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Please help!!! Training sessions going all wrong

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Please help!!! Training sessions going all wrong

Postby Cockatielsongs » Sun Apr 28, 2013 9:00 am

Hi everyone!
Okay im not sure if this is the right place to post but anyways, I've been having a problem with Bandit my RB2 during training sessions. I guess it started when I tried to train him on a stand (As some of you may know before I posted something anout Bandit prefering to train on the floor then on a stand)
Anyways when I begin a training session he would start making this noise, I would say its screaming but its a sort of cross between a screeching and groaning? Noise and he would squat slightly with his wings slightly out and sway looking at me. The thing is he still does his spin trick, target and only SOMETIMES steps up. Except he is not fully focused, as in he does his spinning trick but not on cue anymore, he spins and spins pausing to look at me and doing that screeching noise. Its the noise he makes that really gets to me...

It started since I tried getting him to be comfortable training on a stand and within the last 2 or so weeks increased terribly. It makes every training almost unbearable and I cant teach him new tricks. He doesnt usually bite anymore but does sometimes when he is like this. He would only be quiet if I put him back in his cage and cover it for about five minutes and then I take him out and play with him. If I put him on the ground, or treat him or put him on a stand, anything to do with training he starts up again. Other then that he is sweet and lovely until training happens,

What am I suppose to do? I dont want to keep putting him back in his cage everytime or else he would associate his cage as a punishment and wont like being in it. Maybe i could get my sister to take a video while I try again if that would help.

Any advise would be very much appreciated. I have so many things I would love to teach Bandit which includes harness training so i can take him out but i cant do any training at the moment. Please help
Bandit - Rose Breasted Cockatoo
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Re: Please help!!! Training sessions going all wrong

Postby marie83 » Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:36 am

That behaviour sounds a bit bizzare bless him.

I don't really have much in the way of suggestions but have you tried starting from scratch?

Give him a few days break, then put him on the stand, treat, take him straight off. Then slowly start increasing the time he is on the stand. If he starts the screeching again go back a few stages etc.

Then make him do one trick, reward, take him back off and maybe walk round the room with him, put him back on, cue another trick, reward, take him into the next room or something. Then the next time put him back in his cage and bring him straight back out etc. Basicly so he never knows exactly what is coming next so he has to concentrate more but don't do anything that he may not like, we dont want any bad associations at all.

Hopefully soon after that you will be able to resume normal training sessions.
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Re: Please help!!! Training sessions going all wrong

Postby Cockatielsongs » Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:45 am

Hi thanks for the reply! Anyways I found out what it is he's doing exactly. Its something baby galahs do when they're hungry and begging for food. So now I've figure out what his doing (Phew it wasnt a behavioral problem) but new problem.
How do I respond to this? Should I feed him before I train him so he isnt hungry? Im sure he would still train, full or not he would go nuts for a treat. Thats all I can think of doing? Any suggestions on how to respond? It's natural behavior so Im not sure what to do... :?
Bandit - Rose Breasted Cockatoo
Cockatielsongs
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Gender: This parrot forum member is female
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Re: Please help!!! Training sessions going all wrong

Postby marie83 » Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:47 am

How old is bandit?
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Re: Please help!!! Training sessions going all wrong

Postby Cockatielsongs » Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:59 am

5 months old :)
Bandit - Rose Breasted Cockatoo
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Gender: This parrot forum member is female
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Re: Please help!!! Training sessions going all wrong

Postby marie83 » Mon Apr 29, 2013 6:11 am

I would hold off on the formal training sessions for a few more months tbh, I imagine the begging behaviour will continue during training for a while but will fade away. theres nothing stopping you reinforcing the perch as a good place to be though in a similar way mentioned, just keep it brief before the begging behaviour starts. You can also start preperation work to get him ready for harnessing by handling his wings etc and rewarding him in informal sessions as you go about your daily life though, again you can also introduce the harness in this way and work on other important skills such as introducing him to new items, sounds, people etc. Its pointless harness training him if he isn't 100% with new things occuring, once outside you don't know what you will come across.

Tricks and stuff can come later when he has better concentration, you have tons of time.
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Re: Please help!!! Training sessions going all wrong

Postby Cockatielsongs » Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:20 am

marie83 wrote:I would hold off on the formal training sessions for a few more months tbh, I imagine the begging behaviour will continue during training for a while but will fade away. theres nothing stopping you reinforcing the perch as a good place to be though in a similar way mentioned, just keep it brief before the begging behaviour starts. You can also start preperation work to get him ready for harnessing by handling his wings etc and rewarding him in informal sessions as you go about your daily life though, again you can also introduce the harness in this way and work on other important skills such as introducing him to new items, sounds, people etc. Its pointless harness training him if he isn't 100% with new things occuring, once outside you don't know what you will come across.

Tricks and stuff can come later when he has better concentration, you have tons of time.


Okay then! What age do you suppose I should begin proper training? I'm in no rush :) He is fine with me touching his wings and back and whatever. Yes, I'm starting to try and socialize him with new things people other then me :) Thanks for the reply! Definitely helped!! :D
Bandit - Rose Breasted Cockatoo
Cockatielsongs
Conure
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 228
Location: Melbourne Australia
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Re: Please help!!! Training sessions going all wrong

Postby marie83 » Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:10 am

I don't know, it will depend on the individual bird but also species. My green cheek had calmed down alot by 8 months (i mean had more concentration) bigger birds may take longer, just keep reviewing things as you go along, you will know. I would definitely leave it until the majority of the begging behaviour has passed though.
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Re: Please help!!! Training sessions going all wrong

Postby Cockatielsongs » Wed May 01, 2013 8:37 am

Okay then! Thanks for your help! One more question, when he does beg should I give him feed straight away? Or ignore the behaviour? :?
Bandit - Rose Breasted Cockatoo
Cockatielsongs
Conure
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 228
Location: Melbourne Australia
Number of Birds Owned: 1
Types of Birds Owned: Rose Breasted Cockatoo
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Re: Please help!!! Training sessions going all wrong

Postby Kynuna » Sat May 04, 2013 6:51 am

May I give a word of warning, I have seen it documented that Galah's (RB2) can become phobic if not well socialised with the world before 1. i think as said, maybe stop with the formal trick training for a while, and go back to basics, working on getting Bandit bomb proof.

I would personally not entertain the behavior, as he could stick with it and never grow out of it. at 5 months he should be fully weaned and not really begging to be fed any more.
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