Hi Guys,
I just came across your site and found it very interesting.
I am new to parrots training and hope I can use your experience.
My cockatiel learned pretty fast (1-2 session to understand and additional 2 to rehearse and do with only voice or manual sign) the targeting and the turn tricks.
When I tried the fetch according to Michael's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoBZ2IGrCbs tutorial I ran into the following difficulty: My cockatiel picks-up the object and drops it but does not seem to understand that he should drop it into the box. I am only rewarding him for the successful attempt and for five sessions the status is pretty much the same. I tried also demonstrating to him what to do (my daughters enjoy the training and are assisting - so they performed the action and I praised them) and I tried to direct him to the box, etc. However, he pretty much picks and drops it wherever he wants.
In Michael's vid there seem to be a point where the parrot make this connection (and is not showed there how) and I was wondering how to make him see the connection. Simply continue what I do or do you have other tips? Maybe this is too difficult trick for this stage?
He seems to be motivated and alert during the training since he performs his turn and target easily.
Sorry for the long description and thanks for any assistance