Bonnie has started clicker training
Aug 25, 2017 4:29:04 GMT -5
easttex, julianna, and 1 more like this
Post by biteybird on Aug 25, 2017 4:29:04 GMT -5
OK, finally I decided that drastic measures were needed, so tonight I started clicker training with Bonnie.
She's been a bit bizarre in her behaviour (as you all know) for a while; one day nice as pie and the next a feral monster. We had a couple of hormone implants installed, which did seem to level her out a bit, but not completely. She is still quite aggressive to my husband and me on occasion.
A few months ago I ordered a clicker, which until now hadn't been used due to us being REALLY busy then me finding a new job and moving interstate to Darwin, etc.
Well today I decided something HAD to be done! When my hubby and I got home at around 5:45pm today, we went up to Bonnie's cage to say hello and she rushed at our fingers, trying to peck us (which has become more frequent recently).
So I picked her up in the beanie and took her into the bedroom to do the training - as the couch/sofa seems to be the place she attacks hubby.
I took some medium parrot mix (seeds) in a container.
I put her on the bed and she climbed out of the beanie looking VERY curious and eyeing me off. I put my finger closer to her and said "step up", whereupon she made an attacking motion with her beak...OK, I thought, I have to change my approach!
I then put a couple of seeds on the bedsheet and said "Come here, Bonnie". She just stood there upright for about 30 seconds and I swear I could see her little brain trying to work it out!
....like "What the hell is she doing now?"
I repeated "Come here", then she walked slowly over near the seeds and just before she went to grab one I did the click.
We went through this about 6-7 times and then she did actually step up for me after that and had scratches. I am sure she associated the click with the treats, pretty quickly.
I will have to reread all the threads about clicker training. I plan to do short (5-10 minute) sessions most days over the next few weeks.
Perhaps I can convince hubby to be the reward giver when I operate the clicker - maybe that will endear them to each other again.
Thanks for reading/listening!
She's been a bit bizarre in her behaviour (as you all know) for a while; one day nice as pie and the next a feral monster. We had a couple of hormone implants installed, which did seem to level her out a bit, but not completely. She is still quite aggressive to my husband and me on occasion.
A few months ago I ordered a clicker, which until now hadn't been used due to us being REALLY busy then me finding a new job and moving interstate to Darwin, etc.
Well today I decided something HAD to be done! When my hubby and I got home at around 5:45pm today, we went up to Bonnie's cage to say hello and she rushed at our fingers, trying to peck us (which has become more frequent recently).
So I picked her up in the beanie and took her into the bedroom to do the training - as the couch/sofa seems to be the place she attacks hubby.
I took some medium parrot mix (seeds) in a container.
I put her on the bed and she climbed out of the beanie looking VERY curious and eyeing me off. I put my finger closer to her and said "step up", whereupon she made an attacking motion with her beak...OK, I thought, I have to change my approach!
I then put a couple of seeds on the bedsheet and said "Come here, Bonnie". She just stood there upright for about 30 seconds and I swear I could see her little brain trying to work it out!
....like "What the hell is she doing now?"I repeated "Come here", then she walked slowly over near the seeds and just before she went to grab one I did the click.
We went through this about 6-7 times and then she did actually step up for me after that and had scratches. I am sure she associated the click with the treats, pretty quickly.
I will have to reread all the threads about clicker training. I plan to do short (5-10 minute) sessions most days over the next few weeks.
Perhaps I can convince hubby to be the reward giver when I operate the clicker - maybe that will endear them to each other again.
Thanks for reading/listening!
I look forward to reading how it goes with her.
