Target Training for Macaws

[MacawMomma]

Another rookie question here-

Last week at Katie's vet appointment, the Dr recommended I start her on Target training. I've read and seen enough videos on how to do it but what I'm concerned about is if I'm moving too fast with her.

Should I only be concentrating on socialization for the moment?

I understand the uses of target training her, I just didn't get to ask more about the time frame.

Thank you all!!


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[Casper's 2nd best friend]

We're happy if Casper's poop hits the newspaper, a bullseye is not essential :)

[PlaxMacaws]

Your question, whether 'now' is the best time to introduce Katie to target training, may render various responses from various folks. In my opinion, as long as you're not experiencing major behavioral problems with her, holding off until later shouldn't be an issue.

As you know, target training is a matter of commanding an animal's behaviors by inciting its anticipation of rewards. It can indeed be very effective conditioning. On the chance that your question is not as much when to begin target training exercises with Katie, but instead it's more a question of whether or not to do so at all, I'll just say that it really comes down to a matter of your personal preferences, i.e., what you want/expect from your bird.

While I admire the results of target training in some cases, I personally view it as creating more of a robotic pet than a free spirit. Therefore, I have not used it to condition my own birds. So that's my response to the question of 'whether' to employ it. As for 'when' to do so... again, if there are no problem behaviors requiring immediate intervention, I don't think waiting should be an issue.

[Quakerella]

I agree with Tony, if there are no behaviour issues I don't think any harm will be caused, but I wouldn't push her too hard or expect too much right now. She seems to be on the right track with adjusting to her new family.

It is not one of my priorities with my birds. Trust always comes first.

I swear my quakers have a competition to see who can get it the farthest.

[Dragonlady2]

I have never used target training. A nutriberry does wonders if I want them back in their cage and that's pretty much all I require from them. My Barrabands will go back on command without a treat.
It probably depends on what behaviour you want from Katie, as to whether you begin target training.

[kendrafitz]

I have done some target training with Rosie. Mostly when she seems bored. I don't have a clicker, I just make what I think sounds like a click using my mouth. Rosie liked it, but we really just did the get the toy and then I would give her a piece of cashew and kisses.

My main issue and the reason I don't do it very often is the dogs caught on. As soon as the here the click noise they come running and sit near me on the floor while Rosie is on her recliner. So once Rosie performed as "task" I would have to give Rosie and both dogs cashew pieces.

[MacawMomma]

Your question, whether 'now' is the best time to introduce Katie to target training, may render various responses from various folks. In my opinion, as long as you're not experiencing major behavioral problems with her, holding off until later shouldn't be an issue.

As you know, target training is a matter of commanding an animal's behaviors by inciting its anticipation of rewards. It can indeed be very effective conditioning. On the chance that your question is not as much when to begin target training exercises with Katie, but instead it's more a question of whether or not to do so at all, I'll just say that it really comes down to a matter of your personal preferences, i.e., what you want/expect from your bird.

While I admire the results of target training in some cases, I personally view it as creating more of a robotic pet than a free spirit. Therefore, I have not used it to condition my own birds. So that's my response to the question of 'whether' to employ it. As for 'when' to do so... again, if there are no problem behaviors requiring immediate intervention, I don't think waiting should be an issue.

Thank you so much for your insight Tony!

I have similar views about Target Training, I don't want a show parrot. I'd rather just have a well adjusted happy bird!

I'm going to call the vet and as specific reasons about why he is recommending it. I know he mentioned free flying so it might be related to that. I can see how that would be a useful.


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[MacawMomma]

I agree with Tony, if there are no behaviour issues I don't think any harm will be caused, but I wouldn't push her too hard or expect too much right now. She seems to be on the right track with adjusting to her new family.

It is not one of my priorities with my birds. Trust always comes first.

I swear my quakers have a competition to see who can get it the farthest.

Agree 100%- her trust is my priority

Your quakers are smart- they sound like big loves


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[MacawMomma]

I have never used target training. A nutriberry does wonders if I want them back in their cage and that's pretty much all I require from them. My Barrabands will go back on command without a treat.
It probably depends on what behaviour you want from Katie, as to whether you begin target training.

The vet was recommending it for more specific commands I believe. My Katie is really good with her commands. [emoji106]


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[MacawMomma]

I have done some target training with Rosie. Mostly when she seems bored. I don't have a clicker, I just make what I think sounds like a click using my mouth. Rosie liked it, but we really just did the get the toy and then I would give her a piece of cashew and kisses.

My main issue and the reason I don't do it very often is the dogs caught on. As soon as the here the click noise they come running and sit near me on the floor while Rosie is on her recliner. So once Rosie performed as "task" I would have to give Rosie and both dogs cashew pieces.

That is so cute!

One reason I think I would use it is to get the kids involved. I heard only to practice it a few minutes so she wouldn't get stressed.

What kind of things would Rosie do for her training?



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[kendrafitz]

That actually would be a great bonding experience for your kids and Katie. Fun and treats, what could be better?

I would get a stick like object or toy and show it to her. Then put it a few feet from her. Then I would ask her to get it and make the click noise. When she would get it I would tell her to let me have it and remove it before she destroyed it. ;)

Then she got lots of praise, kisses and pieces of cashews. Rosie is not food driven at all so she would generally drop the cashew. But she loved all of the over the top OOOOOs and AAAAAAs and kisses.

We never did anything that complicated. Some people will do target training with flying but Rosie is a horrible flyer.

As someone who only plays around here and there with target training, I think the key is to find out what drives Katie and reward her with that. Food, affection, etc.

We have also done it with a box and toys. I had her drop the toys in the box. I guess just any task you can have her perform and then reward her.

It's amazing how smart they are, I had no clue. I read somewhere macaws have the intelligence of an 8 year old but the emotional tolerance of a toddler. In my opinion that is right on. Smart, smart, smart!!


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[MacawMomma]

That actually would be a great bonding experience for your kids and Katie. Fun and treats, what could be better?

I would get a stick like object or toy and show it to her. Then put it a few feet from her. Then I would ask her to get it and make the click noise. When she would get it I would tell her to let me have it and remove it before she destroyed it. ;)

Then she got lots of praise, kisses and pieces of cashews. Rosie is not food driven at all so she would generally drop the cashew. But she loved all of the over the top OOOOOs and AAAAAAs and kisses.

We never did anything that complicated. Some people will do target training with flying but Rosie is a horrible flyer.

As someone who only plays around here and there with target training, I think the key is to find out what drives Katie and reward her with that. Food, affection, etc.

We have also done it with a box and toys. I had her drop the toys in the box. I guess just any task you can have her perform and then reward her.

It's amazing how smart they are, I had no clue. I read somewhere macaws have the intelligence of an 8 year old but the emotional tolerance of a toddler. In my opinion that is right on. Smart, smart, smart!!


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Target training really makes sense for flying to me. But like Rosie, Katie is not a flyer. Even her previous owner said she flies like a rock lol

I'm going to probably give her a good month and introduce it a couple of minutes a day with me and the kids. Love the idea of incorporating things with her toys. She loves to play ball and throw those plastic links.

So sweet how Rosie is affection driven!! Katie is food driven hands down!! She loves almonds, cashews, pine nuts. And those are given only as treats by the kids [emoji6]

Thank you again Kendra!!!


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