How to keep it fun for the bird?

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I'm interested in doing some trick training with Scooter because I think it will add to our relationship, but so far his attitude seems to me to be more like, "Oh well, I suppose I'll do that for a bit of apple, but I'd really rather be doing something FUN!". Since Scooter is a pet and I've no problem training needed behaviors the main point in doing this is for it to be fun for both of us and to enhance our interactions. I'm not keen on changing his feeding schedule to facilitate training when he's hungry and I am NOT a morning person, so trying to do it before work and his breakfast would not be fun for me.

One thing I have thought of, and taken steps to mitigate, is that the little stand I have has a built in abrasive perch. I've obtained a wooden one that I can get to fit, and hopefully if dislike of the training surface is part of the picture, that will help.

I haven't attempted anything complicated, just "turn around", "wave", "shake" and I'm following suggestions from "Parrot Tricks" to some extent. I wonder if some other behavior would be inherently more fun for him to work with.

[budgiebuddy]

Maybe if you haven't already tried this. Instead of giving him just apples. mix it around so that he never knows wicth one he will get so he won't just be expecting to get apple. If you mix in other fruits then he will never know what he will get so it will keep him interested cause he wants to find out what he will get. It is just a sugestion but it worked with my 'keet.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

That's an interesting thought.

[budgiebuddy]

It might sound strange, but it works. Sometimes a bird can get bored with the same thing all the time, so if he has no clue what he will get then he will want to find out. That will keep him interested. I did this when y budgie keep running away during training. He stays with me now. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!

[bmsweb]

I might have to give that a go with my birds . . interesting tip

[BirdbrainJan]

Let us know how it goes! I was curious about that too...the best way to teach tricks, keep it interesting, and not have the bird mind repeating the tricks.

[TheNzJessie]

thats a good idea budgie buddy!

[Athena&beepbeep'smom]

Athena and I are working on trick training out of the same book. I have been using the flight suit as an incentive. During training is the only time she's allowed out of the cage for a significant amount of time without the suit. Also I use treats she's not allowed to have in her daily diet. She's not allowed to have seeds or nuts very often because of the pionus tendency toward gout so that's what I use for treats. Also we move one when she's bored with something and then go back to it later.

[BirdbrainJan]

I've been using millet seed, as well as slivered almonds pinched into tiny pieces, and dried cranberries in little pieces for Franklin's training treats. His favourites are the cranberries, and so I've found that if I mix it up, and he doesn't know which of the three he's going to get, he's a lot more willing to just keep going with the training, to try to get as many cranberry bits as possible! Maybe something like that would give Scooter some more motivation

Franklin's also not on a training diet really...he just has his portion of pellets for the day, and any fresh veggies I have on-hand, but he doesn't get any almonds, millet, or cranberries as part of his regular diet.