just one.

When you go to the vet or the groomers, teach them...

MY BIRD IS TRAINED TO ACCEPT THIS AS A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE, SO PLEASE DON'T GRAB HIM BY THE NECK. HERE, LET ME SHOW YOU...

The groomer/vet isn't gonna know. They're going to assume the bird's gonna try to bite them and act accordingly. We don't want them messing this up for no reason...

 

[katie_fleming]

Very helpful! Thank you. I haven't tried tipping him on his back yet, that would be good to try next....I have a feeling that will take awhile. Thanks for the tips about his wings as well, I will start working on that.

I showed him the flight harness for the first time last night and he was very curious. He actually let me drape it over his body and the part that goes over his wing over his head no problem. Off to a good start!

Thanks guys

 

[Anansi]

I showed him the flight harness for the first time last night and he was very curious. He actually let me drape it over his body and the part that goes over his wing over his head no problem. Off to a good start!

Thanks guys

SERIOUSLY?!? Bixby wanted to eat the darned thing from day 1!!! Hahaha!

 

[Ann333]

I showed him the flight harness for the first time last night and he was very curious. He actually let me drape it over his body and the part that goes over his wing over his head no problem. Off to a good start!

Thanks guys

SERIOUSLY?!? Bixby wanted to eat the darned thing from day 1!!! Hahaha!

Pumpkin wants to eat his flight suit too... something about the rough side of the velcro he loved beaking it.

 

[katie_fleming]

Haha Well he was certainly interested in chewing on it but was still pretty good! Last night he let me get the first part over his head, I was shocked. He wanted it off right away so I removed it, then a few minutes later I did it again and he let me! He got an almond for that one, and ate the whole thing with it around his head

 

[Dopey]

Great job! I need to get some harnesses.