clicker training

[vankarhi]

seeing as this is a "how do you train your birds" thread I thought I would share. I have started to clicker train Skye about 3 or 4 months ago (maybe not that long). I have taught her to fetch a ball, pick up a block and put into a container, to do hi five, shake hands (finger) turn around, oh and to target, that is the first thing you teach when clicker training (or how I did it anyway). I am training my dogs with a clicker too now. It is not hard or time consuming and from now on any new bird will be trained to do tricks this way. I do not train to step up with a clicker though, that is pretty easy most times to do without the clicker. The clicker only marks the behaviour anyway.

[guinevere]

Good to hear that these clickers do actually work, I've only heard of a few people using them!! Do you use the clicker for positive reinforcement with treats?
Hmm might try it with my dog too, good idea

[vankarhi]

yes I use it for positive re enforcement with both my birds and dogs. I only use it when teaching a new trick or trying to polish up an older one (especially when training my dogs).

[birdybug]

Awww jeez! Finally! Now i know that I am not the only one who uses clicker training. I use it on my dogs too. would you be willing to tell us (me) how you taught your bird to take a block and put it in a container? My birds can only shake, high 5, wave and dance. I have had trouble trying to teach them to pick things up!

[vankarhi]

I have posted about this in here before. I will try to find it for you.

[vankarhi]

I just had a quick look through the training tips section (the section we are in now) and there is quite a bit about training birds and clickertraining. Have a quick read. I posted in one to do with Conures and galahs and a red tailed black 'too as well as others. It makes interesting reading anyway if you have a look through this section.

[grego]

Were can you buy these clickers Tracey

[vankarhi]

I bought mine from a pet shop in Brisbane. But you used to be able to order the book and the clicker and the target online........maybe ebay??? I bought the book separate and used a knitting needle as a target and bought the clicker from Pet City in Wishart in Brisbane. We have a couple of clickers now.

[grego]

Thanks
Would it be to late to train Mylo with clicker, so l can free fly her,just wondering... for she is in moult now and l am thinking of letting three Primary feathers grow each wing so she can glide but not fly.

[vankarhi]

It shouldn't be too late. With my galah though she hated the clicker and the target.........so I couldn't do it to her.

[grego]

Mylo
who knows,but she has such a easy going nature and althou has panic attacks in public meeting ( which is understandable) never tries to fly away but flap.... her wings.to let me know she doesn't like what is happenning...l will try the clicker over Christmas holiday' s since l have 4 weeks off to see what happen's
Keep you all informed how it goes

[vankarhi]

4 weeks off...........how lucky are you. LOL

[avinet]

I have a clicker but haven't really done any work with the birds yet. Not enough hours in the day.

I did show it to Ernie the African Grey and after I clicked it twice he was clicking back to me, and it is now one of his favourite sounds when he wants to annoy me - the all time favourite is the smoke detector If he can get hold of the clicker he loves to make it click himself by pressing the button. Perhaps I can get him to clicker train Jamila!

cheers,

Mike

[bickitrainer]

Clicker training sounds useful

[vankarhi]

It can be if used properly but you don't necessarily need a clicker.

Avinet.......... lol I have read where some birds will imitate the clicker and thus drive their parronts crazy. The smoke detector..........oMG I am glad Skye hasn't learned that one. lol