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Recalls fine but bites for step up.

Discuss topics associated with teaching birds to fly. Training parrots recall flight, target flying, and other flying exercises.

Recalls fine but bites for step up.

Postby Michael » Mon Oct 05, 2009 5:11 pm

How come Kili recall flies to Kathleen no problem but then bites when she tries to ask her to step up?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVpDqmlJEys

It's like if I put Kili on Kat's arm or she recalls from me, never bite. If Kathleen tries to get her to step up... often bites? And I'm not just talking about cage territoriality either.
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Michael
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Re: Recalls fine but bites for step up.

Postby Kathleen » Mon Oct 05, 2009 5:22 pm

"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." :?
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Re: Recalls fine but bites for step up.

Postby Mona » Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:31 am

I also like Kathleen's reply.

Honestly, the more I use recalls to manage my birds, the less success I have with step ups.

I think we are talking about the powerful magic of "positive reinforcement". Senegals tend to be better behaved when the behavior is perceived as "their own choice".

Babylon is my best flyer. Many, many times a day I recall her out of trouble. If she is in trouble (looking to chew something up that I don't want her to chew) and I try to step her up, she will often nip me but if I call her and she flies to me, she will be very sweet and gentle.

When I had a biting problem with Jack (because I had to medicate him by towelling him, which flooded him and he became an unpredictable biter) I quit stepping him up and instead, started luring him in and out of his cage. I don't have a biting problem with him any more and he is a very entertaining and fun little boy!

Thanks!
Mona in Seattle
Phinneous Fowl (aka Phinney) TAG
Babylon Sengal
Doug (spousal unit)
Jack and Bailey (Gremlins)
Kiri (CAG)
http://www.flyingparrotsinside.com

youtube: Avian Flyers
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Mona
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Re: Recalls fine but bites for step up.

Postby Kathleen » Wed Oct 07, 2009 10:15 pm

I feel like if I am targeting her out of her cage, or from somewhere, that there only should be one direction for her to go to target onto my hand. Her perches have been set up lately where she can bite me from a number of different angles... so that's just made it more difficult. If I was the only way for her to come out and get attention, she'd have to get over it. But this isn't the case. This, to me, is no good. If there is only one way for her to get her treat, she'll either come and target to get the treat willingly, walk away, or won't bother moving. If she is able to reach my hand to bite it from a few different perches while she's in her cage, she'll just bite it instead... almost like it's too invasive.
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Re: Recalls fine but bites for step up.

Postby Michael » Wed Oct 07, 2009 10:23 pm

Excuses, excuses... :senegal:
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Michael
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Gender: This parrot forum member is male
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Re: Recalls fine but bites for step up.

Postby Mona » Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:03 pm

Hi Kathleen:

You are targeting her out of the cage, right? Once she is out of the cage, then you ask her to step up? I'm just trying to clarify your post....

Thx!
Mona in Seattle
Phinneous Fowl (aka Phinney) TAG
Babylon Sengal
Doug (spousal unit)
Jack and Bailey (Gremlins)
Kiri (CAG)
http://www.flyingparrotsinside.com

youtube: Avian Flyers
User avatar
Mona
Poicephalus
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 271
Number of Birds Owned: 5
Types of Birds Owned: Senegal Parrots, Congo African Grey, Timneh African Grey
Flight: Yes

Re: Recalls fine but bites for step up.

Postby Kathleen » Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:27 pm

I usually targeted her onto my hand to come out of the cage. It basically was step up but I tried to distract her and make it into a "trick" so she'd think she'd get a treat for it.
Kathleen
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Gender: This parrot forum member is female
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Re: Recalls fine but bites for step up.

Postby Mona » Sun Oct 11, 2009 4:23 pm

Honestly, I rarely reach in and ask any of my senegals to come out on my hand. (maybe Babylon on a good day) Greys....I do but Senegals I do not.

Usually, I do one of two things: 1) I open the door and let them come out on their own. They usually go right on the top of the cage door and from there, I ask them to step up or 2) I ask them to step up on a ladder first.

All three of my Senegals charge me when I walk by their cages. Babylon absolutely adores me but she will still charge. That makes me think there is just something innate that sets them up to defend the cage - and the food cups. It's easier to reinforce good behavior once they are out of the cage. On top of the cage - fine. On top of the door - fine...In the cage, well, IMHO, that's pretty brave to reach in to be honest. :senegal:

Just an idea.

Thanks!

Mona
Mona in Seattle
Phinneous Fowl (aka Phinney) TAG
Babylon Sengal
Doug (spousal unit)
Jack and Bailey (Gremlins)
Kiri (CAG)
http://www.flyingparrotsinside.com

youtube: Avian Flyers
User avatar
Mona
Poicephalus
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 271
Number of Birds Owned: 5
Types of Birds Owned: Senegal Parrots, Congo African Grey, Timneh African Grey
Flight: Yes

Re: Recalls fine but bites for step up.

Postby Michael » Sun Oct 11, 2009 4:59 pm

You have to remind Senegals who's boss or they will take every opportunity to walk all over you. I think they get territorial and defensive and it is important to stand ground to them. Senegals are unbelievably aggressive and dominant for that little size!
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Michael
Macaw
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is male
Posts: 6286
Location: New York
Number of Birds Owned: 3
Types of Birds Owned: Senegal Parrot, Cape Parrot, Green-Winged Macaw
Flight: Yes

Re: Recalls fine but bites for step up.

Postby Kathleen » Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:57 pm

That's why they're so successful for being so bulky! :senegal:
Kathleen
Amazon
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 621
Number of Birds Owned: 2
Flight: Yes

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