Can you train a bird “wings up” without using Capturing?
Added 2024-09-22 15:16:26 +0000 UTCA patron asked me this question and I thought it might be something you all wonder about, and so I wanted to take this opportunity to show you another method that isn’t capturing.
It’s not one we utilize in our training but it is an option if you cannot utilize capturing and need to train this behavior for medical exams or something similar.
If any of you happened to notice the “bald spots” under Bondi’s wings during this training, those are from years ago when she was first diagnosed with fatty liver disease because we didn’t know what we do now about proper parrot diets and nutrition. She has some lasting follicle damage where the feathers don’t seem to regrow.
It’s really nice to have the “rock out” on cue so that vets can look at those spots more closely upon exams and see if they’re regrowing ever or staying the same. Since she first started, they’ve stayed the same.
Let me know if there’s any questions about this!
Comments
Ok wow! I so see the difference between capturing and making it happen. I have thought my timnhey a long time ago to do big wings with a dog target stick that had a ball at the end. She was a bit fearful of it so it made her stick her wings up. Haven’t done that trick in over a year! I’ve tried it today after watching your video…… now I realize I totally clicked for the foot up + the wings! Totally my bad !!!!! Lol how do I get rid of the foot without making her loose the behaviour completely? I feel if I don’t click the wings up even thought there is a foot in the way I will loose the behaviour entirely……. https://youtu.be/fQvOxQZYBK4?feature=shared. I can so see the discomfort of my bird while training!!!! Good thing I filmed myself! Definitely will try capturing while bathing or other situation for my next birds!
Geneviève Bénard
2024-09-22 18:14:40 +0000 UTC
