How to train with absolutely 0 food motivation?

[Miss Annamarie]

Meet Sophie the foster! Ive been trying to post more about my fosters as I usually have at least one whether parrot or pigeon, I also am on the board of my local rescue now so I'm even more involved.

But I've never had a bird that is just not treat motivated in the slightest, sure super duper picky birds or birds who will only take like two treats. But not a bird who just does not care.

She is a little delight, I'm not usually the biggest fan of cockatoos but shes a sweetheart. Big cuddler and when you take out her harness she will crawl into your lap and put her wings out to help you put it on.

But I can do 0 training with her, her one issue is she reallllllyy does not want to step up when she doesn't want to and is a big shoulder rusher.

She's big on attention but from what I've noticed its not enough a reward for her when it comes to training. She will take a treat or two sometimes, only sunflower seeds or an almond in a shell. But no real want for it. She loves her breakfast and thats about it.

 

[Mizzely]

What about toys? My green cheek wouldn't give me the time of day for food, but give her a maraca to throw and she was all over it!

 

[Peachfaced]

I was gonna say, toys or praise? Some just love the extra attention.

But I’d also take a moment to have her do a couple of quick tricks or whatever you want to practice right before breakfast. So she’s hungry and more motivated but also gets her brekkie after.

 

[AussieBird]

I've not done a lot of actual "training" with him but my galah Quarter used to have no food motivation... until I randomly gave him some budgie seed. He liked that over big seeds and nuts etc. He really does do best with praise and attention though, he recalls and step up just because he like being on me and loves getting kisses.

 

[Miss Annamarie]

What about toys? My green cheek wouldn't give me the time of day for food, but give her a maraca to throw and she was all over it!

She loves her toys and chewing on them but shes not big on anything I could hand her like a foot toy, shell play, but only sometimes and only if shes in the mood

 

[Miss Annamarie]

I was gonna say, toys or praise? Some just love the extra attention.

But I’d also take a moment to have her do a couple of quick tricks or whatever you want to practice right before breakfast. So she’s hungry and more motivated but also gets her brekkie after.

That might be a good idea, it's so weird, I know she lovvvvees when theres pasta in her chop but if I try to use it as a treat she doesnt care. I might try to overdo it with the praise, im just so used to pairing that with a treat.

 

[Miss Annamarie]

I've not done a lot of actual "training" with him but my galah Quarter used to have no food motivation... until I randomly gave him some budgie seed. He liked that over big seeds and nuts etc. He really does do best with praise and attention though, he recalls and step up just because he like being on me and loves getting kisses.

Sophie does the same, recall is perfect just because she loves attention. She is a big lovebug!

 

[MommyBird]

Meet Sophie the foster! Ive been trying to post more about my fosters as I usually have at least one whether parrot or pigeon, I also am on the board of my local rescue now so I'm even more involved.

But I've never had a bird that is just not treat motivated in the slightest, sure super duper picky birds or birds who will only take like two treats. But not a bird who just does not care.

She is a little delight, I'm not usually the biggest fan of cockatoos but shes a sweetheart. Big cuddler and when you take out her harness she will crawl into your lap and put her wings out to help you put it on.

But I can do 0 training with her, her one issue is she reallllllyy does not want to step up when she doesn't want to and is a big shoulder rusher.

She's big on attention but from what I've noticed its not enough a reward for her when it comes to training. She will take a treat or two sometimes, only sunflower seeds or an almond in a shell. But no real want for it. She loves her breakfast and thats about it.

OMG a Goffin!
My Goffin didn't give a hoot about foods (although a millet spray piece could keep him busy for longer than most things)
Goffins are ALL about drama rewards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Applaud, dance, sing, baby talk....just make it dramatic.

 

[Miss Annamarie]

OMG a Goffin!
My Goffin didn't give a hoot about foods (although a millet spray piece could keep him busy for longer than most things)
Goffins are ALL about drama rewards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Applaud, dance, sing, baby talk....just make it dramatic.

Totally makes sense! I'm unsure how i didnt think of it! I was just using normal praise and attention!

 

[TikiMyn]

Is she comfortable taking the treats? Obviously she is very comfortable with you but I noticed with some of my birds that they just had not been offered food from a hand and didn't get the concept of training. I spent some time just feeding them treats not asking anything, and progressed from there.
I think with birds that are not food motivated it is just hard, I think attention as a reward is great but it can be hard when you are giving them attention all the time for good/sweet behaviours etc and then they may not be motivated to do something, for attention they know they will get anyway. I helped train a ducorps cockatoo who was similar to yours, she was not motivated by her owner's attention at all, but was very motivated for attention by strangers. That is not very practical at all. In general she was a well behaved bird but she never took to formal training.

 

[sunnysmom]

What a cutie. Yes, my goffin could care less about food but loves attention. If you can find something she really enjoys to do, that can be the reward. And they're so smart. My goffin responds really well to praise.

 

[Miss Annamarie]

Is she comfortable taking the treats? Obviously she is very comfortable with you but I noticed with some of my birds that they just had not been offered food from a hand and didn't get the concept of training. I spent some time just feeding them treats not asking anything, and progressed from there.
I think with birds that are not food motivated it is just hard, I think attention as a reward is great but it can be hard when you are giving them attention all the time for good/sweet behaviours etc and then they may not be motivated to do something, for attention they know they will get anyway. I helped train a ducorps cockatoo who was similar to yours, she was not motivated by her owner's attention at all, but was very motivated for attention by strangers. That is not very practical at all. In general she was a well behaved bird but she never took to formal training.

She is! But she's very specific about when she wants one, she'll always take a sunflower seed at bedtime and thats the only reliable time. Even if I fill my hand with something I know shes a fan of, she might take one and then move on to whatever she was doing (which is usually cuddling lol)

 

[sunnysmom]

She is! But she's very specific about when she wants one, she'll always take a sunflower seed at bedtime and thats the only reliable time. Even if I fill my hand with something I know shes a fan of, she might take one and then move on to whatever she was doing (which is usually cuddling lol)

Have you tried cashews? The only thing Elvis is even remotely interested in are cashews.

 

[Miss Annamarie]

Have you tried cashews? The only thing Elvis is even remotely interested in are cashews.

I think cashews and pine nuts are the only ones I haven't tried! Ill let you know

 

[Shezbug]

Birdie is one who cannot be motivated (by me or anyone I’ve seen with him yet)
Although he likes certain foods, sayings/voices, reactions and attention from me I can honestly swear that none of them are a large enough motivator for me to get any co operation from him. Birdie does everything on his own time and will not drop so low as to bribed

 

[Miss Annamarie]

Birdie is one who cannot be motivated (by me or anyone I’ve seen with him yet)
Although he likes certain foods, sayings/voices, reactions and attention from me I can honestly swear that none of them are a large enough motivator for me to get any co operation from him. Birdie does everything on his own time and will not drop so low as to bribed

This is how its been as well! Sophie is very much her own girl, she may love cuddling, but for her thats a given not a reward!

 

[Neoandme]

Meet Sophie the foster! Ive been trying to post more about my fosters as I usually have at least one whether parrot or pigeon, I also am on the board of my local rescue now so I'm even more involved.

But I've never had a bird that is just not treat motivated in the slightest, sure super duper picky birds or birds who will only take like two treats. But not a bird who just does not care.

She is a little delight, I'm not usually the biggest fan of cockatoos but shes a sweetheart. Big cuddler and when you take out her harness she will crawl into your lap and put her wings out to help you put it on.

But I can do 0 training with her, her one issue is she reallllllyy does not want to step up when she doesn't want to and is a big shoulder rusher.

She's big on attention but from what I've noticed its not enough a reward for her when it comes to training. She will take a treat or two sometimes, only sunflower seeds or an almond in a shell. But no real want for it. She loves her breakfast and thats about it.
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I have a budgie that is EXACTLY the same he wont take treats but there are other ways to reward him! I do have a budgie so I am not sure if this will work for cockatoos, but you can try finding something that he likes, like my bird loves 1. my voice 2. the top of his cage so when training I will reward him with either one. By the way your bird is BEAUTIFUL