Bitesize91
Meeting neighbors
- Joined
- 5/15/22
- Messages
- 37
Hi all!
I wanted to ask some suggestions on how to calm my red heeler mix down when my Amazon is out of his cage. Remi (the heeler) totally ignores Sweet Pea (my Amazon) if he's in or on top of his cage. The moment we show interest in the bird, Remi is all over us and the bird. Super excited, jumping all over the place, knocking things over and in general just being a pest when the bird's out. We've had Sweet Pea for about a year and a half now, so I'd hope this would eventually subside with time and they got used to each other, but it absolutely has not. I've tried training sessions but he's so hyper focused on the bird that I don't think im really getting through to him. Without the bird in the equation, training is "normal" but doesn't seem to carry over when Sweet Pea is on hand. To put it in training terms, his reaction/proximity to Sweet Pea is a much higher rearward to him than any treat I can give him, so I think the treats aren't holding a high enough value. Would letting him sniff a molted feather be considered a positive reinforcer for Remi?
Suggestions other than a professional trainer (though that option doesn't seem to far away at this point)?
I wanted to ask some suggestions on how to calm my red heeler mix down when my Amazon is out of his cage. Remi (the heeler) totally ignores Sweet Pea (my Amazon) if he's in or on top of his cage. The moment we show interest in the bird, Remi is all over us and the bird. Super excited, jumping all over the place, knocking things over and in general just being a pest when the bird's out. We've had Sweet Pea for about a year and a half now, so I'd hope this would eventually subside with time and they got used to each other, but it absolutely has not. I've tried training sessions but he's so hyper focused on the bird that I don't think im really getting through to him. Without the bird in the equation, training is "normal" but doesn't seem to carry over when Sweet Pea is on hand. To put it in training terms, his reaction/proximity to Sweet Pea is a much higher rearward to him than any treat I can give him, so I think the treats aren't holding a high enough value. Would letting him sniff a molted feather be considered a positive reinforcer for Remi?
Suggestions other than a professional trainer (though that option doesn't seem to far away at this point)?