Clicker training parrots ~ Target training explained easily!

For some reason, whenever I mention target training to people they give me a response somewhere along the lines of 'I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about'. And there I was thinking it was something simple to get your head around! Well, it is and it can be very simple once you've read this so don't give up just yet. I find it by far the best way to build a relationship between yourself and a bird, especially if the bird is fearful

First of all, you don't have to generalize target training with unsteady, fearful birds. You can use it to train any bird! Don't let it stop at birds either, most animals can be trained this way

I find that the best targets are the clickers with a built in target! If you don't have one, just use a clicker and a chop stick, or anything long and pointy

Once you have got your bird establishing that click = treat, then you can move on to target training. I'll write it down now in some easy-peasy steps 

1) Put the target near the bird at eye level. If the bird backs off then leave it be for a moment. When the bird looks back at the target click and treat. Eventually the bird will learn that if s/he looks at the target then they get a reward

2) Once the bird is comfortable with the target next to them, get them to look at it but don't click and treat. Wait and see what happens. If they touch it (beak it, lick it, whatever) then give them the click immediately and a big reward

3) The bird should be becoming confident touching the clicker either side of their body for a reward. Now you will push them to actually move their position all together just to reach it. Hold the clicker just out of neck reach to their side and fingers crossed they will shuffle across to get to it. Click and treat. Keep doing this for all of your sessions and when you feel that the bird is getting faster and is going further then you can start trick training and recall training*

It's that simple! The process can take a day, a week, a month, a year. It all depends on the individual bird you're working with but I have had a lot of fast success with it and recommend that anybody tries it. Again, don't just stop at your bird. Give it a go with your cat or dog, or hamster... or fish!

Click on the below link to watch a video of two of my green cheek conures on their second day of clicker training. See the difference between the two? The green bird was an aviary bird, no human interaction what so ever. The blue bird was hand raised very well. It really doesn't matter what species, what age etc. All birds are unique

clicker and target training with a pair of green cheek conures

Always reward good behaviour (Warning! Millet is a great
reward but it sure is messy!)

*The next post will be about recall training