Lots Of Harness Questions

[TerribleTim]

So I have a huge pile of questions about harness training. The first is:

Where do you get a harness? My local PetSmart/Petco doesn't carry stuff like that. It's a dog/cat world out there.

Next:
What brand harness do you guys prefer? Is there one that seems to work better for the bird or are they all kind of the same?

Next:
Iago doesn't like anyone touching his wings. He kind of freaks out if you touch his wings or his tail. My guess is that he had some bad clipping experiences before I got him. He was clipped when I got him, but I let him grow out because I kind of enjoy when he flies and it was easier than repeated trips to get him clipped again. But it seems like I would need to handle his wings to get the straps around him and his wings in the harness. True?

Last:
Have you guys had your bird on a harness/leash and had him take off on you only to reach the end of the leash while outside? Was it an issue? Did he hit the ground pretty solid? I'm a bit concerned about him taking off and ending up smacking the ground and getting hurt.

Ultimately I'd love to be able to take him to the park, that is the goal. I'm just very worried about getting to that point and him getting hurt on the leash.

[TerribleTim]

Oh, also:
Nanday Conure, what size harness?

[marie83]

I don't have much experience with harnesses but the aviator is a highly recommended brand (check out the parrot university website, they ship to loads of places and is generally cheaper than buying from stores). They are more pricey but they appear to be the most secure harness there is.

There is a size guide on their website.

Yes your bird needs to accept the wings being handled without a fuss before harness training, whatever make you get.

The aviator harness has an attatched leash, it is elasticated with means the bird wont get to the end and suddenly stop dead and plummet, it allows the bird to slow down and control it's landing. I don't know of any other harness that has that feature.

Hope this helps.

[Kacey]

The aviator harness is the best in my opinion. It has no metal hooks, it's easy enough to put on and comes with a DVD about training your bird to wear it. It has an elastic type leash so it won't hurt the bird if he reaches the end. I got mine on Ebay.

[Wayne361]

Read Micheals blog on harness training....video is there too. I am currently going through the training excersizes (desensitizing) with my Lots of great info on his blog for taming, training, etc.

[livingwaters]

Hi Tim,
To answer your questions:

1. I bought my harness through http://theparrotuniversity.com/aviator_harness.php.
I obviously preferred that one, it seemed to me the most complete, thought out and easy yet safe harness out there.

2. As for touching wings/tail your parrot will definitely need to be trained to accept you touching him all over his body in order to put the harness on.
With my CAG I started out unaware of what I'm doing but nowadays I know I was doing just the right thing. While you are petting/cuddling your bird gently but quickly touch the wings and then return to the petting/cuddling he is comfortable with. Over time he will learn to trust you and be more comfortable with those gestures and you can take more time petting him on the wings or "bothering him" in ways that you would be during harness training.
Don't expect to get results in the first day, allow the parrot time to trust you and bond with you.

3. I have had the exact experience you are describing, my CAG got frightened of a passing car and tried to fly, reaching the end of the line. As previously mentioned, the aviator harness comes with an elastic cord that is flexible enough to bounce the bird. She was not hurt nor seriously frightened when the leash stopped her. Plus, she almost landed on a thorny patch but thanks to the leash I was able to grab her and break her fall which may have ended in a disaster...

To conclude, I don't think the leash would hurt your parrot but you do have to take it slow and make sure your parrot is absolutely comfortable with the leash before you take him outside.

Good luck

[GreenWing]

Hi there,

I bought my harness at the local bird specialty shop. Like others who have posted, the harness is made by http://www.theparrotuniversity.com, brand being "The Aviator"; you can buy it at their website. It's also on Amazon.com, too.

Before I took my bird home, they would periodically put the harness on my bird, to help her get used to it.

If you use the harness, first practice using it indoors where Iago will be safer. Let him gradually get used to it... he may hate it at first, though. Even when you take him outside, make sure he isn't near anything that could harm him (e.g., thorny bushes/shrubs).

Some birds aren't comfortable with their tail and wings being touched... these are "personal" zones for some birds. As others have said, develop a trusting relationship with Iago... respect his boundaries when he doesn't like something, and try again later after making "friendly" parrot-gestures (eye-blinking and tongue wagging).

[Eurycerus]

"friendly" parrot-gestures (eye-blinking and tongue wagging).

What gestures are these? Is the eye blinking, the cute relaxed, slow blinks that seem to be headed into a nap? Is the tongue wagging when they appear to be playing with their tongue?