Pet Adventure Blog - Cascadian Nomads

Flight Harness: Training Away Fear By Encouraging Choice | Positive Pet Training Blog Hop

4/7/2014

Leo meets his new flight harness...

...and he is curious about it.

Typist: Bethany
For our upcoming road trip to Phoenix, I have started to get Leo used to his new Aviator Flight Harness for parrots. Leo has never had much fear of new things. It is usually easy to get this cockatoo used to something different. But familiarizing Leo to his flight harness is unlike teaching him to accept a new picture hanging near his tree or changing the placement of his cage. I don't want Leo to simply tolerate or grow to accept his flight harness. I want him to truly like it.

I first introduced Leo to his flight harness during a very laid back moment. I praised and rewarded him for his curiosity about the new object. I think Leo learned that I wanted him to like his flight harness a little too quickly because later that day he managed to grab his harness from the shelf near his cage. By the time I noticed Leo had the harness, he had chewed through one of the straps. This was a difficult training moment because I wasn't happy about the wrecked harness. Still, I praised him for his curiosity. Then I ordered another harness.

Leo was a little too curious about his harness.

Day two of Leo's Flight Harness Training.

Leo worked to get closer to his flight harness.

I continued to praise and reward Leo's curious initiative.

Since Leo loves to be outside, I know that as soon as he learns that the flight harness means not only more time outside but also more freedom outside, he will like the harness. The flight harness has been coming everywhere with us; in the yard, in the stroller and in the car. Leo is definitely more open to new experiences when we are out and about.

Leo is safely on my hand in the yard while I sport the flight harness.

Huxley wants in on the training as I praise and reward Leo for enjoying time near his flight harness.

All of the Cascadian Nomads out for a walk- the flight harness too!

Leo and the flight harness in the stroller.

Leo and the flight harness in the car.

Perhaps the most effective way we have desensitized Leo to many things is by showing the rest of his flock enjoying whatever it is he doesn't like. I first discovered that Leo learned this way when he asked to have his nails trimmed after watching me trim the dogs and cats nails. So Jason and I have been wearing the flight harness around the house. We have put on a show for Leo about how much fun putting on and taking off the flight harness can be. All three dogs have helped out with the flight harness training too.

Huxley.

Brychwyn.

Wilhelm.

Leo seems to have come to know the flight harness as a part of his everyday life. The next step in our training is for Leo to allow the flight harness on his body. I want him to decide how and when that will happen. I give him opportunities to get closer to his flight harness that might involve him putting his head through a loop of it or having it on his back. So far he has not volunteered these actions but I praise and reward even the tiniest movement towards the goal. If Leo makes the decision to eventually wear his flight harness, it's fun, positive training as well as something he'll enjoy for years to come.

It is Leo's idea to reach...

...for his flight harness.

Leo backed away slightly from this loop (while still making kissing sounds.) I moved the loop back then praised him for moving towards the flight harness again.

Leo leans in to give his harness kisses.

How do you help your pet get used to something new?

A to Z Challenge: Saturday was E for Each: Spending Special Time With Each Pet In A Multiple Pet Household tomorrow G is for Ginger: Wilhelm Learns More About The Famous Treatoholic of Ginger's Treats

Thank you for joining Cascadian Nomads, Dachshund Nola & Tenacious Little Terrier for the first Monday Positive Pet Training Blog Hop. Each month, bloggers and readers share and learn about positive pet training techniques, tools, frustrations and triumphs. Please join us next month, Monday, May 5th, with posts and stories about positive based training with any pets.

26 Comments

Taryn link

4/6/2014 09:05:40 pm

I love this post. I would never think about training a bird in a similar way to a dog. Funny to see a picture of the whole gang out for a walk with Leo in his box. Years ago, a friend of ours had a small parrot (still does) that he would take places with him. He kept her flight feathers clipped but I guess this time not enough. He was actually riding his bicylce with the bird on his shoulder (stupid risk I think and it was). Maybe he was going too fast or a puff of wind hit them wrong, but the bird caught air and flew off, straight into the lake they were passing! Our friend had to make a mad dash into the lake to save his bird from sinking/drowning! Fortunately, it was a shallow lake and he got there in time! Your box is a really great safety device!

Bethany

4/7/2014 12:08:34 am

Positive pet training is positive pet training- dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, parrots, etc! I didn't specifically say in the post that this is shaping Leo to like his flight harness but it is! Same as with dogs.

While I never rode a bicycle with Bobbie on my shoulder, in retrospect I took a lot of stupid risks with him! Leo's flight feathers are clipped and will remain that way (I know too many people whose birds have been injured or killed inside the house.) Even with clipped wings, Leo gets a lot of lift and has not been able to spend time on the ground outside in many years. Because of being able to travel in his box and issues I had with other commercial flight suits, I never thought I'd train Leo to be on a leash. Also like dogs, it would have been easier to train Leo to love his flight harness when he was baby but it is never too late to train!

Molly The Wally link

4/6/2014 09:13:03 pm

You are very patient and we can see it pays off. That is such a cute pic of Leo kissing the harness. Can't wait to see him using it. Have a marvellous Monday.
Best wishes Molly

Bethany

4/7/2014 12:11:02 am

That's nice of you to say Molly. Training, especially with a parrot, does take a lot of patience. It will indeed all be worth it when Leo can easily hike in the desert with us!

Reilly & Denny

4/6/2014 11:09:21 pm

What a wonderful idea - we sure hope Leo will enjoy his flight harness and have lots of fun outside

Bethany

4/7/2014 12:13:51 am

I hope so too! This harness seems safer and more comfortable than anything marketed before. If Leo learns to love it we will have many years of safe fun outside ahead!

Rory link

4/7/2014 12:15:36 am

All of your pets are gorgeous, but I am in love with Brychwyn. My neighbor has two rescue birds that hang out on her porch in good weather, so I am learning that birds have very strong personalities.

I love your statement above about Leo needing help adjusting to a new picture by his cage. Absolutely I can see that. I hope he accepts the flight harness. Such amazing lives you live with your brood.

Bethany

4/7/2014 12:19:46 am

Thank you Rory. Brychwyn likes to be the center of attention so he'll be glad he is your favorite! :) Birds are such amazing little characters, it's true. Leo and I are very lucky to have found one another since he is so accepting of change (for a parrot) and I am constantly mixing things up!

SlimDoggy link

4/7/2014 02:01:35 am

Interesting read - not having birds, I would never think about stuff like this. Love how you're going about training him. Can't wait to see him with it on and flying around...will he fly with it on?

Bethany

4/12/2014 05:47:29 pm

Leo's flight feathers are clipped and will remain that way. I think life in a house is too dangerous with flight. But I hope that Leo will get more exercise being able to safely walk around outside. Non-captive cockatoos spend most of their day foraging on the ground!

Marquie link

4/7/2014 04:58:52 am

This post fascinated me. I knew positive pet training could be used on any pet, but it was still neat and interesting to see it being applied to a pet other than a dog or cat. You are very patient. I need to be a little more patient and possibly do this with Petal and her harnesses. She's never been a big fan of them even though nothing but good things come from her wearing them. I never would've thought to encourage her to choose to wear her harness. Thanks for sharing!

Also, I love the picture of Leo kissing his harness. SO cute!

Bethany

4/12/2014 05:51:54 pm

Thank you, Marquie, but I fear I am not as patient as you believe... I also thought Wilhelm would grow to understand his harness meant big fun but he hated more and more and I gave up. So he no longer wears a harness except to buckle in the car and over a coat. Wilhelm doesn't pull on his leash, though, so wearing a harness on walks was more a matter of convenience than health for him.

Tenacious Little Terrier link

4/7/2014 08:51:50 am

It's adorable that your whole household is modeling the harness for Leo's sake. Not that either of the dogs mind wearing harnesses or coats but I've never thought of trying it on me lol.

Bethany

4/12/2014 05:53:02 pm

No offense, April, but your dogs coats and harnesses are WAY too small for you! :)

Rachel Sheppard link

4/7/2014 09:50:40 am

Seems like your pets have it the best!

Bethany

4/12/2014 05:53:44 pm

I certainly try my best. Thank you for your comment.

Dachshund Nola link

4/7/2014 10:13:01 am

This is such a cool post!
Amanda

Bethany

4/12/2014 05:54:50 pm

Thank you! I think it is wonderful to share knowledge about positive training for all species of pets.

KB link

4/7/2014 01:36:32 pm

It seems like, for all our pet species, giving the pet the choice is a key element in helping them get over fears of any kind. I loved this post!

Bethany

4/12/2014 05:56:11 pm

It's true! Positive training and choice works for all pets (and humans too!!) Thanks for joining the hop again this month.

wallace & samuel link

4/7/2014 03:47:47 pm

That is just fascinating - we had no idea such a thing even existed.
Wally & Sammy

Bethany

4/12/2014 05:57:22 pm

I am so glad that parrot people have improved on the old fashioned flight suit. Who knows what will be next! But if Leo is happy about new things, he'll be ready.

weliveinaflat link

4/9/2014 12:23:03 am

It will be interesting to see Leo and the harness in action ;)

Bethany

4/12/2014 05:58:14 pm

With so many fans awaiting the results, Leo has gotta love that harness, right?

Kali link

4/10/2014 05:55:39 pm

This is awesome! Looking forward to see you progress in the training!

Bethany

4/12/2014 05:59:13 pm

Thank you, Kali. I think a photo of Leo in his harness at the Grand Canyon in May will be a pretty nice reward... fingers crossed!

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Cascadian Nomads
Pet Adventurers

Cascadian Nomads adventurous dogs and parrot with pet and travel blogger, Bethany Clochard.

Cascadian Nomads canines and psittacine on a road trip with blogger Bethany Clochard.

Pet travel blogger Bethany Clochard shares a lifetime of budget travel experience, camping, and enjoying outdoors & Pacific NW adventures with pets. She currently hits the road with three dogs, a cockatoo & a cat.

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