Which tricks next?

[cml]

I feel like Ive gotten stuck in my tracks, and do a routine where Im not teaching the birds new tricks, but have instead work on other stuff. I think its time to up the game and start challenging them again.

Stitch knows:
Wave
Turn around
Wings
Fetch (with a plastic coin)
Shake
Dance (head bobbing up and down)
Target
Tunnel
Fly to a location I point at
Recall (even if I dont really count that as a trick)

He used to know Flip, but its really hard to practice in the bird room so he forgot it, he also destroyed a deck of cards ^^.

I might be forgetting some trick, but I think thats about it. Ive been thinking on either expanding on fetch, maybe stacking a few plastic rings onto a collecting piece, its a bird toy my wife bought a while back which has potential for trick training I think. I'm not sure though, and a suggestion here would be great!
I dont want to do Bat, or Play dead, as we are working on grabbing still (can lift him up and carry him between places now )

With Leroy I'm currently working on Fetch, which he used to know, but then decided to hate and instead attack the prop and bowl ^^. Its going great though, with a great training session earlier today.

He has a rather more limited repertoire than Stitch, and knows:
Wave
Turn around
Target
Dance (head bobbing up and down)

What should come after Fetch for Leroy? Same as with Stitch, no Bat or Play dead. Leroy I still cant lift up , no matter if I practice with him daily. He accepts a hand over his back, I can even sometimes grab him, but as soon as he gets a wind of what I intend, he flies off. We've been at a stand still for what feels like ages (many months anyway).

[Wayne361]

There are so many variations of "fetch" that you can incorporate into new tricks. I got oscar fetching from perches, floors, tables etc. Then type of fetch, meaning to me, another perch, basket-ball net etc. Work with new scenarios/objects and this should keep the learning process going and things wont get boring.
Another thing is have you started "chaining" tricks together to create a whole series of tricks into one "performance"? This itself will open up a whole new chapter in trick training and should never get stuck on training again.

Hope this helps,

Wayne

[cml]

Thanks wayne!

Stitch already knows fetch from different locations etc, I can give him the coin anywhere, then put the shot glass anywhere and he will put the coin there 100% of the time.

I decided to work on a variant on fetch, "Go shopping" I got a few props like a bucket of ice cream, a shopping basket and a few veggies (but he destroyed most of it playing when he was a baby). Will keep you all updated with our progress.

Leroy is doing great with Fetch , progress report soon!

[Michael]

Basketball, Bowling, and Darts! Buy all 3 from me and I'll throw in the Treasure Chest for free!