A follow-up to Daisy's biting problem

[Andromeda]

Yeah, I usually keep my treats behind my back so she focuses on the stick more, but it only helps a bit.

The only other thing I can think of to try to keep her less focused on treats is to alter the training environment so it's not easy for her to go after them. You say you train in your room so I don't know if you're putting her on a flat surface but it might work better if you use a training perch. If you place her on a stand around the level of your upper chest and you are standing in front of her and holding the treats behind your back it's hard for her to try to get at them and she may be more focused.

Michael sells training perches; I have two and I like them very much. They are great for flight recall or any other trick and once you do enough training on them the bird associates the perch with training and food rewards. My green cheek will even fly over to them excitedly to let me know he wants to train.

If you want something small and inexpensive there is The Percher. I also have two of those and really like them and they would be a good size for a lovebird. They are convertible so they have different configurations you can use.

[Wayne361]

I very much agree with last post. Training perches act as a rewarding place to be for the bird as "good things" happen when on the perches..i.e. treats, attention. Oscar is fully flighted and will only fly to other perches (or me if cued) and pretty much ignores everything else. Once in a while he would fly to me uncued in training.....he has never been rewarded with this behaviour and, as such, stays to the perches during training. Perch training assists in managing a flighted bird extremely well IMO.

Wayne

[angel198225ilb]

Can someone please give me a idea of what treats to use, Honey , eats almost anything, So I always see people giving their birds little treats? Not sure what they are though.....

[Wayne361]

Use a treat that isnt provided during regular feeding times. Sunflower seeds are often affective. I break mine into halves or thirds to maximize treat and to cut down on fat intake.

[cml]

Can someone please give me a idea of what treats to use, Honey , eats almost anything, So I always see people giving their birds little treats? Not sure what they are though.....

Most people use seeds I think, me included!

Sunflower seeds, safflower seeds etc works well as treats (but only treats as they are a little fatty), but cut up fruit works as well, as well as pieces of almond, nuts etc (avoid peanuts though, they arent good).

[angel198225ilb]

Thank you both , for replying that helps a lot....