- Joined
- 5/25/12
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- 3,673
- Real Name
- JP
With 8 caiques and none of them keen on hopping, I have been watching and waiting and hoping that one of them would start displaying this beheaviour so I could reward and encourage it.
Over Xmas I decided that I'm tired waiting and began target training Igor and Bam_Bam. They love the training, but so far will only hop from one knee to another, or back and forth from one cushion to the couch. I think they dont know what I expect of them on a flat surface. They will get there, but I think over a couple of months.
So today lunchtime, I placed a soft cover on the bed, let Booboo out to stretch his wings. Then after ten minutes exercise, began his training. I remembered Sally Blanchard used to hold Spike like a wind up toy, and bounce him gently till he got the idea.
Magnificent, Booboo already has no problem being handled. Picked him up, bounced him gently one time, then forward gently hopping, letting his feet touch the bed and knees bend, then forward again, saying Hop Hop Hop.
Felt STRONG pushback from those bigbird legs. Otherwise calm. Could it BE? Am I having another Christmas?
Gave him HUGE praise and excitement. Placed him at the end of the bed. Said come to Papa, and held out my hand. He hopped ALL THE LENGTH OF THE BED to get to me.
FANTASTIC! And he repeated it several times. Didn't even have a reward in my hand to reinforce it.
MMMM The videos. Maybe a caique hopping race when Igor and Bam-Bam are up to speed?
HEHE
Over Xmas I decided that I'm tired waiting and began target training Igor and Bam_Bam. They love the training, but so far will only hop from one knee to another, or back and forth from one cushion to the couch. I think they dont know what I expect of them on a flat surface. They will get there, but I think over a couple of months.
So today lunchtime, I placed a soft cover on the bed, let Booboo out to stretch his wings. Then after ten minutes exercise, began his training. I remembered Sally Blanchard used to hold Spike like a wind up toy, and bounce him gently till he got the idea.
Magnificent, Booboo already has no problem being handled. Picked him up, bounced him gently one time, then forward gently hopping, letting his feet touch the bed and knees bend, then forward again, saying Hop Hop Hop.
Felt STRONG pushback from those bigbird legs. Otherwise calm. Could it BE? Am I having another Christmas?
Gave him HUGE praise and excitement. Placed him at the end of the bed. Said come to Papa, and held out my hand. He hopped ALL THE LENGTH OF THE BED to get to me.
FANTASTIC! And he repeated it several times. Didn't even have a reward in my hand to reinforce it.
MMMM The videos. Maybe a caique hopping race when Igor and Bam-Bam are up to speed?
HEHE
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