Stick training help

[ZivaDiva]

I'm attempting to stick train Ziva and failing at it miserably. Most of the time, she hops right over it and takes off when I get close with the stick. She has accidentally stepped on the end of it and the stick drops down a little and she freaks.

 

 

Where do I begin?

 

I have been doing it when she's on top of her cage and I guess I should towel her and take her into the bathroom. I've not done that yet as I've only had her a week and she hates being toweled. I do put the cage in a corner and kind of back her into the corner and then get up above the cage with the stick. She waits for me to get close with the stick, hops over it and takes off.

 

I'm also not sure how to not let the stick lower when she steps on it. I'm used to cockatiels and they don't weigh quite as much!

 

She is very verbal and while attempting to get her on the stick she said, "Oh, G*d. What the h*ll?" And, "What are you doing, a$$h*le?" She seems to have learned a lot from the woman I adopted her from.

[Eckobird]

Haha wow Ziva sure has some attitude. lol Maybe if you put the stick flat onto something, like lay it on top of the cage so she can step up or have something underneath to support it so it doesn't move when she steps on. Your lucky you can even get the stick near her, my moms grey FREAKS OUT when he sees a stick coming near him.

[MadMax]

hi i just posted abit about clicker training/stick training you may find it helpful

[Dave007]

Stick training shouldn't be done on the top of anything. Your bird should be taken to an enclosed room because flying around isn't unusual for a bird that's dealing with a new object. That's most prevalent with greys who are afraid of most things that are new and strange. Your bird should be put on the floor. The stick should be laid down near the bird. The bird will walk away. Do it again and again. The bird will not go as far as long as repitition is done. When the bird flies away, just go there and try again and again. When your bird finally accepts the stick being nearby, start using your hand with the stick. Put the stick 1/4 inch from the top of the feet very close to the lower breast.. He'll fly so do it again until he starts getting brave by putting one foot on the stick. Take the stick away and then repeat it until he puts 2 feet on the stick. Always do this learning process with no one around and distractions can't happen.<br><br>Post edited by: Dave007, at: 2009/06/23 23:21