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Clicker: treat each time or not?

Discuss the methods and techniques of clicker training, target training and bonding. These are usually the first steps in training a young parrot.

Clicker: treat each time or not?

Postby myster_pda » Fri Nov 04, 2016 9:19 am

Hi,

Please only answer this question if you know the answer. I have done a great deal or research but could not reach a conclusion.

Do you need to keep treating the parrot each time you click?
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Re: Clicker: treat each time or not?

Postby Pajarita » Fri Nov 04, 2016 1:03 pm

I am sorry I can't really help you. My birds know lots of commands and obey them 99% of the time even though I don't use a target, a clicker or any rewards but I would assume that the answer is: It depends on the bird, how much he loves you and what you are asking him to do.
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Re: Clicker: treat each time or not?

Postby Michael » Fri Nov 04, 2016 1:52 pm

If you need to ask, then yes. Ignore all the other ideas until you're at so high of a level of success with clicker training that you understand when you have to treat or not. Until then, treat every time you click and click every time the bird does the right thing. Simple.
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Re: Clicker: treat each time or not?

Postby Navre » Fri Nov 04, 2016 2:28 pm

I guess I would need to cut up sunflower seeds for my greencheek :gcc: . She is so tiny, that a sunflower seed every time would fill her up, and not be too healthy.
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Re: Clicker: treat each time or not?

Postby Wolf » Sun Nov 06, 2016 7:18 pm

I suspect that the reason that you can't find a definitive answer to this question is due firstly to the many different types of training that are currently in use and the ideas of the person doing the training and secondly is due to the different personalities of the parrots themselves. As an example of this, I have a Senegal who works very well for treats and I have a Grey parrot that refuses to work for treats although she will work for head scratches and praise.

If you use clicker training then every time that you use the clicker then give the bird the treat. Later on you can have the bird do two or even three tricks before you click the clicker and give the treat, but since the bird expects to be rewarded with the treat when it hears the click then give it the treat.
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Re: Clicker: treat each time or not?

Postby liz » Sun Nov 06, 2016 8:22 pm

Mine have learned like little kids. They know most of what I say and do most of what I ask. They can also say "no". I have never used treats. They like to be told they are good birds.
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Re: Clicker: treat each time or not?

Postby myster_pda » Fri Nov 11, 2016 9:12 am

Thank you, Michael. Thought so too.

Someone said their bird is small. I have a parrotlet. He is 31 grams. Tell me about it :)
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Re: Clicker: treat each time or not?

Postby Wolf » Fri Nov 11, 2016 9:21 am

I have two parrotlets and two budgies. Millet works pretty well as a treat for either of these two species, but my parrotlets also love almonds so breaking slivered almonds into even smaller pieces works well for them, but not for the budgies.
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