Target training

[Ellie]

Is anyone familiar with (or even taught their budgies) target training?

I had found a video a while back about "clicker training" budgies. I thought it was such an interesting idea, especially since I was able to teach my dog to understand clicker training. So I thought I might give it a try with my budgie.

Unfortunately I didn't anticipate the fact that the clicker that I have is for the dog. So she comes running when she hears it, and "Danny" (I'm thinking up a new name), was just plain terrified of it.

So I came across target training - and while some of the target wands for bigger birds have a built in clicker on the hand end of the stick, I figured a bamboo chopstick would work just as well. And guess what? It really did.

Right away he touched the end of the chopstick. So I gave him some millet. I kept repeating this with him and he learned really quickly. So quickly that I was able to place the tip of the stick on other perches, and he was flying to go and touch it. At one point I started to pull the stick out of the cage, and he flew to my arm trying to follow it. Knowing that things aren't bird proofed yet here, I quickly stuck the stick back though the bars, and he flew back in on his own, to go and touch it. I gave him his millet reward, and even left a small piece on his treat clip when we were done. I'm actually really amazed with this whole concept.

Anyone know what else I can use this method for (aside from teaching places to land, or getting him to come to me, etc)? I know clicker training can be used to teach tricks, but can something like this be used to do similar things?

[Deleted]

I know you can teach them to spin by getting them to turn following the stick.

[Hezz]

I've never been a big fan of teaching animals tricks for tricks sake, but I agree that the target training is good for getting the birds to focus on what you want or need them to. I haven't used it much on the budgies (probably should) but I have and do with the conure, and I have used the same - a chopstick. Every now and then I have to get a new one out of the box because I've forgotten to put the one in use away so I find a pile of matchsticks instead of one chopstick.

[Ellie]

Aug 9, 2020 20:19:53 GMT Hezz said:

I've never been a big fan of teaching animals tricks for tricks sake, but I agree that the target training is good for getting the birds to focus on what you want or need them to. I haven't used it much on the budgies (probably should) but I have and do with the conure, and I have used the same - a chopstick. Every now and then I have to get a new one out of the box because I've forgotten to put the one in use away so I find a pile of matchsticks instead of one chopstick.

Yeah, I'm mostly thinking of it in an interactive play/ learning kind of thing.

Sounds like a chopstick is no match for a conure lol

[Hezz]

A chopstick becomes a match-stick if given to a conure.

But I agree, the learning process can be great bonding time, as usually (in the bird's eye) doing something simple is a great way of getting those hard-earned treats. The one thing I can see being of huge benefit is recall training. If one should escape and perch up nearby. Unfortunately Loki is only part-way there. But since he is a bit of a velcro bird anyway, I think I could lure him down from an outside place if needed. But not if there was a cockatoo anywhere in a five mile radius.

[Deleted]

Hezz I once taught Munchy a few tricks, including going home on command. Never used a chopstick though. I feel my current two would flee the chopstick for sure, although I would need an adequate reward first anyway.

What would you say is a good list of things that budgies 'should' learn how to do, if possible?

[Hezz]

Step up, stay put, step down and going home. I think these are the basics. Of course allowing to be caught is right up there as well, but that isn't really about training. It's more familiarity, and very much a gradual process. It does mean that the budgie doesn't freak out any time you need to contain him for any length of time. They will still try to slip out and no one said giving meds was ever going to be easy but they don't get panicked as some tend to do.

[Deleted]

Stay put would be so nice... one day... I think even step up might be a long term goal over here.

[Hezz]

Don't worry, my boys only do if they feel like it, as well, if they are being transported somewhere.

[Deleted]

Hezz Phew! That's reassuring to know.

[Hezz]

Spyro is the worst; what has he got to chat to, if he is boringly just sitting on a stick?? Plus now he has his bromance going with the Lokster. Mere humans can be such a nuisance!

[Ellie]

Aug 10, 2020 20:21:36 GMT @sillycat84 said:

Stay put would be so nice... one day... I think even step up might be a long term goal over here.

How long have you had your budgies now? It's surprising -just when you think it will take forever to get a little progress, it can happen. My mothers budgies have never been tame, and after me visiting one day a week for 3 or so years, finally one of the budgies has started showing interest in me. She hops on to the front of the cage bars to come say hello, and will even quickly tap the tip of my finger with her beak. She even follows me along the perch as I pass the cage. This is coming from a budgie that would get as far away from people as possible, usually in a panic banging off the cage sides if anyone got near. I guess it's really just about working within their comfort zone.

[Deleted]

Hmm... 6-8 weeks for the newer one, about 12 for the older.
They're good at managing themselves with going home and accept help when they're in trouble, and they let me go up close to chat to them and accept food from me.
Just going to keep working with them and see where we get. If it's just that they take breakfast from my palm, let me chat and offer treats, don't flee my hands too much but generally just interact so I can only really observe them, so be it. They're happy and healthy. I miss a stronger bond and more interaction but watching them is a pleasure.
I just need them to get more confident at coming out. I might need to put their bowls outside to encourage them.