B.J's Teaching your Bird to Fetch.

 

A little game that will amuse & exercise your feathered playmate.

A playing card is ideal for learning & playing fetch. Bend the card slightly so

it doesn't lie flat, making it easier for the bird to pick up.

Encourage your bird to play with the card. It doesn't matter if he tears it up,

you have 51 replacements.

Play 'Peep-ho' with him, some birds really enjoy it. When he's at ease &

familiar with the playing card. Place a small treat on the table, when he

comes over for it. Cover it with the card.

He may think out of sight means gone. If so lift the card so he can see it.

This will convince him, out of sight doesn't mean gone.

If he picks the card up or he moves the card to get the treat. take it from

him & say 'Fetch.' Don't say, 'Thanks, or Thank you.' the treat is the thanks.

Practice this part for a few days. Only practice for a few minutes at a time,

twice a day otherwise he will get bored & the treat will loose its appeal.

If after a few days he is still pushes the card aside. Hold the card down with

your finger until he bites at the card edge, then take it from him,

saying 'Fetch.' Revealing the treat. Biting will progress into picking up. You

want the bird to associate the word fetch with giving you the card. Which he

will do with practice. You can add all the words of praise you want later. Now

pretend to place the treat under the card & offer the treat in exchange for

the card. If he see's you holding the treat, he has no reason to pick up the

card. Slowly over a few days increase the distance he has to walk to give you

the card. Once you both have mastered fetch. You can substitute the card for

other objects. Yours B.J.

Edited April 28, 201213 yr by Bird Junky

Oh hey, I like this trick, BJ. It sounds like something even I could teach a bird to do! And I have just the bird to try it with. A one year old hand fed hen that got returned to me because the owner became allergic to her. Poor bird is missing her mommy, and could use some attention. Problem is, she has some nasty habits, and one of them is biting. Maybe I could distract her with something constructive to do.

Hi i Finnie . Perhaps you should try this first. Distraction will only work until

 

your distracted.

 

Biting birds. These birds are best fed treat foods in small portions through the bars of the cage,

 

with a pair of tweezers or chopsticks. As the birds get used to this, gradually over the next few days,

 

move your fingers closer to the treat food as you slowly build up the bond of trust. The treats are fed

 

little & often. If your bird even attempts to bite, remove the treat food for a count of 10 & re-offer it.

 

Any longer & the bird may not link the two actions, do this as often as it takes. Don't be in a hurry,

 

only when your birds are 100% happy to eat from your fingertips for several days, are they ready for

 

the next stage. This stage is not complete until the birds stop any biting behaviour. Yours B.J.

 

 

Thank you for the tips, BJ