Gabe training

[asterroc]

Poop training is stalled: she seems to be pooping less, which I don't think is entirely healthy, so I'm holding off and observing her instead.

Harness/handing training is coming along. I haven't taken her out lately w/ the harness as I've been hanging out at home a lot. But the video from the Aviator company demonstrated the host holding an Amazon's wing up while counting to three slowly. I've modified that and occasionally hover my hand above Gabe's back while counting to three slowly. I repeat this around three times at a time, and have been slowly increasing what I do. How responsive she is (that is, sitting passively is a good thing, nipping at my hand is a bad thing) depends on where she's located when we do this - if she's on the arm of the chair where I usually do this she'll let me even rest my hand on her back and a finger on her head or neck, but if she's anywhere else once my hand gets within an inch of her she starts whining and lunging. Good thing 'tiels don't actually bite (usually). It's clear that she does NOT enjoy this, but is learning to tolerate it, so that much is a good thing. She definitely understands the count, as if I don't count she acts up immediately but if I do she calms down and tolerates it, or if I go longer or even slow down counting she acts up. I expect that with time and more patience she'll start to let me handle her this way, and maybe even scratch those damned pinfeathers off her head! :-P

Comments

[rumorofrain.livejournal.com]

Cool! Are you using any kind of reward (other than removal of your hand) for when she tolerates it? If not, offering even a single seed can make a big difference. I use single sesame seeds as training treats for my caiques. (Actually, at this point I usually give them a couple seeds, since their appetites are pretty insatiable.)

I'm always astonished that they'll work for such a tiny thing, but they do! And it gives them a reason to do whatever wacky thing I'm trying to get them to do, be it wave a foot in the air or hang upside-down.

I know some people are opposed to using food for training, but I think the idea that an animal should work without motivation is fallacious; after all, how many humans would do their jobs every day if they didn't know they were getting paid at the end of the week? Once the behavior is well-established, treats can be phased out easily.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I definitely should do the seed=reward thing. I keep forgetting. :-p I'm lazy too...

[rumorofrain.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I keep film cannisters (well-washed!) full of sesame seeds and banana chip pieces in various places around my apartment so they'll be handy whenever I have an impromptu training opportunity. (I like being able to reward them for responding correctly in real-life situations, not just in formal training sessions!)

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

And now that I'm soon not going to require the film canisters for storing quarters for wash (since the new place has W/D in the basement), that sounds like a good idea!