Model-Rival training

[zandische]

Has anyone tried the model-rival training method developed by Dr. Pepperberg? I have been thinking a lot about doing this and now that my parrot is coming up on 2 years old, I figure she is about ready to start learning to associate words with meaning. She already does to some extent, but I am thinking there are a lot more doors to help her open in that regard!

 

Well, I've recently learned that Folkmanis puppets is releasing an African Grey Puppet in January and I think this is what I'm going to use as the "model/rival" in my training plan. So if anyone else is interested in this, check them out! (The release date is Jan 1, but when I spoke to them on the phone they advised the puppets may not be in stores until mid-jan.) They will retail for $24.99 USD. Also, I understand that http://www.kidsbooksandpuppets.com/ will be carrying these at a discounted rate!

[Gryphon]

My husband and I just started trying this with Gryphon. He's 19mo and, while it is too early to say if he's learning labels, he is definitely highly entertained by the whole thing. We feel a little foolish and tend to crack up once in a while. Gryphon laughs with us. Or at us.

 

We've started with just one object, a plastic key that he loves. Let me know how it goes!

[Mingus]

I intend to use it with my Timneh, Kofi. He's just 6 months old now, but he has learned to say "poo poo" when he needs to relieve himself, "tickle" when he wants a scratch, or alternately, when he scratches himself, and has made very distinct efforts as "baby food" as I offer him feeding formula from a spoon. The challenge is to get another person to consistently play along, but my partner seems to be both interested and willing, so we will start soon. I've just finished ALEX and ME by Pepperberg. She describes some of this in the book. THE ALEX STUDIES is much drier and longer, but it also describes the technique. It's not particularly complicated. I'd say keep doing this with Gryphon. I love the idea of a Grey puppet, I was thinking about this myself. I think my bird would figure out that it is me doing the speaking, but just as a human child responds to a puppet, perhaps it woulc not matter.

I would love to hear back from both of you on your progress. Our birds are so smart, what a shame not to teach them how to voice their wants and needs!

Greg (alias Mingus)

[Mingus]

I bought an Amazon handpuppet. It looked more real to me than any of the grey ones I could find. I'm thinking it might work better (if it works at all). I will definitely try it and keep you updated. FYI it looks like this: http://www.puppetuniverse.com/hand-puppets/sleeve-hand-puppets/amazonparrothandpuppet.cfm

[particle77]

So did anyone have any luck using a puppet as a rival? How did you produce the voice of the model?

 

I'm planning to make a similar attempt with Squawkers McCaw, which is basically a programmable toy parrot.

 

(hear is a video demo of it:

)

[Mingus]

I could never bring myself to actually do it. It just seemed so stupid, the puppet sits in my closet. Plus I suspect that my parrot will know that the voice is actually coming from my mouth.

[particle77]

yeah, thats what I was thinking. Squawkers seems to have a leg up on a normal puppet in that respect. I also found a video of a grey interacting with Squawkers McCaw in a way that at least suggested the parrot was interested.

[SchroedersJen]

I tried it with a mini recorder that I held in the puppet head and could press while it was "talking" Schroeder looked at me like I was retarded and chewed it's eyes off when I wasn't looking. Needless to say, it didn't work very well. I hope you have good luck with it though

[JeffNOK]

I think the rival/model method works best with a person. As many of you mentioned--the Grey won't be fooled by a polyester substitute. I'm a teacher of English to adults from different countries. I'm hoping to use my students as rivals.