Target Training Problems

[Zazu]

Hi,

I recently got a Green Cheek Conure (about 1 month ago). He has been absolutely great, in that he learned step up extremely fast, has been cutting down the nibbles (that Green Cheek are so famous for giving), and been very loving. He very obviously likes me and my boyfriend, and wants to be around us all the time.

I began clicker training about a week ago, and he picked it up very quickly. Once he showed that he understood the clicker training, I started working on him with target training. I believe I am doing it correctly... have read and reread all the articles about a hundred times. The problem is my bird is frightened by the target stick. He doesn't show much fear in other things... sometimes funny noises and sudden movements but I think that's pretty normal. The target stick, though, whenever put even near him causes him to run to the other side of the training perch I have for him, and then back and forth and back and forth. He does whatever he can to try to avoid the chopstick! Once in the first few tries, he was standing near the edge of the perch and when I held the target stick up, he nearly fell off the perch trying to get away from it.

I would really appreciate any suggestions on how to help Zazu no longer fear this target stick... afterall how can I train him if he is afraid of the devices used! Haha...

Just as an added note, I am starting to wonder if I moved his progress along too fast and maybe that is what caused this. He seems to have a very good drive for learning, as he showed with step up and the clicker. Actually, I started working on him with wave before target training (before I found all the articles from Michael on target training) and he even picked that up very quickly, within 5-10 minutes he was already waving (just needed more work on the vocal command). Of course, I stopped working on this when I found out that I was doing it in the wrong order so it hasn't progress any, but it was just an example to show his obvious capability. If he seems to understand the clicker and step up, could this still have been too quick?

Thanks for much for any help!

[dohcsvt]

My GCC picked up target training quickly as did my sun. They both showed a curiosity for the stick and I had to pull it away and give them treats before they chewed on it. From what I understand the stick is supposed to invoke curiosity in the little guy. The only thing I can think of, is since he already knows he gets treats on the training perch would be to do this. Place him at one end of the perch and the chopstick held at the other, show him a treat between him and the stick and wait for him to come get the treat. You could then progress holding the reward closer and closer to the target stick until it just clicks with him. I had problems with my sun conure not even wanting to stay on the stand and get treats even though he was hungry, it just took a few days of perserverence and he got it. I think with a few training sessions of trying to lure him towards the target stick will work well. Keep us posted.
Ottis

[parrot_junkie]

I actually ran into similar problems with my ringneck. I chose to take things really slow right away when I saw he was afraid of the stick, tried to have the stick in the room first where he just could see it, then sitting next to the cage with the stick in my hand, I would basically try to get closer and closer with it and I rewarded with a treat whenever I could see no fear responses. This might take longer, but I think people should still consider having training materials like a dowel or chopstick they are planning to use early in the picture, I mean when starting the basic training it might be good to at least let them see these things have them in the room and let them see you holding them next to the cage a few times before you start pointing it in their direction.

[Zazu]

Thanks so much!

I can't tell you how much this already made a difference. After I read you post, I went and tried simply putting the chopstick at the other end of the perch(not near him), and already it was a huge difference. He become curious instead of scared, went over and touched it. 3 training sessions later, he is running over to the stick and touching it with great excitement! He's already got it down. Thank you so much! I can't believe I didn't think about how putting the stick close to him (which I thought would help, because he could just reach instead of go to it) was actually scaring him! So simple, I can't believe I missed it.

Regardless, I really appreciate your responses! Zazu is right on track

[GlassOnion]

Good to hear of your progress!