Training methods

[Bentayle]

Hi all!

I was just wondering what mehtods everyone has used for training their birds.
I know repartition is the key. Was just wondering what different signals or key words you all use??

Kazz

[AussieBirds]

Hi Kazz, I guess the first training command used by most people is the "up" command to teach you bird to step up onto your finger or hand. Some do it in different ways but in my case I usually place my finger or hand against the birds lower stomach and at the same time as I gently push against it body I say the word "up" hoping that he will step up onto my finger. Some others I have seen come from behind the bird but the results are usually the same. It is always best to reinforce the action with rewards and lots of praise whe the bird does what you want it tp do.

This is a start and I am sure other members will come up with a few other tips and tricks for you.

John

[lovemytiels]

Hi Kazz, when I am h/rearing my baby tiels, & they are in their first cage, I put my hand in about chest height & say on my hand. Once they start flying I use a certain whistle to call them back to me & it works. When I put them back in their cage, I tell them it is time to go back in the cage by having them on my hand & putting them on the perch. Same as when it is time to go to bed. I say time for bed at the same time every night & put their covers on. It is mostly repartition & also praising them a great deal with every action I do. I find that when it is time to sell the babys they will step onto the persons hand straight away. Hope this is what you are looking for. Cheers Anna

[Bentayle]

Thanks John/Anna, Yep I usesame sort of method. Although I must say Anna, I am impressed that you get the babies to come back to you with a whistle. Mine just seems to want to do laps and explore the big wide world.

How do train to love head scratches? I had a baby once that didn't like them, thought her feathers looked fine and got cranky if you ruffled them.
My hen I didn't have to train for head scratches at all she demanded them from the word go!

Mind you I have got and aviary full of wolf-whistlers at the moment. I only taught one and he taught everyone else! ;D

My h/r hen is pretty good though. I have taught her to go to her cage by word command "In your cage" and also "time for bed" she picked these up really quickly.

Kazz

[hillcresttiels]

Hi Kazz how is Pluto going as i miss him sometimes i think Pip does too as he still does Plutos mating call!
cheers Frank

[lovemytiels]

Hi Kazz, when the babys first learn to fly, there is no way they will come back to me. It is just a whistle I use & say (don't laugh please) come to mummy mummy. They all seem to get the idea when I use these commands. Some of my tiels get narky when you give them head scratches but this is due to new feathers coming in, males mostly but the females will just lap it up all day. I have one male pet tiel who I call bruce who loves head scratches & if you stop the little bugger will bite you. The more you ruffle his crest the better. When I h/rear my babies I try to only get no more than 2 out at a time that way they get lots of attention. Mind you I spend most of my day looking after babies when it is breeding season, but I adore them. I try to make my h/reared babies as friendly as I can with basic training already provided. Much easier for the new owner. Yep only need one tiel to teach the others. All my pet tiels & there are 8 of them & 3 ringnecks all talk & whistle, sometimes all together, but I love them dearly. Some of my males out in my avairies also wolf whistle but that is from hubby doing it. Cheers for now Anna

[Bentayle]

Thanks Anna, I promise I didn't laugh
Makes sense doing that was too. They associate the whistle with your command.
Might give it a go.

Frank, I posted about Pluto in Squalk talk.

Kazz