Squawking while Target Training on the same perch

[Parakeet]

I have two parakeets and I think they're now able to connect the click from the clicker with a treat. I am target training on the same perch with a unused chopstick. So while I was target training the parakeets (I put the target stick above, in front, left and right of them) but, while I kept saying "target", the budgie closer to the stick just sat there while the one further away started "squawking" (Chirped, gurgled, and squawked). I waiting for 15 seconds, and the one closer didn't touch the target, so I moved the target elsewhere (the bird kept squawking). Then I placed the target stick closer to the louder bird quickly touched the target and I clicked and treated it. As soon as I did, it began quiet and nibbled the snack. I was just wondering, why did that bird chirp, squawk and gurgle?



Another question I have is that if one of the parakeets touched the stick, should i treat both, or just that one?

[Kim S]

I think these questions is exactly the reason why you should train both birds seperately. I think that will speed up the learning prossess a lot! This way it is just very confusing to both birds. He follows yor command but doenst get a click. You click but he doesnt get a treat.
I think you should split the trainingsessions up.

[Parakeet]

How should I do this? Put them in separate cages? I heard this can cause great stress to the birds

[YungAndintrigued]

You don't have to place them in seprate cages. just simply train them in diffrent areas at diffrent times.

[Parakeet]

Wouldn`t that mean taking them out of the cage? They're deathly scared when they come out of their cage

[Kim S]

Aha, thats the problem, now I get it

No, dont seperate the birds in different cages. Youre right, that would cause more stress than good.

Tjis is off the top of my head here, dont know if it will work. Do they have names and do they know them already? maybe you can start saying the name of the budgie you are training befor ethe command. Like: "Blue, touch." Then if Blue touches, you click and reward. But if Yellow touches, do nothing, he wasnt asked to do anything.

I would start step-up training. That way you will be able to take them out of the cage without problems.

[Parakeet]

Oh yes! They have names, but I'm not quite sure if they are used to it. And they know the step up trick already, but one of them just steps up and almost immediately flies away .

I'll definitely try to get them used to their names

[Kim S]

You can teach him to stay longer on your hand with the clicker. Normaly you would click when he steps up and then reward him. After which he flies away I think?
Wait a bit longer with the click. Make it 2 seconds, then 5, then 10.

[Parakeet]

What if they fly off before the time is up? Should I not click?

[Kim S]

No you dont, If you click when they fly off you will just reward them for flying away. And that was not really the intention, was it?