Leaderboard

I ordered an aviator harness for Alfie and it was delivered today. He will be 16 years old this month and has never been harness trained. He also doesn't particularly like his back and wings being touched. So why the heck did I buy a harness? I'm hoping that if I take it super slow and steady then I might be able to slowly convince him that the harness is a good thing. Then perhaps I'll be able to take him out on walks. I'm willing to put the time and effort in but I also understand that I may never be able to convince him. I started training today. I showed him the packaging and acted excited about it. I took the harness out and rolled it around in my hands telling him what it was and how much fun he could have outside if he wants to wear it some day. I then allowed him to take a closer look. I let him 'touch' the harness with his beak (but not bite it). Every time he touched it gently he got a cedar nut. I did this a few times. Then I backed off. This is how I'm planning on starting- just showing it to him and letting him know how fun it will be. I'm also planning on maybe getting some ribbon or other material which I don't mind being destroyed to work on getting closer to him, and resting it on his back and wings (eventually). I can also make loops with it and try and train him to get his head through it without biting it. (thinking of using a similar coloured material to the harness). Obviously this is thinking ahead a lot. I plan to work to Alfie's 'grey time'. One little step at a time. He may reject it and I may have to eventually give up if he is uncomfortable with the idea. But I think it's worth a try. And actually having some focused training time isn't a bad thing either. I'm planning on posting updates here though they will undoubtedly be few and far between. I don't expect this to be a quick process at all! Wish us luck!

Are you specifically after a male? Was just curious why if so. Are you thinking of trying to breed them? I've often thought about getting a second bird but never really had a preference for male or female. I'm not even sure Alfie is definitely a male as I've never had him DNA tested. He could be an Alfina or Alfette for all I know. 😂