Sammy's Progress

[FloJo]

Well, Sam and I are making some progress. Sam is the U2 who's very, very fearful of almost everything. His cage is his safe place and he doesn't like to leave it.

A week or so ago I got the Clicker training for Birds book, which I have read cover to cover twice, and Dr. Cook's DVD, which Sammy and I have watched a number of times. As a side note, Sammy really likes Merlin. Everytime Merlin comes on the screen Sammy runs over to the monitor and tries to touch Merlin, it's very cute :).

Anyway, we are not making lots of progress with targeting as I can't seem to find anything Sammy likes enough to work for. He's not food oriented, getting him to eat is tough, and I give him praise and scritches but I can't withhold that at other times. He will do it for a couple of times then he's done. Does anyone have any suggestions on other treats I could give. He loves cookies and I'm considering giving him little bits of cookies but I don't want to promote his sweet beak. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Sam is getting braver though. I walked into the bird room this morning and couldn't find Sammy. I finally located him on the floor behind his cage. He's never gotten on the floor before. Obviously he's getting a little braver. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/2601475644_42d77a8497.jpg
Where's Sammy??

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2601476166_d6916eb984.jpg
There he is behind the Rat Zappper, which was immediately moved to a location Sammy can't reach!!

On a side note, Peanut the Indian Ringneck is doing extremely well with the training. I give him millet seed and he will do just about anything for that :p

[Shirley]

Good job on your efforts! If he will "work for cookie crumbs" then so be it - just no chocolate. Some cookie bits are fine during training... the pieces will be tiny, and you only teach for 5-10 min at a time usually.

Thank you for the report! Keep it up!

Shirley

[Letha]

My Rex is the same, I can't find anything that he will work for. But that doesn't keep me from trying, maybe snap beans.....

[Shirley]

When teaching outside of the cage, choose a location in a separate room from the bird's cage. Choose a time of day that works well for your bird - when he's awake, eager to play, before he has been fed his breakfast or supper. Use tiny bits of a treat, like a bit of peanut or almond. Keep your sessions short - 2-5 minutes for starters. Take very small incremental steps - does your bird know what you want him to accomplish? Start with targeting - a chopstick, a toy, a spoon, anything, and eventually, your finger. Be sure your timing is exact. Patience. Hold the target stick a few inches away from the bird. He will reach to touch it. Don't push it up to his beak. If he withdraws from it, then choose a target object that is less threatening for him to touch.

Watch the targeting videos linked in Dr. Cook's articles.

If you are teaching through the cage bars and he does the behavior, but refuses the treat, then drop it in his bowl. He'll know you gave it to him, even if he chooses not to eat it then. :)