tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813842527488109648.post4451989976748619638..comments2024-02-28T02:29:49.755-06:00Comments on Barbara's Force Free Animal Training Talk: A Good Start to a Good BirdBarbara Heidenreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09023471815028634939noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813842527488109648.post-60996612410046047372013-10-08T20:32:38.363-05:002013-10-08T20:32:38.363-05:00Hi David,
I am happy to respond to you and your s...Hi David,<br /><br />I am happy to respond to you and your situation. And I appreciate all the wonderful things you have done to learn about training and living with companion parrots. Certainly this article is not attempting to give solutions to all behavior problems, but give those starting out with young birds the tools to get on the right path and hopefully stay there. Yes I agree challenges can arise. And more focused attention may be required to address some issues. It really sounds like a private consultation would help in your situation. I can recommend someone who will work with you online (www.Pamelaclarkonline.com) or can see what I can do to try to find someone near you. Where are you located? A good consultant will help you discover those little things you might be missing that are contributing to maintaining the undesired behavior and where you might be missing opportunities to reinforce the desired ones. I know it may seem tough to see the forest through the trees at the moment, but a think a little guidance will help clarify the approach to take.<br /><br />Dont give up just yet!<br />BarbaraBarbara Heidenreichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023471815028634939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813842527488109648.post-26860031774625737952013-09-20T15:49:11.074-05:002013-09-20T15:49:11.074-05:00Hi Barbara,
I have to say this post was both info...Hi Barbara,<br /><br />I have to say this post was both informative and frustrating. I have often turned to your website, your products and your postings for advise, as well as a myriad of other sources, from Dr. Susan Friedman's behaviour and analysis groups to clicker training, etc. I've owned a conure, lovebirds, a cockatiel, and caique before moving to New Zealand, and helped out with a parrot rescue in Canada. So I'm more informed than your average parrot owner. <br /><br />And now I have a young flighted galah who is making me question whether I keep him or find a new home and give up on birds entirely. So to read someone writing that they've never had a moment of doubt, and if you just follow positive reinforcement you'll never have a problem makes me feel like an utter failure.<br /><br />My galah flies to his cage on cue, says hello and whistles on cue, steps up, drops objects on cue, all thanks to guidance from Goodbird inc, and positive reinforcement. He's free flighted, and has had an excellent check up from the vet for fitness and health.<br /><br />But his screeching and flying around the house has been incredibly hard to extinguish. He has toys galore, they change weekly, and but he screeches even when he's out with us. Being flighted now means we can't let him out without constant supervision. Yes, I hope that it's all trainable, and some day these won't be issues. But I recall one instance since bringing him home that we were able to just hang out with each other. <br /><br />I'm sure I'm doing a host of things wrong, but that's the point. I'm in a constant state of vigilance about how to train, what to do, etc. <br /><br />So if I feel unprepared for this galah, then perhaps I should give him up? Well, in New Zealand we're constantly seeing families giving up their parrots, probably for exactly the same reasons. There aren't the same resources as in North America, for clubs, support groups, even vets who know what their doing (though there are some). Where would I find someone in NZ who's going to try harder than I have?<br /><br />So to be told that you can have a blissful relationship if you just follow these simple steps doesn't feel good.<br /><br />I'm not asking that you post this on your blog, because I think you do great work, and are a very important resource to the parrot owning community. I'm simply (apparently along with venting) asking you to consider those of us who are trying but not having an easy go of it. I'm sure you see it all the time.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />DavidDavidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03055962549209863585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813842527488109648.post-64799218980614220952013-09-18T14:31:52.223-05:002013-09-18T14:31:52.223-05:00Aweome! I am so glad to hear you have been able to...Aweome! I am so glad to hear you have been able to use the information from the seminar. I love success stories! : ) Sounds like you will have some wonderful babies.Barbara Heidenreichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023471815028634939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813842527488109648.post-40914841601803493652013-09-18T14:28:03.827-05:002013-09-18T14:28:03.827-05:00What a wonderful article! I was so happy to meet y...What a wonderful article! I was so happy to meet you back in June at the seminar in Austin. I have been using my what I learned with my six caiques and I really appreciate what you said about breeders in the article. I will definitely be incorporating that into my routine when my birds start breeding. I can't wait to give it a try. Currently my birds are working on turn around, wave, step up, recall and going back to their cages. They are all at various stages of learning but it has been wonderful! Thanks for the steady stream of good advice.The Reluctant Adventurerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01704420750119297832noreply@blogger.com