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Harness Training


lovemyGreys

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Another idea... I have noticed that when the birds are in the shower I can handle them anywhere. I can lift their wings, and their tails. I can move them around and they dont seem to mind. I do this every time I shower them as I think it will give them more trust to be handled getting the harness on!

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  • 4 weeks later...

Lovemygreys,

 

Harness will enable people to take their greys out safely. This is a slow process. And consists a bit more than just stuffing the bird into harness or even training the grey to accept harness.

 

Harness is only the secondary restraint. The primary restraint must be the comfortness of the parrot with you.

 

NEVER EVER HOLD THE HARNESS OR LOOP AROUND THE HAND. ALWAYS CARABINER THAT HARNESS TO YOUR BELT OR YOUR BACKPACK.

 

I forgot my own rule and I nearly died.

 

Read how that was punished. I was lucky.

Do you want to go through what I went through?

http://shanlung.livejournal.com/71760.html

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I noticed someone mention the difficulty of training an adult parrot to accept a harness that goes over the head. I had the same problem with Carly -- that was the one sticking point.

 

I eventually made my own harnesses that clip around the neck instead of going over the head. The one I like the most is simple to use but very hard to describe! I will try to get some photos of it and how it is put on. Quite easy to make from the nylon cord that is sold at places like REI by the yard.

 

The Feather Tether also does not go over the head, but some don't like it because it's a bit heavier and clunky than the others. But it might be a good place to start with for training.

 

raz

 

p.s. I will reiterate the Shanlung Principle also: ALWAYS ATTACH THE LEASH TO YOU, don't just hold it or wrap it around your wrist. Once I tripped with Carly on my shoulder on a harness and I would definitely have let it loose as I fell forward.

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  • 2 months later...

We plan to put Roscoes Aviator harness on when his pin feathers are out of the shaft more because I imagine the harness on those pin feathers cannot be comfy but we do not plan to ever cut Roscoes wings so he will be acustomed to the harness for sure.

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Lovemygreys,

 

I just bought an aviator harnersss, my CAG is nearly six months old and I cant wait to try it on her. I think she will have a great time flying outside in the open air.

 

Thanks for the thread

 

Nims

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I just purchased the Aviator harness Sunday for Mika, the DVD that is enclosed is just wonderful and I plan to follow it to the tee for both our sakes. We are working twice a day right now. Maybe in a couple of weeks I will try to put it on him for the first time. But for now I dont care how long it takes as long as it is done right.;)

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  • 5 months later...

For some reason Tobie who is used to a flight suit was so suspicious of the aviator harness that he avoided it for the month or so that I hung it on his cage or play stand. Finally I decided to just try it. All of the exercises about sliding fingers over the head and lifting wings were no problem. The first time I tried it he didn't mind it over the head, but before I could tighten the strap he had stepped through the strap and was holding the strap with the other foot. :huh: It got funny when I was trying to unlock his grip ending with Tobie upside down on the dining room table on his back and finally with both feet over the strap. Of course I couldn't take it off that way. He never panicked - just bit me a time or two. 10 minutes later I managed to get his legs in front of the strap and the thing back over his head. Whew! :whistle: I waited a couple of weeks and tried again. Again no problem over the head, but he managed, even with me holding the strap high, to get a grip on the front strap with both feet. :S I picked him up, upside down, by the harness and transfered him from T-stand to the dining room table again where I kept the strap in front of his legs as I disentagled his feet. Didn't get bitten this time. :laugh: I tightened the strap-quick. Put him on my shoulder and gave him a lengthy walk around the house mopped my kitchen floor and vacuumed my carpet before I took him off my shoulder and the harness off Tobie. Too cold in Boone - this was last October - to go outside. I'm going to wait until we can actually enjoy the harness next spring before I try again. Any technique suggestions would be appreciated. :)<br><br>Post edited by: Janfromboone, at: 2009/01/20 01:57

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