Hi Y’all

I have been talking with some of my good friends and trainers about getting down and dirty with Azaria blue and gold’s training. Hopefully now we are starting to get into more of an schedgule and I’ll be able to keep up with it. So anyway My friend Jeni and I were talking yesterday morning about training and my changing plans to get the optimal response from Azaria as well as what works best for her. The topic of “alternative reinforcers” came up. When Jeni asked what reinforecers I use besides treats I told I told her other then treats and cuddles/scritches….. nothing. She suggested I use something like a special toy or something ther then food that she enjoys. So when I thought about it I idnd’t think of anything that would work. even after reading this article she suggested http://www.clickerdogs.com/createamotivatingtoy.htm I still couldn’t think of what I could use.

So later that day azaria was roaming around on her cage and on the window sill. I haven’t had to lock her in her cage at all except when I leave which is very nice for her. Anyway I came back and she had found her way to the top of her travel cage. I was exactly excited she was on it as she finds irt VERY reinforcing so much that she doesn’t hesitate to chop on me even with the simplest “up” cue and showing her the food reinforcer. So I wanted to get her off without using the handheld perch which she will comply with but hates and is sour with me for the rest of the day. So I looked at the reason for being on the travel so reinforcing to her. I have decided there are many reasons she finds the cage reinforcing but at the paticular moment in time she was chewing/shredding a paper towel. My mind poped back to what Jeni and I were talking about and it dawned on me ALTERNATE REINFORCERS. So I ran across the room grabbed a new paper towel went back to Azaria and waited for her to finnsh shredding. the second she was done I gave the “up” cue and placed my hand between her and the new paper towel I was holding. She had a look of Shock on her face as though she were saying “WHAT THE HECK!!!! I get another paper towel if I comply?” She then stared at me and the new paper towel for a second  and then quickly stepped up! I was so excited! So next time your in a possibly very aversive situation think  something more then the regular food reinforcements.

Expect a new post about my new training plan to get my Macaw Azaria flying and recalling. It is being developed with the help Of my friends Hugh, Dana, Jeni and Raz. You can see Jenis training blog here http://fur-n-feathers-training.blogspot.com/

Have funflying

Peter