For the past Trick Trainings that Kiki learned, I used to believe in the usual method of the PRT (Positive Reinforcement Training), by holding the treats to lure them to do certain behaviour, to be the most effective way to train them. But soon, I noticed I have to correct this statement. Especially when training them in performing Advanced Trick which involve several steps chaining together. Holding treats as cue to lure them to do certain actions can be a big mistake.

I notice whenever I do my fingers (where index fingers and thumb together) in the manner where I’m holding a treat, Kiki will be lured over to both my fingers. Many might ask what’s wrong about luring her to the fingers? They don’t see any big issue to that. But I foresee many possible problems ahead:

Problem 1:
Kiki may thought there’s treat within my fingers and lured over. She may start with some nip to “dig” out any possible treat within my fingers (where there isn’t any in this scenarios). Trust me birds are different from human beings, I’m not saying that they are really stupid and dumb, but just that recognize certain distinct hand or verbal cues for certain things. Like Kiki, she already recognized this as a kind of hand-cue for treats. So whenever she sees this and start “digging” out the treat within my fingers and find out there isn’t any, this might stress her up and I’m asking for a nasty bite from her. I’ve encountered that couple of times when she failed to get what she wants. I think in a long run might not bring any good for Kiki. I believed that might be the possible cause which contributes to Kiki’s recent nippy behaviour.

Problem 2:
There are really disadvantage by holding treats in our hands. Like the past trainings that I did for Kiki, I noticed she’s more willing to “dig” out the treat from my fingers rather than paying attentions in completing the actions that I cued for. It does affect the performance and the attention given during the training session, especially when teaching introducing new tricks.

I soon come across knowing about Target Training from a few animal taming books (like about Dogs and also Parrots of course). Many might asked what is Target Training aka Targeting? Targeting is believe to be the most useful behaviour and the most basic foundation skill a parrot bird must learn. Targeting actually saying that your bird will follow the target and touch it that you ask for. The target can be anything, a stick or a pen, as long it can serve as a pointer. Make sure that this item that you used as a target stick must be unique and never be left to allow your bird to play freely, this will defeat its purpose. Do take note!

I started my Target Training for Kiki yesterday. I DIYed a special stick (actually just a normal stick with green tape at the stick so Kiki won’t be confuse with normal dowel poles) as my target stick. I held the stick in front of Kiki and asked her to “touch”. Whenever her tongue touched the stick, I praise and reward her. If she tried to chew on it, I will quickly remove it and added with a firm “NO”. In fact, Target Training is like a very basic treat, Kiki managed to understand with 5mins. Touch the stick = Reward. But I just don’t stop the Target Training after 5 minutes, I continued to train her for a few more sessions. The objective is to drill the idea of touching the target stick to get the reward deep into her thoughts.

After the Target Training, I started to try out the effectiveness of my target stick. I was totally amazed by the effectiveness of the target stick, Kiki never hesitate going to the location that I point with my target stick. She even touched the purple toy car (that she afraid all the while) that I pointed with my target stick instantly. In my opinion, Target Training is definitely an effective alternative not only to introduce an unfamiliar prop or object, teaching new behaviors and tricks, but also an indispensable way in the bird’s taming process.