Taming my lovebird (touching phase)

[roseicollis6]

Hi, my question is for Michael, or anyone using his methods (on his blog) to tame a parrot.

I succeeded in having my lovebird come to me when targetting him, he is less scared from my hand. I have a problem however with the second step, touching him. I tried to touch and then reward with him many times but I think he doesn't understand that when I put my hand close to him, or touch him he will have a reward. He tries to bite at first but then fly off. How can I proceed? Any help? Is there another method to get him used to touching him ?

Waiting for your response Michael, thanks in advance.

[Michael]

http://trainedparrot.com/taming/#handling

[roseicollis6]

I am trying to do exactly this. But when I get closer, my lovebird accepts to be touched one time but fly away another time. Its like he doesn't get that letting me touch his beak will get him his reward.

[Michael]

Then do it from further away. Move your hand to 6 inches from beak/head, reward (I don't suggest using clicker). Then go to 5 inches, reward. Then try 4, say the bird flies away... next time go back to 5. This is how you work your way closer. If the bird is good at training this works pretty quickly. Then you get to a quick touch and then reward. Then you work on longer duration touches. Then work on greater coverage touches, etc. Lastly work on phasing out treats for touching and make it rewarding in itself.

[roseicollis6]

Thank you Michael! I dont use a clicker but why u dont suggest it? It is written in your blog that it is a good way for training.