I've been working on target training with my cockatiel. First couple of sessions were not too successful as he was nervous/shy about the stick. (It's just a chopstick). But we've had success recently and he definitely realized now that go to and touch the stick is the behavior I want. The only problem.... sometimes he will bite the stick either aggressively or really hard (like he would when trying to shred a toy). It's about 50/50 between him biting hard/crazy vs just touching it gently or giving it a nibble.
I really just want the touch or nibble, but I'm unsure how I should handle the harder bites he does on the stick. Since this is new training for him, I don't want to send too many mixed messages! I do pull the stick away and reward (treat and praise) as SOON as he touches/bites, but I'm wondering if I should only reward him when he gently touches the stick and not reward him when he bites hard. Any thoughts?
I really just want the touch or nibble, but I'm unsure how I should handle the harder bites he does on the stick. Since this is new training for him, I don't want to send too many mixed messages! I do pull the stick away and reward (treat and praise) as SOON as he touches/bites, but I'm wondering if I should only reward him when he gently touches the stick and not reward him when he bites hard. Any thoughts?