He can touch the target infront of him, but not a distance!!

[Acka]

I have a 18 month old cokatiel that I am target training at the moment. I need help because he will only touch it from a short distance, anyone know why. ?

[marie83]

All birds learn differently, I would go with gradually increasing the distance, maybe by as little as an inch at a time. When you get to a distance where your bird won't target go back a stage (or more if needed) for a while, then try again.

[Michael]

I have a 18 month old cokatiel that I am target training at the moment. I need help because he will only touch it from a short distance, anyone know why. ?

Sometimes it's because owners don't challenge them to try and go further. Other times because owners are too impatient and expect them to learn it all at once. Could also be a lack of motivation.

[Acka]

Ok, so will he get used to travelling further distances for the target if i gradully move it further away from him, ?

[Polarn]

most likely, yes, certinly. you can start him off by just having to take one step, or reach out to the side (if he doesnt do this yet). as if he only touches the stick when you hold it right infront of him, you move it to the side so that he got to turn his head, then slightly further to the side or down so that he has to reach for it, then slighlty off so that he got to take 1 step, then 2 steps once you reach 3 or 4 steps i'd say he probably got the hang of it, then you can start doing it across the perch, then across the perch and have him climb onto the cagebars or something.

Just take it gradually, and if he doesnt turn his head to touch the stick, I'd say he is most likely not motivated by the treat enoguh to put a minor effort into getting it. in that case check that you use fresh millet (if your using millet) try buy a new batch, try something else tasty.

But if you motivate him enough, keep the training exciting and take it slow youll be amazed how quick it progresses once he gets the hang of it and starts moving for the stick, becouse once he moves across a perch and is willing to change perch or climb onto the cagebar etc, it's no longer a matter of incresing it step by step, but feet by feet or sometimes even yard by yard...

[Acka]

Thanks, it really helped, !