where to start with training?

[hnb]

So Joey is doing really great and I think it's time we start working on training, so he has something to do Do you guys have any recommendations on where to start? I have a clicker and treats.

 

[StChelle]

Target training is a good one and is a good foundation to use in other training down the road

 

[Tsali]

So Joey is doing really great and I think it's time we start working on training, so he has something to do Do you guys have any recommendations on where to start? I have a clicker and treats.

Congratulations on beginning your training saga with Joey. This will sound like a smart elect answer, but I mean it sincerely. First of all you have to let Joey learn that the clicker means "treat is coming". That is an absolute rule that cannot be broken. With my CAG, Tsali, I started the day after I brought him home at 3 months. Click/Treat Click/Treat Click/Treat. Parrots are brilliant, and you will be surprised at how quickly Joey will learn Click means treat. After you have conditioned him to know that as soon as you click he will get a treat, try clicking and watch closely to see if he reaches for his treat. That is when you know that he associates the Click/Treat deal. Never EVER be a deal breaker Click means Treat .

Next I would start with something very simple like touching a target stick (I use a chopstick) with his beak. I use the verbal command "Touch" - to begin with I would put the target right in front of his beak so that if he moved he touched it then immediately Click/Treat. In the beginning it is imperative that you make sure that Joey can be successful so that he will WANT to pay the training game. Always end a training session on a positive - stop and take a rest before Joey gets tired or loses interest. Several very short training sessions per day ending on a positive note will far outshine longer training sessions with even the slightest hint of frustration on either side.

Be sure that to continue with one task until Joey complies most of the time - clicking and treating after each repetition. Later, much later, in the training process you can treat randomly, but in the beginning, you cannot ever break the Click/Treat rule.

The more simple things Joey learns the easier it will be for him to learn more complex things. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

Target training is good as a first behavior and can be used to teach tricks such as turn around, recall, and go through hoop. A good first cued trick is wave because the only thing your bird needs to know for this trick is how to step up. Recall is another good one to teach flighted birds because it's important your bird knows how to fly to you in case of emergency.

 

[chris-md]

Here's what you need to do: target training to flight recall training. This video shows you how to do it.

[ame="https://youtu.be/DomDr-dXZtU"]Evolution of parrot flight recall training, a tutorial on how to recall train your parrot - YouTube[/ame]

And a little addendum to that video
[ame="https://youtu.be/p00iDTaMmM4"]Addendum to evolution of parrot flight recall training - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Tami2]

So Joey is doing really great and I think it's time we start working on training, so he has something to do Do you guys have any recommendations on where to start? I have a clicker and treats.

Congratulations on beginning your training saga with Joey. This will sound like a smart elect answer, but I mean it sincerely. First of all you have to let Joey learn that the clicker means "treat is coming". That is an absolute rule that cannot be broken. With my CAG, Tsali, I started the day after I brought him home at 3 months. Click/Treat Click/Treat Click/Treat. Parrots are brilliant, and you will be surprised at how quickly Joey will learn Click means treat. After you have conditioned him to know that as soon as you click he will get a treat, try clicking and watch closely to see if he reaches for his treat. That is when you know that he associates the Click/Treat deal. Never EVER be a deal breaker Click means Treat .

Next I would start with something very simple like touching a target stick (I use a chopstick) with his beak. I use the verbal command "Touch" - to begin with I would put the target right in front of his beak so that if he moved he touched it then immediately Click/Treat. In the beginning it is imperative that you make sure that Joey can be successful so that he will WANT to pay the training game. Always end a training session on a positive - stop and take a rest before Joey gets tired or loses interest. Several very short training sessions per day ending on a positive note will far outshine longer training sessions with even the slightest hint of frustration on either side.

Be sure that to continue with one task until Joey complies most of the time - clicking and treating after each repetition. Later, much later, in the training process you can treat randomly, but in the beginning, you cannot ever break the Click/Treat rule.

The more simple things Joey learns the easier it will be for him to learn more complex things. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!

Hi Tsali,

These are very thorough training instructions and much appreciated.
But, if you are giving a treat as a positive reinforcement why do the clicker as well? Why do two sets when giving a treat serves the reward purpose? What am I missing?

Thanks.

 

[LordTriggs]

So Joey is doing really great and I think it's time we start working on training, so he has something to do Do you guys have any recommendations on where to start? I have a clicker and treats.

Congratulations on beginning your training saga with Joey. This will sound like a smart elect answer, but I mean it sincerely. First of all you have to let Joey learn that the clicker means "treat is coming". That is an absolute rule that cannot be broken. With my CAG, Tsali, I started the day after I brought him home at 3 months. Click/Treat Click/Treat Click/Treat. Parrots are brilliant, and you will be surprised at how quickly Joey will learn Click means treat. After you have conditioned him to know that as soon as you click he will get a treat, try clicking and watch closely to see if he reaches for his treat. That is when you know that he associates the Click/Treat deal. Never EVER be a deal breaker Click means Treat .

Next I would start with something very simple like touching a target stick (I use a chopstick) with his beak. I use the verbal command "Touch" - to begin with I would put the target right in front of his beak so that if he moved he touched it then immediately Click/Treat. In the beginning it is imperative that you make sure that Joey can be successful so that he will WANT to pay the training game. Always end a training session on a positive - stop and take a rest before Joey gets tired or loses interest. Several very short training sessions per day ending on a positive note will far outshine longer training sessions with even the slightest hint of frustration on either side.

Be sure that to continue with one task until Joey complies most of the time - clicking and treating after each repetition. Later, much later, in the training process you can treat randomly, but in the beginning, you cannot ever break the Click/Treat rule.

The more simple things Joey learns the easier it will be for him to learn more complex things. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!

Hi Tsali,

These are very thorough training instructions and much appreciated.
But, if you are giving a treat as a positive reenforcement why do the clicker as well? Why do two sets when giving a treat serves the reward purpose? What am I missing?

Thanks.

the point of the clicker is to signal that a treat is incoming because they did what was asked. It also helps visually so they see the clicker appear then their attention becomes undivided as they know that thing means treats may be inbound

 

[Tami2]

Thank you LordTriggs.

Yes, I understand that. But, why is it necessary for successful parrot training?
As I've mentioned previously, I've had Labrador Retrievers my entire life. I have personally trained them all using a treat & praise as positive reinforcement. Knowing that parrots are far more intelligent than dogs, why do they need two steps as oppose to just a treat & praise?

 

[wrench13]

I personally have never used a clicker. Salty can see the treat, he knows its coming is h does his trick successfully. But a lot of folks use a clicker as a kind of audio re-enforcement that the trick was done right.

 

[LordTriggs]

Thank you LordTriggs.

Yes, I understand that. But, why is it necessary for successful parrot training?
As I've mentioned previously, I've had Labrador Retrievers my entire life. I have personally trained them all using a treat & praise as positive reinforcement. Knowing that parrots are far more intelligent than dogs, why do they need two steps as oppose to just a treat & praise?

I don't find it necessary in fact I really struggle with them. It works the same as a verbal cue which I prefer as I want to praise them when they do good, not have a thing to do it for me

 

[hnb]

Yeah I'm quickly getting tired of the clicker... Holding the chopstick, a hand full of treats, and a clicker (and sometimes Joey as well) takes more coordination than I have

 

[wrench13]

Watch some of Saltys training videos, we never use clicker or chop stick. . Search Youtube for "Salty Parrot Trick" there is over a dozen videos.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Yeah I'm quickly getting tired of the clicker... Holding the chopstick, a hand full of treats, and a clicker (and sometimes Joey as well) takes more coordination than I have

I get you with this. I have got my friends RB2 to do tricks, he is good and quick and expects his treat in a timely manner.

Found it awkward enough to fetch the piece of treat to his expectations, he certainly let me know if I was thought to be slacking in the prize giving department LOL

Here's hoping Salty's videos give you some tips, he certainly is the master

 

[hnb]

Haha exactly! If I don't get Joey the treats in a matter of seconds he takes the chopstick as ransom! And a chopstick is basically paper to that macaw beak. I'm going to watch those videos ASAP! I dropped off the forums for a bit while I was getting Joey adjusted

 

[plumsmum2005]

We would love some pics of Joey and wish you luck and success.

 

[hnb]

I'll be posting a bunch soon

 

[Tsali]

So Joey is doing really great and I think it's time we start working on training, so he has something to do Do you guys have any recommendations on where to start? I have a clicker and treats.

Congratulations on beginning your training saga with Joey. This will sound like a smart elect answer, but I mean it sincerely. First of all you have to let Joey learn that the clicker means "treat is coming". That is an absolute rule that cannot be broken. With my CAG, Tsali, I started the day after I brought him home at 3 months. Click/Treat Click/Treat Click/Treat. Parrots are brilliant, and you will be surprised at how quickly Joey will learn Click means treat. After you have conditioned him to know that as soon as you click he will get a treat, try clicking and watch closely to see if he reaches for his treat. That is when you know that he associates the Click/Treat deal. Never EVER be a deal breaker Click means Treat .

Next I would start with something very simple like touching a target stick (I use a chopstick) with his beak. I use the verbal command "Touch" - to begin with I would put the target right in front of his beak so that if he moved he touched it then immediately Click/Treat. In the beginning it is imperative that you make sure that Joey can be successful so that he will WANT to pay the training game. Always end a training session on a positive - stop and take a rest before Joey gets tired or loses interest. Several very short training sessions per day ending on a positive note will far outshine longer training sessions with even the slightest hint of frustration on either side.

Be sure that to continue with one task until Joey complies most of the time - clicking and treating after each repetition. Later, much later, in the training process you can treat randomly, but in the beginning, you cannot ever break the Click/Treat rule.

The more simple things Joey learns the easier it will be for him to learn more complex things. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!

Hi Tsali,

These are very thorough training instructions and much appreciated.
But, if you are giving a treat as a positive reinforcement why do the clicker as well? Why do two sets when giving a treat serves the reward purpose? What am I missing?

Thanks.

The "Click" is a bridge to span the gap between the exact moment in time that the desired behavior occurs and the time that the reward is given. Especially in the beginning, it is important for the treat to come instantly and because it is almost impossible to hand out the treat that quickly the "click" tells the trainee - bird, dog, cat, horse, possum, husband, etc. that something good is coming their way. I don't use a clicker - I am way too clumsy, my "click" is saying "YEAH". Tsali has learned to also say YEAH when he does something good - and yes he gets a treat . Must be a promise keeper.

 

[Jottlebot]

Yes the click and the treat don't do the same job. The click marks the correct behavior and the treat is the....erm....treat. A clicker is particularly useful when shaping a new behavior. So for example bird scratches head CLICK, then move the click forward to bird lifts foot up to go to scratch head CLICK, keep clicking at this point, eventually add in a command I say "Hi" and wave and you have a waving birdy! I find the precision of the clicker really important. I also chat to my McCoy and if I used a word to mark a behaviour I might say it in normal chat and that would be confusing. I've also noticed that he anticipates training when he sees the clicker and works harder to work out what he needs to do to get a treat!

 

[Tami2]

Thank you Tsali & Jottlebot appreciate your explanation. Now I have more clarity.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Congratulations on beginning your training saga with Joey. This will sound like a smart elect answer, but I mean it sincerely. First of all you have to let Joey learn that the clicker means "treat is coming". That is an absolute rule that cannot be broken. With my CAG, Tsali, I started the day after I brought him home at 3 months. Click/Treat Click/Treat Click/Treat. Parrots are brilliant, and you will be surprised at how quickly Joey will learn Click means treat. After you have conditioned him to know that as soon as you click he will get a treat, try clicking and watch closely to see if he reaches for his treat. That is when you know that he associates the Click/Treat deal. Never EVER be a deal breaker Click means Treat .

Next I would start with something very simple like touching a target stick (I use a chopstick) with his beak. I use the verbal command "Touch" - to begin with I would put the target right in front of his beak so that if he moved he touched it then immediately Click/Treat. In the beginning it is imperative that you make sure that Joey can be successful so that he will WANT to pay the training game. Always end a training session on a positive - stop and take a rest before Joey gets tired or loses interest. Several very short training sessions per day ending on a positive note will far outshine longer training sessions with even the slightest hint of frustration on either side.

Be sure that to continue with one task until Joey complies most of the time - clicking and treating after each repetition. Later, much later, in the training process you can treat randomly, but in the beginning, you cannot ever break the Click/Treat rule.

The more simple things Joey learns the easier it will be for him to learn more complex things. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!

Hi Tsali,

These are very thorough training instructions and much appreciated.
But, if you are giving a treat as a positive reinforcement why do the clicker as well? Why do two sets when giving a treat serves the reward purpose? What am I missing?

Thanks.

The "Click" is a bridge to span the gap between the exact moment in time that the desired behavior occurs and the time that the reward is given. Especially in the beginning, it is important for the treat to come instantly and because it is almost impossible to hand out the treat that quickly the "click" tells the trainee - bird, dog, cat, horse, possum, husband, etc. that something good is coming their way. I don't use a clicker - I am way too clumsy, my "click" is saying "YEAH". Tsali has learned to also say YEAH when he does something good - and yes he gets a treat . Must be a promise keeper.

I am getting right on with that! :45: