Harness Training :/

[RoseBandit]

Not really free flight but...

So, I've been trying to work on getting Bandit to wear the harness but not really getting anywhere... he's definitely not afraid of it but just dislikes having it on him. I tried putting it around his neck first, once its around his neck, he will start attacking it. I treat him, he'll accept it then attack it viciously again. I treat him then try removing it but he finishes his treat and attacks it again including my fingers. The only way to get it on or off him would be if he is eating a plate of food... what do I do? Its been about 3 days, I'm in no rush really but I would love to see progress... :confused:

[keepsmiling]

My Holly was used to hers as a baby, but then I quit when the weather turned bad. When it became nice again and I tried, she ran from the sight of it. She refuses to go anywhere near it, so I don't even try. I wish she would. I think if my bird was attacking it, it shows a serious dislike...obviously. Not sure I would pressure him to do something he hated so much. Have you watched the aviator video? In it, they show the birds getting desensitized to the harnesses by the person hanging them like toys, and leaving them in plain sight. You might try just wearing it around your neck, touching it and running it through your hands where he can watch. Making a big deal out of it as though it is wonderful. It might make him feel less intimidated by it.Good luck.

[RoseBandit]

Thanks Carole! I hope this will work since Bandit wants everything I'm "playing" with. So far I'm hanging it near his cage where he can see it.

[Narkissios]

Ive been doing this with my b and g, however she is clicker trained, is bandit clicker trained?

If she is try using pointer training with the harness, so put it next to bandit and make bandit stand on it and touch it with his beak without attacking it then reward.

Failing that if not, what i did with midnight was make up a full pot of powder cashews, (she loves cashews) but dusted. I put her on the back of a chair and let her have a taste without clicking, then i would just put the harness on then get her head in the pot and click, not while she is attacking the harness. Then i would take it off and click and jam her head in the pot with lots of positive good girl and head pats rubs.

Now, keepsmiling, ive been where you are as well, hehe not long ago either, i had a bad time putting the harness on one day and she rejected it...badly. However i used to put my hand thought the head hole, and have the pot of cashew dust in front of it, then chase her till she stopped flying around the room, while letting her know if she attacks the harness its going to hurt me and thats ouchies, so what would often happen is she would fly round a couple of times then stop and flare up a bit till she saw treats, them she would have a treat and i would click, she cottoned on that it was ok. This was the first stage before the one listed above.

Sorry for the backwards information. But i hope you understand it.

Cheers

Peter

[RoseBandit]

Thanks for the reply! I'll try this too! And yes Bandit is clicker and target trained :)

[Mare]

Our Sassy will have nothing to do with the harness, no way! Every time we try, she's like, "You can take this thing and stick it where the sun don't shine!". Amigo, on the other hand, lets me wrap him up in it. I can take it and put it under, around and over his body, through his wings, no problem. Go figure.