Alexandrine Questions

[Khaiqha]

Hey guys, my Alex is about to be 6 months old and is already getting some pink on his cheek for his ring. I've always heard that it doesn't appear until they're three. Should I be worried that his ring is coming in so soon?

Also, my second question is if anyone has successfully harness trained an Alex. I've been trying to target the harness onto my Alex but with limited success.

Mine used to enjoy petting at the store, but being grabbed and put in a box for the ride home has spooked him ever since. Now he allows petting with the hands everywhere except his head (though i'm allowed to pet his head with my nose).

I realize that as a species Alexes aren't cuddly, but neither are IRNs and mine likes head scratches and allows a harness on her. I'm thinking I have to get him over his fear of things above his head first, so I've been targeting him to go under my hand, which he is terrified to do but will if he's really in the mood to train. Does anyone have a suggestion on what to do different? He's not scared of the harness, he's just scared of something going over his head (he's fine with it touching his wings/feet/tail).

[lads1275]

Hello

I'm new to forums

We have a harness for our Alex which he likes to chew while wearing. He is 13 years old we use it more as a safety when we go out. We have tried targetting and its a no go. His nickname in the park is "Dog Food" He does an end-over on the grass and puts his beak down submissively "Pick me up".

So I don't know about it being possible but maybe not get the hopes up. As for not being cuddly, I have heard that before but Mine is like a kitten. crawls under the covers, nuzzles, licks and tugs ears.

We will take him out, but he is just pleased enough to sit and s*it on my shoulder.

If you learn any insight on Alex's please let me know.

[Khaiqha]

Thank you for responding!

Yeah, I'm not too worried about my alex being not cuddly, he's very interactive otherwise and he does like to snuggle with blankets and what not. How is it that you get a harness on your alex without targeting him into it? Do you just force it on him?

[lads1275]

Maybe I don't know what targeting means.. I thought it was having him fly at a "target". I should learn the bird language. Getting him in the harness isn't that big a deal. As I said he is very cuddly and trusting. The harness is not his favorite thing and he does protest a bit. It is harder to get him out of it than in it because of feather direction.

need a video?

[marie83]

hiya, never use force to put a harness on but I don't think target training is needed anyway if he isn't scared of the harness itself.

I think first thing you need to do is to is to get your alex more used to being touched. Reward him for every single successful attempt and gradually increase the time you are touching him. Same with his head, put your hand over at a distance he wont freak out at, reward and gradually lower your hand until your scraping the top of his head when moving your hand over. Only when he is 100% comfortable with being touched should you resume the harness training.

[Khaiqha]

A video would be great.