What do you use for a treat?

[jayebird]

Mango (GCC) is already a pro at target training and coming to step up when he's called (he's not flighted so he'll run and climb over whatever he needs to in order to get to your hand) and we've done this in less than a week using the clicker training method and as a treat: millet seed.

The problem?
Millet seed is so messy!!

He absolutely loves it and training is the only way he gets any, however, he takes huge bites off the spray (even if I pull it away fast) and then it can take him up to a minute to finish his bite -- and when he's done with that bite, he's got plenty of crumbs to pick through (as we usually train on the coffee table.)

So I think we need a different treat for training. He doesn't seem to care too much for peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds or safflower seeds (any of those he could take or leave).

What do you guys use for treats? Any suggestions? And how can I figure out the ones he'll go crazy for so I can use them as enticement?

[Alcatraz]

I ran into the same problem you did. I pick the seeds off individually and hand feed now. It cuts down on mess and you don't have to wait as long for the bird to finish between each training exercise.

[Giantmoa]

I give fruit as a treat. banana is easiest cuz she can take a bite with grabbing the whole slice... I also use corn, apple and seeds, but she is so food motivated that I can use healthy stuff like veggies for a reward. good luck with trick training gcc are smart little guys

[Michael]

The problem?
Millet seed is so messy!!

Use a handheld vac to clean up quickly after each bite. Why change the treat if that's what the bird already likes?

[Kathleen]

You can do some training on training perches:

http://www.amazon.com/Parrotopia-Traini ... B00127N0ZW
http://www.naturechest.com/bitrpe.html
http://www.arcatapet.com/item.cfm?cat=9863
http://www.naturechest.com/costpe.html
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... &lmdn=Bird
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... &lmdn=Bird

Obviously a training perch isn't suitable for training certain tricks, but for many tricks, this could be used.

[Michael]

While we're at it, why not mention the one any only authentic Parrot Training Perches (TM). So if you want to go all out you go with these high quality stands and just clean up the mess later.

Believe me, no matter what treat you use, most of them tend to make a mess (like fruit, seeds, etc). The only treat that I can feed mess free are very small bite sized pieces of nuts. They pretty much just swallow them whole. But when they chew up a seed, they'll break the shell into several pieces so the same dilemma persists.

[jayebird]

We bought a handvac the second day we had him home We realized instantly that that was a necessity! One of those should be on the prep list for every perspective parrot owner and in every parrot pet guide out there...

We've now moved to stripping the millet seed from the spray and feeding him a couple of seeds by hands - helps a lot. We also ordered online today some Roudybush, so we'll switch from his store-fed seed/Zupreem (colorful pellets) diet to straight up 100% Roudybush -- which I think will help us with treats. Everything that isn't a pellet will become a treat! A training stand will have to happen in the near future, too, since not everything can be trained on the coffee table

[TheNzJessie]

i dont think my treats are much help lol, my budgie i use millet and my lorikeet is a nectar eater, he eats no seed at all so i use honey and raisins for him, but hes not food motovated so most of the time he doesn;t eat the raisin he just wants the attention so i headscratch is a lot more rewarding than food for him.

[bmsweb]

I use hulled sunflower seeds for training and I break each one up into 3 small pieces. Mind you I still have to use the Vac, but much less mess than millet

[Azure Hanyo]

Note to self...get hand-held vacuum...