Many of us want to take our parrot out with us on an adventure. The thought comes to us easily, but in reality, if we simply jumped at our urges you would see even more lost parrots on the lists and in the newspapers. You could pop your pal into a carrier and be off, or you could employ the use of a harness. Great idea, you say...but the reality of it is that putting a harness on a parrot can be a lot like saddling up your local cougar. Suddenly the beak becomes fangs and you have been dissuaded from this idea by your former best buddy.
I use a harness on my umbrella cockatoo, Siva, when we leave the confines of the house and enter the wilds outside of our door. All in all I have had three harnesses for him, two of which reside now at the Oasis Sanctuary as part of my in-kind (get it out of here) donation.
The first was a cat harness that I managed to modify for him and which he hated. It was one you can see at your local pet shop for tiny dogs or cats. It was too large, full of metal clips and nearly impossible to attempt to put on an angry cockatoo. It was far too heavy and bulky and the metal clips were delicious, had they been swallowed. The second was beautiful to look at but required that I pull the loop over Siva's head. This was not only something he would simply not tolerate, but was awkward for him, to say the least, and was difficult to pull on and off due to his crest, fear and impatience. It took Siva less than five minutes to remove the buckle from this harness. The third and final harness was one which clipped around the neck and under each wing. I was certain that Siva would need a large harness, but was assured by the seller that Siva would need a medium. Being stubborn, I ordered a large for my gigantic friend, only to find it enormous. They were happy to take it back and more than willing to replace it quickly with the medium. They were kind enough not to relay an "I told you so" back at me.
Training a parrot to wear a harness would be something I would want to put a great deal of thought into before setting out to do it. It is imperative that one be able to handle his or her parrot before attempting to train . It is preferable that you be able to handle the area under the wings. In any training situation one needs to focus full attention on the parrot using a kind of tunnel vision while maintaining a sensitivity to the bird's emotions, while relieving them of any fears. Training needs to be done in stages, always ending each session on a positive note, and as Sally Blanchard often suggests, in a neutral room.
I decided to use my studio, far from his cage, where I work with each of the birds. Siva is very aware that this is where we learn, work and in the afternoons, often play. It is important that the bird know his commands. Useful in any training program is positive reinforcement, assurance of well being and safety and "no", as well as step up and down commands.
We began by taking the harness, showing it to him and letting him investigate it while I held it. With assurance, "it's okay", said in a gentle manner, the neck strap was placed around his neck without clipping it. This was followed by "good boy" when he was compliant. We did this several times before I attempted to attach the neck clip. Of course he was rather fascinated with the metal clip, but more so with the leash that hung down in front of his t-stand. When he attempted to beak me while I was fastening the clip, I responded with a stern "no", followed by "good boy" when he stopped. As I am able to lift his wings, I asked him to lift them and got no response from him. I then lifted one at a time clipping under the wings, following the procedure above if biting occurred. It was on and Siva was rewarded with much praise. Flattery will get you everywhere with him. We left it on for a few minutes then removed it, again with praise. I repeated this two or three more times and then we ended the session.
Each day I would repeat this only adding that he step up onto my arm while I held the leash in my hand. We would parade about the studio for an increasing amount of time daily, with praise, until this became fun. At the beginning Siva mauled the leash, leaving it less than beautiful, but still very functional. Once he was comfortable in the studio in his harness, we began taking short walks outside. Walk time was increased as he became more at ease and finally the harness was used whenever we would go outside to avoid fly aways or him being swept up in a desert wind or dust devil.
He now associates the harness with a "bye bye" or trip outside, a neighborhood walk, and helps me put it on by lifting his wings. It has become a normal event in the course of his day and a positive experience for both of us.
All birds are not as easy as Siva and may take more time and far more patience. Many people in our instantly gratified society give up too quickly when the bird shows the least bit of resistance to a new idea. Persistence and patience make things happen and the parrot needs to know that you are serious about what you want of them and that you are in charge. This of course needs to be conveyed kindly and calmly always.
All birds are not umbrella cockatoos. The needs of the cockatoo with it's accurate mechanical skills far exceeds the needs of some of the other parrots. I would not necessarily opt for the same harness for my Congo grey or Amazon.
There are a number of harnesses on the market, advertised in the bird magazines and if you are as lucky as we are, carried in some of the better bird supply stores. Below are some of the makers of the more popular harnesses. I have spoken to people from all three companies and have written comments below based on those conversations.
Charlie Macaw Bird Companion Wear has eight sizes of harnesses ranging in price from $19.95 to $28.50, including shipping. Soon they will add yet another harness for budgies. The harness is fastened with one heavy duty plastic clip and is guaranteed for 30 days free repair for any damage your bird may inflict to it. Rather than simply fixing the harness, the maker will adapt the harness to avoid further breakage, compensating on the design wherever necessary. They were most helpful and told me how they would put on the harness. They set the bird on their knee, hold the back of the head in a parrot grip and slip the harness over the head. Then the strap goes behind the wings and clips together. The clip can be rotated to any position around the bird that you choose. With the exception of the cockatiel and conure sizes the harness is fully adjustable. It is also possible to design a custom harness for your bird as she is open to new ideas.
The Fred Bird Company 's harnesses come in six sizes from x-tra small to large, fitting budgies to hyacinths. The x-tra small is different from the others necessitated by the size of the birds. These harnesses are the most lightweight, having the least metal parts, which include one D-ring and a buckle, similar to a belt buckle. The owner of Fred Bird Company says that his company has conducted a safety study which included fifty birds. This harness slips over the head of the parrot. The leash is connected to the D-ring at the chest. The company includes safety tips with the sale of the harness. These harnesses range in price from $14.95 to $23.
Premier Pet Products makes a harnesses called the Feather Tether and sold only through dealers. They are a small husband and wife team who also make humane dog products sold through veterinarians. The harness designs differ with the size of the bird. The petite size uses a black plastic quick snap for smaller birds. The small size uses light snaps on the leash and harness and the mediums and large use heavy duty "baby bolts". The harnesses are fully adjustable for a comfortable fit. These harnesses are clipped together around the neck rather than pulled over the head and then clipped under the wings. Custom orders are available.
All three of the companies supply the customer with excellent directions for use with the purchase of the items.
A word of caution needs to be added here. An unclipped bird is always at risk. A bird on the shoulder is taking a chance at a facial bite and permanent scarring for the human. Using any product necessitates the use of common sense. Most of all know your bird, work with your bird and think of safety first when you take your bird outside.
So, buckle up out there rather than let your bird be swept away in the moment.
Winged Wisdom Note: Su Egen lives with four parrots including Siva, an umbrella cockatoo, who has not only
http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww25e.htm
Harness Training Your Pet Bird
WARNINGS:
Always teach your bird to use the harness indoors prior to using your bird harness outdoors.
Bird harnesses are intended for use when taking your bird outside. They should never be used to leave your bird outside unattened or used inside to keep on a perch.
Never tie your bird to his perch with the bird harness. He may become startled and panic causing injury or death.
Always check to see that your bird is able to breathe easily while in the harness. You should be able to slip a finger between the harness strap and the bird's body.
It is strongly recommended that your bird's wings are clipped prior to taking it outside.
Do not attempt harness training your with a color of harness that your bird demonstrates fear of.
Make sure to keep harness wearing experiences overwhelmingly positive so that your bird does not start to associate wearing the harness with trips to the veterinarian or other stressful situations.
Training your pet bird to accept a harness can open up a world of fun opportunities and socialization possibilities for you and your pet. Before you start harness training your parrot learn which treats that your bird enjoys the most. Generally something small that can be eaten quickly works well to assist in training sessions. Enthusiastic verbal praise and "scritches" in favorite places also are great reinforcers to training your bird. Next, figure out a consistent time when you can devote 10-15 minutes to harness training your bird each day. Keep the training sessions short so your bird does not tire and so the sessions remain positive.
To make training fun, start and end each training session with a short playtime. Some parrots will become comfortable with the harness within a matter of weeks while others take longer.
HELPFUL TIPS:
Choose a bird harness color that your parrot likes. If you are not sure, choose a color that is in your bird's feathers.
Prior to teaching harness acceptance, make sure your bird allows you to manipulate it's wings. You can train your bird to tolerate touching of it's wings by offering it treats when it allows you to touch it's wings.
Know the signs that your bird gives you when it is tiring. Some bird's bite, others stop cooperating.
Know the signs that your bird gives you when it is becoming scared.
Keep harness training sessions short.
Pick a consitent time to practice, preferably on a daily basis.
ALWAYS remain positive during harness training sessions.
1. Place your bird on a training stand or a place where it feels comfortable and can be attentive. Place the harness in your hand, hiding most of it. Show your bird a small amount of the harness. When the bird reaches out for the harness, move it slightly away making a hide and seek game out of the session. Immediately praise your bird and reward it with a treat for showing curiousity toward the harness. Repeat this process several times, praising and rewarding each time.
2. After your bird has shown consistent curiosity of the harness, allow it to touch or "beak" the bird harness for short periods of time. Generously praise and reward. Continue showing your parrot more of the harness, timing the experience so your bird remains curious and comfortable. If your bird pulls on the harness, let it slip a little from your hand, but not so much that the bird is startled. The long leash may look like a snake or a predator to your bird so take this phase slowly. Reward each progressive step generously.
3. Continue with partially hiding the harness until your bird is comfortable touching it. You will want to raise your bird's curiousity about the harness until the bird feels comfortable with the harness being in close proximity to it's body. Always reward each step of progress generously. Stop on a positive note. Make a game of your bird's natural curiousity to speed learning.
4. Lay the entire bird harness out for your bird to see. Undo the clips. Let your bird become familiar with the sound of the clips snapping together. When your bird is comfortable with the harneses appearance and sounds, slip the head portion of the harness on. Reward the bird for allowing the harness over its head. Further, reward the bird when it allows the harness to be removed. If your bird becomes fearful, make sure you end the training session on a positive note. Praise each progressive step generously.
5. Once your bird feels comfortable with the harness over it's head, continue with allowing the harness to be placed over the birds back and around the wings. Generously praise this next step of progress.
6. When your bird is comfortable with you manuevering it's wings, move to the next step of clipping the harness in place. Again, reward with verbal praise and treats at each new step.
7. Observe how the harness fits and slowly adjust it to an appropriate fit. Allow your bird to observe you working with the clips and hear them clicking open and shut.
7. Once your bird is comfortable with having the harness placed on more than one part of its body, try closing one of the clips. Open it up quickly and remove the harness. DO NOT allow the bird to become frightened by the harness. Praise the bird for cooperation and reassure it when fearful.
8. Once your bird is comfortable with having the harness clipped on, leave it on for longer and longer periods of time. Start slowly, possibly 30 seconds, then remove the harness before the bird becomes aggitated. Praise each progressive step generously.
9. Once your bird tolerates the harness left in place for a few minutes, work toward having it completely clipped in place with the leash part attached. Slowly increase the time the harness is left on.
10. Once your bird tolerates the bird harness on for approximately 5 minute segments, begin moving the bird about the house. Make sure the feels tolerates wearing the harness in new situations prior to taking it outside in the harness.
11. Make sure that your bird is exposed to wearing the harness on a regular basis in order to maintain the training.
Click Here for Feather Tether Bird Harnesses.
http://www.birdsupplies.com/page.asp?id=3