Hi
I have a 12 week old ring neck had him 2 weeks settle in well the thing is I have started clicker training him first with his fav treat he has learned what the clicker means good food so I have moved on to the target stick training him the first time I put it in he went for it so click and treat but he lunges for the stick to bite aggressively at it not the gentle touch the tip, any tips to train him to touch it gently.
Thanks
Help with Target clicker training
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Re: Help with Target clicker training
Hi I might be able to help,
I clicker train all my animals... bird, cat, dog and currently a Magpie which I saved from the mouth of a cat!
With a bird and the stick part of training it's best to start with your hand first and without a clicker.... move towards the bird until it just starts to react and then stop still until it calms down again... when it is calm and doesn't react walk away and *click* ...do the same again but forward a little more pausing still each time. Only do this for about 5 mins at a time.... this stage can take anywhere between a day to a couple of weeks to work. Keep repeating this step and move closer each time... eventually you should be able to touch his beak without him/her lashing out.
Then you can try the stick phase which should work better after trying this 'pause' stage.... the stick is to get him to move to you when you call, you shouldn't shove it under his nose but let him approach it... so when he approaches and touches the stick calmly *click* and say his name or whatever you want him to react to and reward him. Remember to only reward for good behaviour and not 'almost did it' or bad behaviour.
...anyway... good luck and I hope it helps!
I clicker train all my animals... bird, cat, dog and currently a Magpie which I saved from the mouth of a cat!
With a bird and the stick part of training it's best to start with your hand first and without a clicker.... move towards the bird until it just starts to react and then stop still until it calms down again... when it is calm and doesn't react walk away and *click* ...do the same again but forward a little more pausing still each time. Only do this for about 5 mins at a time.... this stage can take anywhere between a day to a couple of weeks to work. Keep repeating this step and move closer each time... eventually you should be able to touch his beak without him/her lashing out.
Then you can try the stick phase which should work better after trying this 'pause' stage.... the stick is to get him to move to you when you call, you shouldn't shove it under his nose but let him approach it... so when he approaches and touches the stick calmly *click* and say his name or whatever you want him to react to and reward him. Remember to only reward for good behaviour and not 'almost did it' or bad behaviour.
...anyway... good luck and I hope it helps!
Last edited by Lilly on Fri May 28, 2010 8:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Help with Target clicker training
Great advice Lilly!
I have 2 IRNs and one of them does not like being handled or even any hands near him. I was planning to start with the clicker training this weekend, I'll try your hand technique first, to get him more comfortable. Sometimes he lets me touch him but he's usually not terribly comfortable with it.
He's got a hip handicap so the fact that he tries to run from me makes it so much harder to help and work with him.
I have 2 IRNs and one of them does not like being handled or even any hands near him. I was planning to start with the clicker training this weekend, I'll try your hand technique first, to get him more comfortable. Sometimes he lets me touch him but he's usually not terribly comfortable with it.
He's got a hip handicap so the fact that he tries to run from me makes it so much harder to help and work with him.
Re: Help with Target clicker training
That makes perfect sense Lily. My new IRN does exactly the same thing with the stick, even if I lower it closer to his feet rather than his beek or chest. But I am going to try the Finger. If he does bite it instead of touching it, my natural reaction is to pull away which probably isnt helping at all and I see its teaching him that if he wants me to pull away he must bite or lunge.
What is the best solution to prevent a bite during the training process?
What is the best solution to prevent a bite during the training process?
Re: Help with Target clicker training
I've been using your advice and having good results!
Archimedes still moves away at first but sometimes he'll come back and sit where he was. But after getting him comfortable with my hand at least being near him, he will now eat from my hand, and he doesn't totally freak out on those times its necessary that I need to pick him up. He doesn't like it but he no longer struggles and makes his angry sound. He even perched on my hand for a few minutes out of the cage.
Good progress, thanks again!
Archimedes still moves away at first but sometimes he'll come back and sit where he was. But after getting him comfortable with my hand at least being near him, he will now eat from my hand, and he doesn't totally freak out on those times its necessary that I need to pick him up. He doesn't like it but he no longer struggles and makes his angry sound. He even perched on my hand for a few minutes out of the cage.
Good progress, thanks again!
Re: Help with Target clicker training
I'm glad to hear it's been working for you, you do have to be patient but it will work so just be persistent!!
My bird wasn't wild about being handled but I can literally stroke him like a dog now and he coos at me... well he says "Awwwww" and climbs closer to me.... he's so cute I could eat him LOL!
My bird wasn't wild about being handled but I can literally stroke him like a dog now and he coos at me... well he says "Awwwww" and climbs closer to me.... he's so cute I could eat him LOL!