Scott Robins, Head Animal Trainer

Scott Robins Edutainment, Inc.

Okay now. I exposed my great secret in my last blog entry. I use a toy box clicker as an effective communication tool with my birds and animals. Understand that in our effort to establish proper communication with our pets, we need to be able to show them in a meaningful way that what they did was correct. With positive reinforcement, we increase the likelihood that the desired behavior will be repeated. Also note that our animals initially do not understand our own language as we know it. Okay, how do we establish that the sound of a click means that something good happened?

First, we can look at what motivates an animal to do anything. Typically, a behavior of an animal is driven by something that it wants. For instance, hunger drives the desire for food. In the case of a bird, the foraging drive for food occurs typically in the morning and in the late afternoon. We can use this information to our advantage. Also, we can enhance this drive by observing our birds to determine what their favorite food items are. These items can be eliminated from what I will call “free access” and become earned rewards. Please note that this is not about restriction in any way. More so, it is about modifying the how’s and when’s of your bird getting what it wants. Also consider that birds forage for everything that they eat in the wild. In establishing a training program, you are giving your bird an opportunity to earn the extra things that it wants. Training is enrichment time, relationship time, and also can replace some of the natural foraging that your bird would have done in the wild.

Assuming now that you have gone out and purchased a clicker, you need to “charge your clicker”. You need to build the association that the sound of the clicker means something positive. I recommend that your time to train is consistent. At this point, you have also removed high valued food items from free access. Some trainers will also remove any food from cages an hour before training begins. Also note that if you train at a time when Mother Nature has created a natural food drive, at least initially, then you have an added layer of motivation in your favor.

For initial simplification, let us assume that you can get your bird to sit on a T-stand. Work with your bird in an area that has as little distractions as possible. You will need your clicker and whatever your selected high value treat or treats are. The treats need to be small and something that can be eaten quickly. For your first session or two, all you will do is click and reward your bird with a treat quickly with several repetitions. Some trainers call this rapid fire. Abbreviated it looks like this c/t c/t c/t c/t for several repetitions. Then stop. Note that short training sessions of five to ten minutes in the beginning are all that is required. Typically, I recommend doing two rapid fire sessions before making any modifications. In your third session, we are looking for the “connection”. This time, we will click, but instead of immediately delivering the reward, you wait for that instant “magic”. Actually, what you are looking for is your bird’s full attention to you as soon as you click. Your bird should be waiting in anticipation of receiving the reward. When this happens, you have experienced your first “AHAA moment, working together as a team. Your bird has learned that anytime it hears a click, a desired reward will be earned. Make sure that you deliver that reward in exchange for your bird’s attention. In addition to delivering the treat, make sure that you also are delivering positive praise. Here is the number one training rule. Every click earns a reward. If you clicked at the wrong time (early or late), you still owe your bird. Especially for novice animals and trainers, this rule must be followed.

Now you know that the sound of the clicker serves as a “bridge” or mark. It tells your bird that whatever it did is correct and a reward will be earned. Where do we go from here? Check out my website at www.scottrobinsedutainment.com. Watch Lola playing basketball. Go to www.youtube.com to see more training sessions on line. Where do we go from here? We need to learn a few other foundational skills and them the possibilities are endless. Thanks again to Mitch and Katherine and Windycityparrot.com.

Scott Robins