Training Sessions

[Christina]

If you are holding a training session with your grey, how long does it usually last? I just started with Finnigan, just trying to teach her little tricks just to give her something to think about. Well, I train her and my macaw at the same time...Finnigan lasts about 5 minutes...max. My macaw (who is a year older) will go forever and seems to really relish the challenge. I can almost see Finnigan thinking that this is way beneath her. Such a little snooty girl. But I still think that to challenge her to learn things is a good idea.

[siobha9]

A training session lasts as long as my guys are interested. Some sessions if they are particularly hungry and want to keep earning treats can last 15 minutes, but other times a couple of repetitions and they lose interest. I stop as soon as they want to because I want training to be a fun thing we do together rather than a chore;) .

[lovemyGreys]

It depends on your grey,some have an attention span of 5 minutes others will stay focused for longer.I tend to have 3 short 10 minutes sessions with my macaw

[Trustdace]

I myself train Congo in short sessions with sunflower seeds as treats. That's the only time when it eats sunflower seeds while training. On the other hand my daughter trains him to talk for extended periods of time. Congo seems to enjoy it and doesn't seem stressed at all. Lately it seems all Congo wants to do is be around us and the first thing it does to any of the family members when we approach s/he is lower the head to be pet! Congo makes noises like if its trying to talk at almost 6 months old. I remember 33 days ago when I got her/him how skittish it was and how it nipped at my wife, my daughter, and son. I think the most you interact with your grey through training and playing the better unless; of course, your bird starts to stress.B)

[Christina]

Well, Finnigan seems completly disinterested in any training session. I'll keep trying though, she is a smart cookie...Thanks for you replies.