treat advice!

[angelawonder]

I have a goffin cockatoo that I would like to start training. I've been trying but he's just not food motivated right now. He's almost 8 months old. I swear its like he has adhd. I give him a treat, he doesn't really eat it, just plays a little with it and then drops it. I have tried everything I can think of; sunflower, pine nuts, almonds, walnuts, colored pellets, organic cheerio shaped pellets, peanuts, veggies, bread, etc. He does seem to hold on to and eat the nutriberries. However, as a training treat I wanted something small so we can keep on training. I am really not sure what else to try. He seems to love whatever it is that I'm eating and likes to play with food. Anyone out there with a Goffins and can offer advice?

 

[JLcribber]

Seems a bit young to be doing any serious training yet (at least to me).

Many birds are not food motivated. The concept of training is behaviour - reward. Reward does not have to be a treat. Praise or affection is also a reward. If you freely give those all the time there's no real need to work for them. Similar to calling a dogs name over and over constantly expecting the dog to listen whereas what's really happening is desensitization to being called.

There's always junk food but that's cheating.

 

[angelawonder]

I mostly want to train him for recall. My biggest fear is that he will get out. I refuse to clip his wing because he has so much fun flying and i keep my doors locked when he's out but its better to be safe then sorry

 

[angelawonder]

I honestly could care less if my bird performs like a circus animal as long as hes healthy happy and enjoying his life with me