I am working with Calypso, a young B&G who is about 10 months old. She is being trained as an outreach bird. I am proceeding with clicker training. As a young macaw, she is naturally wanting attention all the time. I have noticed, if I look away she will tug at my shirt to get attention. To stop this I have been trying to use distraction. However I realize this is not a good way to proceed because, my trying to distract her actually gives her the attention that she wants.
I was thinking that I should just ignore the shirt-tug however, I do not think that would work because, she will often pinch my skin under my shirt while tugging at my shirt. So far I have not been bruised from this pinching, but I defiantly worry that the behavior could escalate. It also seems by accident that she discovered the nipple-cripple, she does not do it often, (even though I am a man) I definitely want to stop that behavior before it even gets off the ground.
Any suggestions for how to proceed.
I was thinking that I should just ignore the shirt-tug however, I do not think that would work because, she will often pinch my skin under my shirt while tugging at my shirt. So far I have not been bruised from this pinching, but I defiantly worry that the behavior could escalate. It also seems by accident that she discovered the nipple-cripple, she does not do it often, (even though I am a man) I definitely want to stop that behavior before it even gets off the ground.
Any suggestions for how to proceed.