Training sessions day 1

[boabab95]

Okay, so im Trying a new training method (actually i used it on my tiel)... since it's summer i can do it more often... already, after day one, he has stopped nipping.

Here's some pics:

His carrier, i take him out of the living room so he cant see his cage

Training area

Couple pics of him...eventually i might put a tripod and camera in there to video tape it...

 

[Beilana]

CUUUUTE!!!! Good luck with the training! let us know how it goes I'm still on the "step up" part with my GCC lol

 

[apatrimo94]

I'd like to try this with my tiel but he falls and stumbles in his cage every time I stick my hand anywhere near or in the cage. Any advice?

 

[boabab95]

I'd like to try this with my tiel but he falls and stumbles in his cage every time I stick my hand anywhere near or in the cage. Any advice?

Take him to a small room, like a bathroom, and bird proof it. Make sure it's not too big of a room or else it'll try to fly away. When my tiel went through this "intense" training, it learned how to sing, dance, talk, kiss, whistle, whistle tunes, stuff like that...

 

[apatrimo94]

How do I get him out of the cage though? I can't get him to step up.

 

[boabab95]

if it opens at the top, open it and let him crawl out, if not, this may sound cruel, but my birds are well behaived, take him out(not exactly force him/her, but kinda direct him out), eventually they'll learn that your hand is safe, and they'll hop on, or step-up.

 

[apatrimo94]

Once he jumps out, he runs away from me. So I can't catch him unless I use a towel. Sorry if I sound desperate. It's just been 2 months already and nothing seems to work.

 

[boabab95]

if he's that figity, then hold on to him with your whole hand (again, it may sound cruel at first, but it just gets them to the training spot.) if he runs, throw the towel on him and bring him to the training area.


LOL i should write a book.

 

[Aussie Ben]

Good to see some training going on everyone!

a94, a few things you could try. The most important thing is that you don't want to 'freak' the bird out.

Do you have a favourite treat that your tiel likes? use that to guide him.

The method b95 suggested of guiding him out is good too. I have used this in the past, but only when I need to get my tiel out when she deosn't want to (if I need to weigh her or something). She's quite comfortable with my hands so she doesn't get scared she just scampers around on the back wall being a pain.

These days I always recommend methods like target training. I wrote a little bit about it and gave some links in this thread: http://www.parrotforums.com/new-members-welcome/4886-newbie.html both my birds picked it up in less than 5 goes.

Remember to be patient and always use positive reenforcement. Try and only use grabbing and towling as last resorts, they will only set you back in your trust and training.

 

[apatrimo94]

Great! Thanks soooo much, AB. This is going to help loads, and I mean that. I tried everything possible. I kinda did something like the target training but nothing like the link on that thread you showed me.

 

[Aussie Ben]

Great! Thanks soooo much, AB. This is going to help loads, and I mean that. I tried everything possible. I kinda did something like the target training but nothing like the link on that thread you showed me.

NP. Its amazing how quick they pick it up and remember it. I haven't target trained my tiel since she got real sick about 2 years ago. I presented her with the stick for the first time since yesterday and she waddled over and nipped it like we had never stopped lol. I haven't used it on the cage before as she comes out by herself, but she is getting a bit stubborn, so i may have to start. Once you get your bird out of his cage, I recommend a table top stand or T-stand for training, in a place with few distractions.

 

[apatrimo94]

Thanks. Just one thing, is it a normal thing for a cockatiel to stumble and fall? I read somewhere that they are naturally clumsy parrots. Sometimes I'd be sitting in my couch, and his cage is nearby in my sight, and all of a sudden I see him crashing down to the bottom of the cage. And sometimes when he hops from perch to perch, sometimes he misses and falls. Should I be concerned about this? He's been doing this ever since I got him.

 

[Aussie Ben]

Thanks. Just one thing, is it a normal thing for a cockatiel to stumble and fall? I read somewhere that they are naturally clumsy parrots. Sometimes I'd be sitting in my couch, and his cage is nearby in my sight, and all of a sudden I see him crashing down to the bottom of the cage. And sometimes when he hops from perch to perch, sometimes he misses and falls. Should I be concerned about this? He's been doing this ever since I got him.

Hmmm...Buddy has fallen from her perch a few times but not on a regular basis. The safest thing to do would to be to call a vet and ask I spose. Tiels do tend to trip over their own feet a little.

(Eddie falls quite often while messing about, but with him I know hes just clumsy )

 

[apatrimo94]

ok, thanks. it's just with my mom, a vet trip is not gonna happen until I get money. And I have no idea how to get $80.

 

[GreenCheek]

Umm... then what happens if your 'tiel gets sick? I mean, really sick? How would he get to the vets? Sometimes a vet visit could run you $100+. Could easily get upwards of $300 with blood tests. That's the thing with children owning pets, the parents want no responsibility in it.

Edit: I hope you don't think I'm being rude with you. It's just a real concern. And it's not your responsibility, it's your mother's.

 

[Aussie Ben]

ok, thanks. it's just with my mom, a vet trip is not gonna happen until I get money. And I have no idea how to get $80.

$$$ Thats the problem isn't it. Maybe just call and they might be able to give you some advice. If its something that has always been happening I wouldn't be too alarmed. But if it is a change in behaviour or is getting worse then you would have cause for concern.

 

[apatrimo94]

Ok, I mean it doesn't get worse, it happens once or twice a day. Nothing serious, but it's always good to keep an eye on it. At least he's like me, I can't even walk straight because I have walking problems (I couldn't walk properly until I was 7 years old and I still struggle with it today), so I fall down once in a while. LOL

 

[Aussie Ben]

Ok, I mean it doesn't get worse, it happens once or twice a day. Nothing serious, but it's always good to keep an eye on it. At least he's like me, I can't even walk straight because I have walking problems (I couldn't walk properly until I was 7 years old and I still struggle with it today), so I fall down once in a while. LOL

Sorry to hear about that. Maybe its a case of 'birdie see, birdie do'

 

[apatrimo94]

Nah it's cool. Life throw's many obstacles at me. My walking ability, my hearing loss, my town, etc, but I just gotta accept it as a part of mme for it makes me who I am. And that's what's special about me. You're right, maybe it's a case of "birdie see, birdie do"

 

[GreenCheek]

No one else sees a bird not getting vet care as a problem? Ok...