Hi. I have an 8-month-old Green Cheek named Keshet. He is darling, talks a little (tells me to "step up!" all day!), and knows a couple of tricks. For nearly 4 months I have been working on harness training with him, using the Aviator harness and following Michael's method from the video as closely as I can. He had gotten very good at putting his head through the collar portion, but clearly finds the removal part quite uncomfortable, though I do it as gently as I can. Quite a few times I have succeeded in getting straps under one or both wings, and at least twice got almost to the point of snugging up the chest strap, but he resists and complains a lot, then he fights while I remove it.
I tried backing up and just using the loose loop for head-through practice, and he will do it, but he's now dead-set against putting his head through the actual collar. The harness clearly fits, but it is obvious to me that the fit of this harness around the head is tighter than that on the harness designed for larger birds, and removing it has to be uncomfortable, especially when new pin feathers are growing in the neck area. I know a woman who once had a lovebird harness-trained, and she encouraged me not to give up, but I wonder if this is a losing battle. I certainly don't want to make him miserable, but I also want to be able to give him lots of safe, fun outings.
Thank you in advance for any insights/advice!
Sharon