The Most Important Tool in Training

Smokey's instagram: wingsnpaws_ (don't forget the underscore)

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[vogelvrouw]

Your dog is adorable! I have a parrot who does the clicker sound whenever i do something he likes or give him a treat, it so funny, hes trying to train me

[TattooedGranny]

This is all solid advice. I have never used target training but I am considering this to build confidence in my very phobic new DYH rescue. High value treats have been helpful to get him to explore parts of his cage that he fears and to step up. He still sometimes looks at my hands with fear so it has been a slow process. I have had him for a month. He loves head scratches and his freedom. His cage door is always open now. I was told he was kept in a cage for 36 years with no toys. Previous to this I have raised and trained hand fed babies which were soooo easy. My new guy progresses every day but slowly. Thank you for your videos.

[andblackbirdsbakedinapi]

I don't have any winged pet or friend, but I love watching your videos and how you teach about the care of birds with your beloved Smokey. Simply uplifting to know that there are those out there who love their little pets, and you're a joy to listen to, with how calm and astoundingly patient you are when you teach, and not at all condescending or making poor attempts at being a comedian. You're an inspiration, and are selfless, to boot. Well done on being such a pillar, and a solid role model.

[vsb]

Lol when Smokey grabbed the red container!

[michellestrauss]

Your videos are so insightful and I'm really really glad that you take the time to document and share your experiences and techniques with Smokey. It's inspired me to take on a different, more patient approach with animals, and while your relationship with Smokey has made me more drawn towards owning a bird of my own, your explanations have directed me into first gaining proper knowledge and into volunteering to understand the breadth of responsibilities and commitments there are. In the meantime it's very cool to see the relationship you share with your bird. Cheers

[katieclark]

I’m so glad I found your videos. I recently got a Senegal and I am going to tr your techniques:-) excited to try. Thank you!!!

[cockatielnation]

I am inspired to start target training my grey... I have given up too easily in the past... excellent video .

[gospeltractslove]

That's an awesome looking congo, love the light grey silver color.

[jenniferdonth]

You have an amazing human being. I absolutely love watching your videos. The work your doing by informing people is so important. You are so relatable and make such amazing points with clear directions. I really hope more people catch on and see the benefits for them and their pets to have such a happier, healthier relationship. People don't always see or understand it's a shared respect between animal and human, every animal is their own unique individuall as is the human.

[BirdFlow]

The clicker is a must have + knowing how behavior works. Thanks for the video.

[janedoe]

This is the best video I’ve seen on positive reinforcement training. I did want to point out though that negative reinforcement training should never include pain either. Positive reinforcement is adding a stimulus after the desired behaviour, negative reinforcement training is removing a stimulus after the desired behaviour. Example I train horses, when teaching them a forward cue, I’ll tickle their side (where a riders foot would rest) and they try to answer this stimulus in a variety of ways, the second they offer forward, the tickle stops, thus they learn they can stop the tickle by moving forward, the tickle is not in anyway painful or uncomfortable, it is just a question to be answered. Choosing a training method depends heavily on an animals comprehension abilities and how they would educate each other in the wild. From studies I’ve read, parrots and dogs have more intricate communication structures than equines, so positive is far more appropriate for their needs. Cats tend to be, much like horses more reactive to their environments, but due to their independent hunt drive also unresponsive to negative reinforcement. Horses on the other hand as prey animals with a more limited communication range thrive in negative reinforcement training.

[LindaLuxable]

Your love for your pets just warms my heart.

[emmaurban]

Such a great video. It's always good to review the basics. I've been training my pet dogs for 20 years and still don't have the timing down. What I wish you had covered was how you "charge" the clicker. I never liked using the clicker because it was one more thing to hold onto, so I always used words. But, I see how the clicker can be right ON TIME. That is the BIGGEST part (marking the behavior) and where we often fail. I also like how you point out that the treat shouldn't be given at the same time as the click. I am not sure that I got that before.

[RandallClark]

Great vid as always. I rescue unwanted parrots (currently have seven total, 3 quakers, 2 sun conures, 1 cockatiel, and 1 eclectus.) They all came from various levels of horror, from clueless owners, to straight up abuse and abandonment. I was wondering if you could do a video giving parrot rescues a shoutout, not small guys like me, but the big ones that have hundreds of parrots from similar backgrounds. These guys all desperately need loving homes, and can be a good alternative to buying a parrot from a pet shop. Not only are you helping out a desperate situation that is often overlooked, but you can be rescuing a parrot from what could be described as a literal hell on earth. Again, great content, it has been very helpful to me!

[trickster]

That was the best explanation of using a clicker I’ve ever seen!

[Angel-iqou]

I have a green lilac crowned amazon that was neglected in the past. He is 13 years old and I've managed to take him out of the cage. He explores my room and hss been happier since because he has had oppertunities to fly and he hasn't flew in over 10 years. He was really happy butbjust yeasterday he was wanting to fly to me and so he did and clawed my had and got scared so bit me. I ressisted the urge to react and so i stayed silent and it flew back to the top of his cage. He is very scared of sudden movements and noises.

[jennibentley]

I have A African gray and I’ve had him 10 years and Blue front Amazon. We wanted to let you know how inspiring your videos are! Thank you.

[diannesarasin]

Thank you so much for your very interesting and informative videos. I enjoy them all and shortly I will be bringing home a white cap baby Pionus.

[cindykhademi]

Hi, I’m adopting a African Grey Parrot. I am learning so much from your videos. I have also done some research on these birds as you recommended on one of your videos. It’s so wonderful to see how much you love Smoking especially knowing how birds are being neglected and abused. I’m not sure if you made a video of how you make your foraging wood toys. Do you think that sometime in the future that you can show how you make your foraging toys for Smoky? Thank you so much for sharing your videos. I’m enjoying them.

[homeyv]

HI! been using your videos to learn how to train my lovebird! They work quite well! thanks! The biggest problem I have is harness training.