Gandalf the Grey

MEET GANDALF THE GREY - AN AFRICAN GREY PARROT

NANCY ACCEPTED THIS PARROT AT NANCY FORRESTERS SECRET GARDEN FOR BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. THIS BIRD FULFILLED A DESIRED TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR HER AND HIS TRAINING INSURED A BETTER FUTURE FOR AN UNADOPTABLE PARROT

GANDALF'S BAD REPUTATION - A CAGEBOUND BITING PARROT

HIS STORY HAS A HAPPY ENDING

GANDALF'S HISTORY
Gandalf's background, his age, sex and most of how he was cared for is unknown.

He has been rehomed more than three times. I met Gandalf around 2017 when he was given to "Big John" proprietor of NY Pasta Garden. John was a beloved friend. I frequented his restaurant. Great people, delicious food and lots of fun with parrots. I and my birds were always welcome there. Some of Johns rehomed parrots (the smaller ones) lived in his home. The larger parrots were displayed uncaged outdoors in his garden restaurant and occasionally they flew away. Luckily, he got them back. For the bird's safety I periodically helped clip their wings and toenails. Gandalf was one of the birds I clipped. I do not remember Gandalf being difficult. On the four or five times that I toweled him, he did not struggle, put up a fight, growl, or seem to carry a grudge. I captured and held the birds while my volunteer clipped. Story has it that he bit "Big John" at the beginning of their relationship and John never handled him again. Gandalf was let out of his cage to exit and enter at will. He spent every day on top of his cage. He was on display in the outdoor garden part of the restaurant. He was never handled or given much individual attention. He and his cage were kept far enough away in the plant beds behind a rope barricade where he could not be touched by the clientele. Living within a few feet of him were three other re-homed African greys Bobo, Emma and Lola and overhead on a wooden gym were two large macaws. All the birds but Gandolf got lavish daily attention and handling. Mid-day when the staff came to work his tarp cover was peeled back and the door to his cage was opened. He entered and exited his cage on his own and spent the days on top of his cage. Apparently, he did not stray off his cage top. He put himself to bed at night by going back inside his cage at sundown. Staff would then close the door and apply the tarp over Gandalf's cage at 2 AM when the restaurant closed. I am not sure if he was labeled a mean bird, but everyone knew not to touch him. Gandalf did not receive much attention, social interaction or stimulation from the public or staff. Shortly before March 2020 (the covid shutdown) the restaurants chapter in all these rehomed bird's lives ended, "Big John" died, and the restaurant changed ownership. John loved the birds, the new owners inherited them but they did not love or care for them correctly. Sadly, they were used as eye candy to attract customers. Complaints led to legal issues and the birds had to be removed from the Pasta Garden. At this point Jake a NY Pasta Garden former staff member became the flock's caregiver. Finding housing in Key West is difficult and Jake was forced to move from apartment to apartment annually. At first, the birds were well housed with him indoors and outdoors but for the last three years they were housed outdoors and for the last two years they were not housed on the same property where Jake their primary caregiver lived. Throughout these many moves Gandalf continued to be in close proximately to the other three African Grey Parrots who always received much more attention because they were socially interactive and easy to handle. I continued to trim their wings and toenails when asked. For the year prior to Gandalf's coming to stay with me, he was kept outdoors in a cage where he was never let out. According to Jake this bird bit him once and he did not handle him again, which is the same story from years before when he was rehomed to "Big John" at NY Pasta Garden. Jake was a loving conscientious caregiver to these multiple birds in the beginning, but things became harder for him when finding affordable housing became very difficult. Jake had a favorite parrot Lola who he clearly favored and intended to keep. Jake and I discussed numerous times his wish to rehome three of the greys. The two friendly ones were easy but we were stymied by the prospects of rehoming Gandalf because of his aggressive behavior.

GANDALF'S REPUTATION AS A CAGEBOUND BIRD

UNDERSTANDING CAGEBOUND BEHAVOR

It is a type of anxiety disorder in parrots, often the result of neglect and the lack of socialization. Parrots develop this issue when they are not let out of the cage frequently or not provided with much needed social interaction or guidance. These birds may become afraid of the world outside the cage. They learn that the cage is a safe sanctuary and can refuse to leave it. This may lead to aggression and attacking anyone attempting to remove them from the cage. This behavior is common among rescue birds. It is very likely that Gandalf suffered this kind of neglect by previous owners. Birds don’t become cage-bound overnight, it results from long periods of neglect.

GANDALFS REPUTATION AS A BITING BIRD
UNDERSTANDING BITING BEHAVIOR

FEAR OF HUMANS OR THE UNKNOWN Parrots can become frightened of something and bite out of impulse. Parrots are good natured & normally not aggressive to one another in the wild or to people when in captivity. Their beaks are used for a variety of functions: preening, eating, climbing, playing and self defense.
AGGRESSION Can be the result of improper care, neglect, territoriality, resource guarding, hormonal fluxes during adolescence or breeding season, stress, lack of mental stimulation, and dominance issues..

RE HOMEING STRESSES PARROTS. THEY NEED A PERIOD OF TIME TO ADJUST TO A NEW ENVIRONMENT. I GAVE GANDALF TIME TO SETTLE IN

It usually takes a parrot a couple of weeks to adjust to a new environment. Everything around Gandalf was new. He was housed inside my house not outside as he had been for a least seven years. He was in a different cage (his old one rusted and fell apart). He was in a room with other caged birds, several unknown to him big birds and two African greys he was accustomed to seeing in the past. The room was frequented by people he did not know who did a variety of tasks that were unfamiliar to him. I positioned his cage near my computer where I work daily so he could get comfortable seeing me at close range. He had new perches and new rope toys, ones that he was familiar with. There was new lighting, new smells, new sounds. new routine, new feeding schedule, improved diet. The Harrisons pellets and the Lafeber's Nutriberries in his 3 PM feeding were the same.

OBSERVATION

DURING HIS INITIAL ADJUSTMENT PERIOD I WATCHED
HIS BEHAVIOR FOR SIGNS OF STRESS
Behavior is anything Gandalf did that was observable - increasing, decreasing or maintaining.

He did not appear to be fearful of anything, not aggressive also not very responsive and nonverbal, He eats well but does not like blueberries. He flings them on the floor. He accepts my service to his cage without aggression. He stays at top of inside cage where he dismantles new but familiar colored rope toys. He did a lot of repetitive beak wiping on his perches. He was devoid of quick movements. He moved about in his cage slowly and deliberately. He stayed at the top portion of the cage. He was silent. Placing his cage near my computer workstation did not seem to frighten him. My behavior towards him was calm including the volume of my spoken words and phrases. He did not seem interested or responsive to me, my words or actions. I did not attempt to touch him; I did not reach inside his cage. Gandolf did not appeared to be a fearful parrot or an aggressive bird. No eye pinning, trembling, lunging or moving away when I approached his cage or changed his food, water or his tray papers. He did not appear to be afraid of the world outside the cage, nor did he appear to be curious about it or desire to interact with the activities around him. Based on his past; I assumed he wanted the cage door to be open so he could climb to the exterior top of his cage and spend the day there like he did for many years at the restaurant, exiting & entering as he pleased. I assumed that once he was out and on top of his cage, I would have difficulty getting him back in the cage. I thought it would lead to resistance, aggression and biting. I thought that it would be traumatic for both of us to get him back in his cage, so I did not allow him to come out. Based on his calm, non-fearful and non-aggressive behavior during the initial two week settling in I decided to begin training him on week three.

ABOUT ME - TRAINER NANCY FORRESTER

I Nancy Forrester have been training birds for ten years, my interest in training began as a result of meeting Lara Joseph of the Animal Behavior Center. Lara visited me and our parrots when she was a Key West annual visitor. I am a long-time grateful member of her Parrot Project. My friend Michele Dodd has had great influence on me. She is an excellent trainer who studied under Barbara Heindrich. Michele has conducted training workshops for the public here in my garden for the benefit of me, my birds and visitors. I am also a member of Jen Cunha's Parrot Kindergarten. I and two of my birds took part in a scientific study the summer of 2023 because of my association with Jen. During the two months period of daily training, I took a video of each bird's session each day, sent the videos for review each day and received directives daily from the researchers. I became a much better trainer when held to scientific norms. The training had its ups and downs. Baby destroyed a Samsung tablet. We hung in there and Baby learned to be gentle wirh the new tablet and tablet holder, Both of my birds Baby and Mr Peaches completed their dot app tasks which made me very proud of them and myself. This experience helped me advanced greatly in my training skills. The results of the study were made public in the New York Times March of 2024. A video of Baby my Hyacinth macaw was one of four parrots chosen to show birds working a special dot app on a Samsung tablet. He was the only macaw and the largest parrot to finish the study. Scientists learned a lot about parrots ability to touch with their tongues different size red and blue dots on a Samsung tablet. I am grateful to have had this opportunity to further science in making a new technical device that is easier for parrots to use when communicating.

TARGET TRAINING

I PLAN TO TRAIN WITH A METHOD CALLED TARGET TRAINING
TARGET TRANING IS FUNDAMENTAL TO ALL BEHAVIOR
IT HELPS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, TRUST BUILDING,
ENRICHMENT AND LEARNING SKILLS.

Targeting” is a training concept which teaches a animal to touch a target (hand/spot/stick) with a part of their body – their beak or foot. Many behaviors we teach our animals are complex, and are broken down into smaller steps, targeting makes it easier to communicate the next step to the bird.

It teaches a parrot to orient a part of their body to touch a certain object to earn a positive reinforcer, a desirable consequence, outcome like treats or high value food rewards or praise and attention. Target training builds trust and positive relationships. It teaches birds how to learn, how to move to various locations, to step up on hand or perch, to transfer, recall, station, accept a new cage, voluntary medical behaviors (scale, towel, syringe, carrier, nose drops, eye drops etc.) It teaches birds to overcome fear of things. It provides an opportunity to learn new skills, to play independently with toys, books, tablets, etc. It teaches a bird to do tricks and play.
It teaches us how to teach.

TRAINING TOOLS

Movable telescoping parrot tote

Moveable treat bowl

Common Clicker

I use one common bone colored plastic chop stick.

Gandalf's Predetermined training reward
walnut pieces

The Clicker I use

Lollipop target trainers

Trainer Nancy Forrester Primary trainer, sole trainer at first.

Trainer Michele Dodd Intermittent trainer throughout 2024 and 2025

Trainer Joe Stahl co- trainer from July 2024 to present.

PREPARATION FOR TARGET TRAINING

I use a white plastic chop stick, a simple clicker, and a pre-determined valued treat. In Gandalf's case it is a piece of food - a walnut. I need a way to deliver treats to him without jeopardizing my fingers. I choose to use a bowl where I could drop treats to avoid the possibility of him biting my fingers. I was able to open his cage and affixed a bowl on the inside of his cage door with no angst or aggression from him. He has breakfast at 9 AM, dinner at 3 PM, so I decided to train him at 2 PM when I thought he would be hungriest for treats. I identified a food treat reinforcer with which to reward him by trying a variety of nut pieces. He did not eat pine nuts and almonds but ate and seemed to like walnuts and pecans equally. I choose to train with walnuts. I cut walnut pieces into two sizes, mostly small with some larger pieces to provide bigger rewards for wanted "break thru" behavior. Training is the only time he received walnuts. I resolved to be very observant of his behavior to be patient and to work at his pace! He does not react to things with quick movements. His behavior or physical movement to all stimuli is the slowest paced of all the birds here. I know that "Labels" are inappropriate when describing animal behavior, but I cannot help thinking he is a "laid back" "stoic" "do nothing" "non motivated parrot", nothing seems to ring his bell. He is nonplused to sounds, movements or exploration. He does like to dismantle soft colored rope toys, and he likes to shred paper when it is in his cage. I imagine that his apparent lack of socialization is probably because he does not know how to interact with humans. Being cage bound for so many years, perhaps all he knows is that humans only show up to shove food and water at him and clean his cage.

GANDALF'S TRAINING BEGAN FEB 2024

Below is a history of my goals, training videos and trainers observations during the 18 months Gandalf was with me.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY THEM AND FIND THE
INFOMATION USEFUL

MY GOAL IS TO TRAIN GANDALF SO THAT WHEN HE GENTLY, TOUCHES THE END OF THE STICK WITH HIS BEAK, A CLICKING SOUND HAPPENS AND A REWARD OR FOOD TREAT IS DELIVERED. I WANT HIM TO LEARN TO TRUST ME, TO GO IN AND OUT OF HIS CAGE WHEN ASKED, TO DEVELOPE AN INTEREST IN THE WORLD OUTSIDE HIS CAGE, TO FEEL COMFORTABLE BEING AWAY FROM HIS CAGE & TO STEP UP ON HAND OR HANDHELD PERCH FOR EASY TRANSPORT

NO CONTACT - TARGET TRAINING BEGAN INDOORS

A FOOD REWARD WAS DECIDED UPON BEFORE TRAINING STARTED

Gandalf's favorite treat was determined prior to the start of training. He was offered a variety of different nut meats. He was not motivated by pistachios & pine nuts. He preferred walnuts & pecans equally. I chose walnuts, training is the only time he will get walnuts.

Safety first, for him and for me. I want no opportunity for biting to occur and no reinforcement of aggressive behavior, I decided to train him in his cage with the door closed and to drop treats (small pieces of walnut) into a bowl inside his cage rather than offer them by hand. I was able to open his cage door and attach a bowl to the inside of the door without incident. He is a big African grey with a long reach.

FIRST LESSON

I BEGAN NO CONTACT TARGET TRAINING WITH THE BIRD IN CAGE, WITH THE CAGE DOOR CLOSED SO AS NOT TO BE BITTEN OR ENCOURAGE BITING BEHAVIOR

TRAINER NANCY FORRESTER Video of Gandalf's very first target training. No contact in the cage target training for our mutual safety because he has a history of biting. The clicker sound is the only audible training sound in the early stages of training. My use of audible words will be added later. I normally train five to seven minutes. This session was much longer because of his interest in engaging with me. I learned a lot about him. He showed continued interest in the walnut food treat.
His feeding behavior was so calm and nonaggressive that I trusted him to take the small walnut treats from my fingertips.

At the end of this session, I uninstalled the treat bowl from his cage door & handed him food treats from my fingertips. Thereafter there was never a problem delivering food rewards by this method.

OBSERVATION

Great first lesson. This session was very long and very repetitive. He was not fearful or aggressive of the training tools, chop stick, clicker, treat bowl and me or my method of delivering treats He was slow to move his body when interacting, moving at a snail's pace. He came forward & chomped the end of the target stick (not a very hard chomp but not a soft touch either). I needed to help him understand that I want a soft touch. I want him to engage with the target stick at all cage entry points on all sides as well as top and bottom portions of the cage. He would only touch the stick if it was entered in the upper half of his cage and with a preference to one side. He did not climb down to engage with the stick when offered anywhere in the lower half of his cage. I entered the stick at different upper cage locations. I maneuvered the stick to encourage a softer touch rather than a chomp; he still chomped. He did a lot of beak wiping on his perch. I was pleasantly surprised at how docile he is.

NEW GOAL-
I ORDERED A LOLLIPOP TARGET STICK TO TRAIN SOFT TOUCHES

When he chomped the chop stick, I ordered a special lollipop target stick with a ball on the end so he could learn to touch the end gently because it is impossible to chomp the ball. This was successful right away and I returned to using a regular chop stick. Many weeks of no contact in cage target training ensued. Most days he engaged with the target stick but only when offered at the upper parts of his cage. It took weeks of repetition for him to be comfortable to touch it when offered at the bottom half of his cage from different sides. Some days he had no interest in training. I did not push him past his comfort level. He is a quick learner but his body movements when going from point A to B are slow including moving towards the target stick. I do not detect any body ailments. In time I felt comfortable to open the door and extend my hand into his cage to do light maintenance. When I had to replace toys or perches I did so when he was out of his cage to avoid any possibility of aggression. It was clear that he was not ready to engage with my hand or a handheld perch. When I offered them, he would either retreat or pushed them away with his beak. When I could target him successfully all over his cage and he learned to touch the stick softly I was ready to start the next phase of training

OBSERVATION - GANDOLF INITIATES SOCIALIZATION WITH ME

Gandalf had a positive reaction to my intense observation of him. He began to pay attention and acknowledge me. He initiated his own vocalization sound (a dull click) to greet me first thing in the morning when I turned the lights on and just before lights out at night. I copied his sound. It became our special greeting, a ritual sound to mark these two times of the day. I looked forward to honoring this contact every day. His interest in trust and socialization was building.

NEW GOAL, WHEN HE BECAME RELIABLE AT TOUCHING THE STICK SOFTLY & FOLLOWING & TOUCHING THE STICK WHEN ENTERED ANYWHERE IN HIS CAGE,
I WAS READY TO OPEN THE DOOR & INVITE HIM TO COME OUT.

I planned to open the door and target train Gandolf to come out of his cage and step onto a wooden dowl which I would somehow attach to his cage. I decided to use a tote perch that I had. This tote perch is shown in the tool section above. It consists of a wooden dowl mounted on a tripod metal stand that is height adjustable. Because of his history of spending days on top of his cage I anticipated he would immediately climb to the top of his cage when the door was opened. He did. I predicted it would be difficult to get him back in his cage. It was. Sadly, I had to use force the first time to get him back in his cage. I used a towel to herd him back in, he fell to the floor. I had to towel him on the floor in order to manually put him back in his cage. This was traumatic for both of us. I was surprised he did nor growl or put up much of a of struggle or hold a grudge as I had expected. It was a setback in our trust account. I resume training in a couple of days. After that incident climbing to the top of his cage became less of an issue. I used a small hand towel to divert his pathway, and it worked. He began to pay more attention to what I was doing with the target stick and treats. Gandalf quickly understood that traveling to the top of the cage got him zero walnut treats.

OBSERVATION

I proceeded at his comfort level. It took patience. He would only venture one foot onto the wooden dowl always keeping the other foot on the cage so he could hurry back to its inside safety. The cage door and tote perch had to be affixed tightly as the slightest movement in them caused him fear and he would immediately retreat into his cage thus ending the training session. The telescoping parrot travel tote, with the narrow plain tan wooden dowel worked best as long as there was zero movement in the dowl or the stand. He will not step on any travel stand if there the slightest movement. My tote perches have different width dowls. He would only accept the dowl with the smaller girth. It took months for this cage bound bird to put both feet on the dowl and then transverse across it.

TIME PASSED - LOTS OF PRACTICE

NEW GOAL, AFTER SUCCESSFULLY TARGETING HIM IN AND OUT OF HIS CAGE UNTO THE TOTE PERCH STAND, THEN FROM ONE STAND TO ANOTHER WHETHER HORIZINALLY ALIGNED OR STACKED END TO END AND WHEN HE ALLOWED HIMSELF TO BE SEPERATED FROM HIS CAGE
I ADDED TWO TRAINERS,
A WOMAN AND A MAN
MICHELE DODD AND JOE STAHL
TO HELP REINFORSE HIS NEWLY LEARNED BEHAVIORS

I wanted Gandalf to have the same "conversation" he was having with me with multiple people because he will be up for adoption. I do not want him to be dependent on me for giving cues for desired behavior.

Some parrots are sensitive to the sex of humans preferring male or female companionship. I had Michele in mind because she visits us frequently and trains similarly. It was my hope to find a man who would agree to help train Gandalf so the parrot could understand that different types of humans can deliver the same "target training" message and verbal prompts. Joe and his wife Shannon were new to Key West. They are awesome parrot caregivers. They came to visit us often, and we have become friends. Then came the hard part, I asked Joe to help train Gandolf and to train the bird "my way or no way". People can be harder to train than parrots. Joe kingly agreed to do that. Joe was willing to follow my instructions. He is very observant, creative, patient and offered much appreciated observations and suggestions. Gandalf made great strides with Joes help. I was his sole trainer for his first six months with the exception of Michele who helped trained him in Feb, July and Sept. when she visited. I wanted the parrot to be trainable by others, to trust others, both men and women and to understand that other people can also deliver "this new language" he is learning to trust and enjoy. Joe Stahl became a trainer of Gandalf at about six months into the birds training. He has been involved in the successful training of Gandolf's training ever since.

THANK YOU MICHELE. YOU HELPED REINFORCE MY TRAINING &
HELPED GANDALF LEARN TO TRUST & TRAIN WITH ANOTHER PERSON

NEW TRAINING GOAL FOR GANDALF. TRAIN WITH MICHELE,
OPEN CAGE DOOR, TRAIN BIRD OUT OF CAGE ONTO PERCH SITUATED NEAR CAGE DOOR & SLOWLY MOVE HIM AWAY FROM HIS CAGE

TRAINER MICHELE DODD
Volunteer Michele comes to Key West from Long Island to help us three times a year. She comes in Feb, July and Sept for 10-day visits. She is an excellent bird Mama and trainer. It is important for Gandalf to learn to trust other people and to understand that the new audible and visual sign language that I have taught him is spoken by others. Michele agreed to train him by using the same prompts & style of delivery that I have established with him, same words, same inflections and same timing. She agreed to discuss and shape new training ideas to help him advance in learning. This video shows Gandalf's soft touching of the ball target stick, and his willingness to be trained by a new trainer, This video is a reminder that the aversive dowel perch can tip when he moves his weight closer to the end. Up until this point in his training the sound of the clicker has been the only sound cue in his training. Michele begins to cue him and reward him with English words. phrases and sentences,

Michele training Gandolf to come out of his cage onto the travel perch using the big ball target stick to slowly move him away from the cage increasing the space between the bird and his cage in small increments. He showed nerviness when separated from his cage. He shows some indication he wanted to get back in his cage as she slowly moves him away.

OBSERVATION - TARGET TRAINING HIM ONTO
THE WOODEN DOWL AFIXED TO A MOVABLE TOTE PERCH

Gandalf is a large heavy bird. If his weight is at the very end of the dowl the tote perch can tip. This movement scares him. I have been moving him away from his cage inch by inch in small increments. Michele is doing the same. She is slowly moving him away from the security of his cage

NEW GOAL TRAIN GANDALF TO STEP FROM ONE PERCH TO ANOTHER USING MULTIPLE PERCHES

Once he was comfortable stepping onto one movable tote perch placed touching the open door of his age and he felt comfortable standing on it and being moved a little away from his cage, the next goal was to arrange three tote stands in various configurations and to target train him to go from stand to stand and then move him further away from his cage and finally move him outside on a tote stand to the back porch.

NEW GOAL - TRAIN BIRD TO BE COMFORTABLE SEPERATED FROM HIS CAGE BY MOVING HIM A LITTLE FURTHER AWAY EACH DAY, DONE IN VERY SMALL INCREMENTS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME TEACHING GANDALF TO BE
COMFORTABLE SEPERATED FROM HIS CAGE

I INTRODUCE A BOOK TO QUELL HIS FEAR OF A TEN FOOT CAGE SEPERATION

GOAL Physically move him away from his cage in small increments using moveable travel perch to distance him from his cage to other places in the room. Do this in small increments over a long period of time, by increasing the distance and duration of time away from his cage,

TRAINER NANCY Once he became comfortable stepping on to the portable stand, It was time to begin to separate him from the safety and proximity of his cage by slowly increasing the distance over time but staying in the same room where he could still see his cage. At first, he came out onto the dowl grabbed the treat and quickly went back inside his cage to eat it. When I noticed how much anxiety cage separation caused him I introduced him to a new stimulus to divert his attention. I showed him The Five Little Pumpkins Halloween board book with its many colors and shapes. It worked. His interest in the book distracted him and helped him get over being nervous when he was away from his cage. As you can see his immediate focus on the book helped.

To help redirect Gandalf's nervousness at being away from his cage. I wanted to engage his mind. I experimented by showing him objects, toys, books, colored legos, blocks, cellphone and bells. Introduction to books worked the beast.

OBSERVATION - GANDALFS CAGE SEPERATION BEHAVIOR

Gandalf is in the same room as his cage. He is about 10 feet from it. He wants to get back to the cage, He is focused on the cafe, he is fluttering his wings, He is displaying fear, trembling and straining as if to fly to it. To redirect his nervous behavior. I have him engage with a book. It helped him quell his fear of separation. He showed immediate interest in the Five Little Pumpkins book. I used a variety of vocal words and prompts in addition to the clicker sound. He moved towards the book, showed interest, followed my finger and beak wiped the perch. His noticeable fear ended.

TRANING CONTINUES - LOTS OF REPITITION

Continued use of multiple perches to practice step up ability inside with perches placed parallel or lined up to train "step up" agility, Continued practice moving Gandalf away from his cage. He is in the same room where his cage is. I am moving him further away from his cage in small in small increments. My plan was to target train him to come out of the cage by opening the door and rigging a perch to step onto I took into account his habit of going to the top of his cage and me having to use force to get him back inside. I rigged a telescoping perch with a simple wooden dowl attached to it by his open cage door and target train him to step on to it. At first he would not get onto the door or the dowl if their was any movement in them. I had to keep the door from the smallest swing and make sure the dowl was screwed on tightly.

THANK YOU TO JOE WHO HELPED REINFORCE MY TRAINING GOALS &
HELPED GANDALF LEARN TO TRUST OTHER PEOPLE

NEW GOAL - JOE TRAINS GANDALF
OPEN CAGE DOOR, TARGET TRAIN BIRD OUT OF CAGE ONTO THE TOTE PERCH
AND THEN CAREFULLY WALK HIM OUTSIDE

TRAINER JOE STAHL Gandalf first goes to the top of his cage, There is a lot going on. The big blue bird is up on the orbiter hanging from the ceiling near him. That does not seem to scare him. Joe targets him down to the tote perch. Notice he keeps one foot on the cage, notice he eats the treat while on the dowl but has one foot on the cage for a speedy retreat if necessary, Joe targets him again, he puts both feet on the dowl, treat follows, Joe moves tote away from cage before he can go back inside which he clearly intends to do. Joe carries him outside on tote at a level to high. After that we carried him much lower so that if he spooked and fell off of the perch his fall was much shorter.

Gandalf fell four times being transported from inside to outside. He learned to stay on the perch after a few falls and a lot of corralling with the tote perch to get him back on it.

OBSERVATION

Joe targets Gandalf out of cage unto perch. He does not want Gandalf to go to top of his cage but he does. Joe successfully targets him down and onto perch, Notice Gandalf gets treated with one foot on perch the other foot still on the cage, Joe targets him further onto stick and then slowly moves him away from cage and successfully walks him outside. Going from inside to outside Gandalf fell off the perch several times. Once because the girth of the wooden dowel was too large for him to grip. Once on the floor it was difficult to retrieve him. He would not get on hand or handheld perch. He had to be toweled or corralled by several people to step up onto the tote dowel when it was offered upside down, these mishaps set training back a day, but the bird soon learned to transport from place to place successfully.

Because he had a long time habit at the restaurant of spending most of his day on top of his cage and coming and going inside and outside at free will, I suspected that when I opened the door of his cage, he would make a bee line for the outside top of his cage and once there it would be difficult to get him back inside, I was correct. This happened and I had to towel him to get him back inside, I had to think of ways to get him out of his cage and not have him immediately climb to the top of his cage and more important to be able to move him away from his cage and then direct him back inside the cage. I used a towel to bock his pathway to the top of his cage, It worked and he stopped trying to go there, This is where target training became invaluable. It took about six months, a lot of repetition and patience to redirect a behavior that he practiced for a least six years. He learned to trust stepping on to it. I target trained him to step on to the wooden dowl attached to the metal stand and practice going back and forth on the stand and then target him back into his cage. He soon became more interested in the training than escaping to the top of his cage.

NEW GOAL When he was well practiced stepping on to and off of the tote perch, going in and out of his cage on cue, transversing multiple tote perches, when he was comfortable in sight of his cage but separated a distance from it and when he accepted training from two new trainers, he was ready for his next adventure, go outside.

OBSERVATION

AN IMPORTANT NOTE - GANDALFS CONFORT LEVEL

THROUGHT THE WHOLE EIGHTEEN MONTHS OF TRAINING GANDALF THE TRAINERS OFFERED OUR HANDS, ARMS AND HANDHELD PERCH FOR STEP UP. HE DECLINED. WE RESPECTED HIM. WE DID NOT PUSH HIM PAST HIS COMFORT LEVEL.
WE REALIZED HE MIGHT NEVER STEP UP ON HAND AND WE AGREED THAT WOULD BE OK. WE AGREED THAT HE WAS SMART, A RELIABLE TRUSTWORTHY LEARNER AND NON AGRESSIVE. WE AGREED HE WAS BECOMING MORE SOCIAL AND HE WAS FUN TO WORK WITH.

OBSERVATION

HE WAS MOVEABLE BY DOWL ON TRIPOD TOTE PERCH ONLY. IT TOOK HIM A YEAR AND SIX MONTHS TO STEP UP ON A HANDHELD PERCH. HE DID THAT SEVERAL TIMES WITH ME BUT MORE READILY WITH JOE MAKING HIS TRANSPORT EASIER.

WHEN TEACHING "STEP UP" WE TRIED ALL SORTS OF HANDHELD PERCHES OR STICKS OF DIFFERENT LENGTHS, GIRTHS, SUBSTANCES, PLASTIC AND TYPES OF WOOD, COLORS AND EVEN TRIED WRAPPPNG THEM IN VET TAPE. HE REFUSED ALL. OCCASIONALLY HE WOULD PUT ONE FOOT ON A PERCH BUT NOT BOTH, HE MADE A MISCALCULATION TWICE, ONCE ENDING UP ON JOES ARM (HE STAYED THERE) ANOTHER TIME HE GOT ON A HANDHELD STICK BY MISTAKE. JOE TOOK HIM FOR A WALK AROUND THE PROPERTY, I TOOK HIS PICTURE, WE MADE A BIG FUSS AND DELIVERED A LOT OF TREATS, IT ENDED UP BEING SCAREY FOR HIM, HE FELL OFF THE STICK CAUSING A SET BACK IN TRAINING.

When he was very well practiced stepping on to and off of a perch, going in and out of his cage on cue transversing multiple tote perches, being comfortable in sight of his cage but separated a long distance from it and accepting training from two new trainers, he was ready for his next adventure, go outdoors

NEW GOAL - BEGIN TRAINING OUTDOORS

INTRODUCE GANDALF TO A NEW TRAINING LOCATION
MOVE HIM ON THE TOTE PERCH FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE TO AN OUTSIDE
SPOT ON THE BACK PORCH

Goal is to move Gandalf outside to train him on back porch, front porch and other spots on the property and take him on garden walkabouts. To practice already learned skills in new locations and introduce new stimuli while on the tote. To give him the opportunity to socialize with families stopping to admire him, dogs passing by, Aldo dancing and trying new hand movements, vocalizations, and cell phone. To give him the opportunity to get used to a big white table and different furniture.

NEW GOAL - INTRODUCTION OF LOTS OF NEW STIMULI

The back porch offered more and different stimuli, socialization with everyday visitors as they pass by and local parrot handler Aldo who visits occasionally and is silly and playful with our parrots. Being outdoors offered an extended time away from his cage and a place where he cannot see it. Outdoors offers new things to observe and explore, like proximity to other uncaged parrots big and small. Planned training for him included practicing his already learned indoor skills in a new location, adding to his perch training, learning body parts especially foot, spin, colors, ring the bell, work with books and walkabouts on the property. I want him to be comfortable perched near a big white table and other outdoor furniture, to learn to step onto table, learn to walk on every part of the table, explore items on the table like food, toys, books, bathwater bowl and target him into a travel carrier for his proposed trip to Wisconsin

TRAINING CONCENTRATED ON REINFORCING LEARNED BEHAVIOR IN THE NEW OUTDOOR VENUE & INTRODUCING HIM TO NEW STIMULII

When walking him outside to the back porch on the tote perch we had several setbacks. Even thought we carried him very slowly he spooked and fell off the perch on to the porch floor. I had failed to train him to step from a floor onto the tote perch, we succeeded in corralling him unto the tote perch. It was not easy. After the third fall he stopped spooking and stayed on the stick. We got better at keeping him aboard the movable tote. He got better at not falling and being corralled off the floor.

TRAINER JOE Gandalf is on the back porch not only away from his inside cage but also out of sight of it, notice he is training well and not showing signs of separation anxiety. Joe is target training Gandalf to travel from one perch to another. Getting comfortable outside will give him an opportunity to explore new people, places, objects, activities and sounds. Notice how one of the tote perches overhangs above the table giving the bird the opportunity to step onto the table in the future, right now that is too big of a step for him. Notice Gandalf is comfortable to eat his treat on his least liked dowl. He has fallen off of it several times because of its fat girth

Use of multiple perches to practice step up ability on back porch with perches placed parallel or lined up to train "step up" agility.

Continue back porch training. Gandalf going from perch to perch whether they are arranged horizontally or end to end.

OBSERVATION

TRAINER JOE When Joe joined the team I noticed Gandalf seemed to prefer training with him and sometimes exhibited sexual behavior towards Joes hand. He drops his wings and wags his tail. We discouraged this sexual behavior by either putting him back in his cage right away or by introducing a new subject (a book, a toy or a walkabout) to redirect his behavior. Joe was usually able to redirect his behavior and resume training.

Gandalf display of sexual behavior towards Joes hand was a minor problem when he first started to train him.

OBSERVATION

TRAINER JOE takes Gandalf on a diversionary walkabout around the property to stop his sexual behavior towards Joes hand. On their walk they visited plants and animals in the garden, said hello to visitors and other parrots. This diversion worked and training continued. All Gandalf's sexual behavior towards Joe was discouraged, it ceased and did not impede further training. This video shows them taking a walk in the garden. Moving him on the tote perch is getting easier with practice.

Thankful that the birds sexual interest was an easily solvable problem, for some parrots it is not.

OBSERVATION

Some prompts get faster action like learning new tricks other prompts are followed by delayed or slow action, perhaps this is a sign of boredom. Gandalf is a quiet parrot. He rarely vocalizes. He does have a repertoire of English words and sentences which are mimicked from his past, these are often revealed after out of cage training when he returns to his cage especially when Joe trains him. I observed that he became more talkative after training sessions with Joe. He began waging his tail during training. Indicating a happy or contented bird. He continuously rubs his beak on wooded perches more than other bird I have known.

TRAINER JOE Joe trains Gandolf twice a week on his days off. Working as a team we train the same way using the same prompts, inflections, timing etc. Joe sets up the travel perch near the door of his cage and clicker trains him unto the dowel on the adjustable travel perch. Joe carries him outside on the travel perch and continues training him outside. We always asked him to step up on hand, arm, or handheld stick. He always refuses. Here Joe encourages him to step up onto his hand. Gandalf politely refuses. He is not pushed past his comfort level. Joe has introduced something Joe calls "beak snug". Gandolf likes having his beak held briefly and only does this with Joe. Continued learning while on the stand. He learned beak snug, a new activity introduced by Joe.

Over time he is becoming more interested in socializing, learning tricks, exploring objects on the nearby table and engaging with toys. Our desire for him to step up on hand or handheld perch remains a primary goal. Trainers agree to use Joe's word "poopie" when Gandalf poops. Joe offers hand and arm to Gandalf often. Sometimes he puts one foot on hand or arm but does not completely step up. Gandalf continues a lot of beak swiping on perch.

NEW GOAL

Teach him to spin, raise right foot to grasp and release target stick raise left foot to grasp and release target stick, drop objects in bowl, differential training, teach colors, red green, teach shapes, offer books.

ALDO VIDEO

OBSERVATION

GANDALFS TRAINING CONTINUES ON THE BACK PORCH

Gandolf become accustomed to going outside on his travel perch. His perch was usually set near a big white table. While his on his dowel perch I wanted him to get used to everything in the new area and all the activities that he witnesses. The travel perch was lowered so he could easily step unto the table. He refused to step unto the table for weeks. When he finally made his first step or misstep onto the table, he got right back on the familiar dowl. It took weeks for him to target onto the table and more weeks to walk to the other end of the table. We slowly added items we hoped would be of interest to him like toys, books and food, and water bowl to bath in.

WING FLUTTER, TALKING, WAGGING TAIL, CLICKING NOISES, LOVES TO CHEW THIN SLICED NATURAL WOOD PIECES & PAPER TOWEL ROLLERS, BROCCOLI, CUT BAMBOO FOLIAGE, RING BELL

SOCIALIZATION
LEARNING TO TRUST AND ENJOY PEOPLE

For Gandalf this is a lesson in socializing. Visitors are admiring Gandalf with bright focused eyes, smiles and gentle words. I want him to be comfortable with human vocalizations and human body movements especially hand movements Here he has up close human attention focused on him when he is out of his cage. He has the opportunity to interact with visitor's while on the stand, sometimes dogs passing by, When Aldo visits Aldo acts silly, he dances, sings, talks, and plays cell phone in order to get a reaction. Gandalf is learning how to react positively to human stimulating behavior.

AN ACCIDENTIAL OCCASION GANDALF ON HANDHELD STICK

AN ACCIDENTIAL OCCURANCE GANDALF ON ARM

TRAINER JOE Gandalf's outside back porch socialization and training continues. Gandalf landed on Joe's arm by mistake and stayed there for a while. Joe does beak snug and dancing. Gandalf responds with a little dancing. Joe asked him to step onto the tote perch and he does. Joe and Aldo are experimenting with vocalizations, silly sounds and hand movements to get a response. Joe does what he call a "beak snug" which Gandolf seems to like, Joe does a fluttering hand movement. Aldo offers "step up" hand, Gandalf refuses. Visitors pass nearby. Volunteer Sean goes by carrying a macaw.

Gandalf is learning how to socialize with humans

OBSERVATIOMS

NEW GOAL

GANDALF IS MOVEABLE WHILE PERCHED ON A WOODEN DOWEL AFIXED TO THE MOVEABLE TOTE

Continue to learn while on movable tote dowl on back porch
He learned beak snug, spin, raise right foot to grasp and release target stick, raise left foot to grasp and release target stick, drop objects in a bowl, differential training, color training red/green, body parts and walkabouts.

OBSERVATIONS

NEW GOAL - TEACH GANDALF HIS BODY PARTS

TRAINER JOE Gandalf is learning his body parts. He has learned to lift one of his feet to grasp and release the target stack. We are continuing to use the clicker sound while adding many English spoken words like the words foot and beak to teach body parts. The word good is synonymous with the clicker sound, which also indicates the bird did the right action and a treat is forth coming.

This lesson is a mix of practicing the already learned behavior of the stepping back and forth on parrell dowls on two tote perches and the beginning of learning his body parts starting with foot.

OBSERVATION

Gandalf is a quick learner when asked to touch with foot and then with the other foot

NEW GOAL - TRAIN GANDALF TO STEP UNTO THE PORCH TABLE
AND ADD FOOD BOWL TO TABLE

Train Gandolf to step off the dowel tote onto the back porch table. I adjusted the level of the dowl so it rested on the table, and he could easily step down on the table. Hopefully the table on the back porch will become a new place to learn and explore

TRAINER JOE. I arranged the telescoping tote perch so that half of its wooden dowl (a good eight inches) laid snuggly on the table top with no possibility of movement. It was very easy for him to step onto the tabletop and then back on the perch. He did not want to and when he finally did, he only ventured a few inches on the surface choosing to get right back on the perch. It took a long time for him to venture the whole width and length of the 6-foot surface. He would advance a few inches per day following the target stick, when he mastered the surface, I increased the stimulus by placing a food bowl on the table for him to explore with food items he was familiar with

Gandalf eating African Gray Pierre's broccoli treats and playing with Baby's little bowl of left over infant pureed green peas baby food. Gandalf is showing no fear of being up close to me and my cell phone. His behavior shows he does not want me to touch him.

OBSERVATION

Gandalf was fearful of the big white table. I started putting my lunch on the table everyday and eating it with him watching nearby from the tote perch. I target trained him to step unto the table, once on the table he made a hasty retreat back onto the dowel. It took a long time to teach him to be comfortable stepping off and on table. It took more time for him to stand and walk on the table, and even more time for him to walk from one side to the other side and end to end. All of this took weeks of patient training.

NEW GOAL- ADD TOYS TO THE TABLE

TRAINER JOE Gandalf does not know what to do with the stacking cups. We trainers need to get creative and figure out what games can be played with them. He can eat out of them, hide something in them, stack and unstack them, count them, identify their color, drop an object into them. Trainers need to add a variety of other things and colorful toys to the tabletop to find out what stimulates him.

OBSERVATION

He had never seen these colorful little cups before, He does not appear to be afraid of them. Other than bite them a little or perhaps unstack them he does not know what to do with them. They are not very stimulating to him.

TRAINER JOE Different food, toys and enrichment objects are placed on the table, in the hopes he will learn to play with them. We tried chewable toys, musical toys, books, cell phone, bathing bowl etc. to see what he might like if any.

OBSERVATION

OBSERVATIONS

GANDALF IS COMFORTABLE ON THE TABLE TO EXPLORE A BOWL OF VEGETABLES

NEW GOAL

Success on Nov 30, 2024, I targeted Gandalf out of his cage onto the moveable tote I carried him to the back porch where he sat on the tote close to me while I ate lunch. I was able to target Gandalf off of the tote dowel onto a long wooden dowl handheld by me and then switched to a shorter wooden dowl, I carried him into the house and put him back in his cage using this short handheld perch. An important accomplishment for us both.

VIDEO Eating food from bowl playing with a small plate of Babys green peas baby food

OBSERVATIONS

NEW GOAL- LOTS OF PRACTIVE ON THE TABLE

Video Gandalf checking out items on the table

OBSERVATIONS

NEW GOAL Seeing if any toys we have ring his bells!

VIDEO. Gandalf checking out some items on the table. We have been putting a large assortment of all kinds of items on the table to see if he is interested in exploring them. He is now comfortable enough on the whole surface of the table to pay attention to these items. He is beginning to interact with some of the items. We are trying to figure out if any of the parrot toys we have interest him.

OBSERVATION

We discover Gandalf really likes to chip up thin slices of 2 x 4 pine wood. He lifted the metal bowl and he picked up the big plastic green ball.

NEW GOAL- TEACH COLORS

TRAINER JOE Adding some higher-level training. Joe is teaching Gandalf colors, introducing him to the color red.

OBSERVATION

NEW GOAL

TRAINER JOE (wearing black hat) and occasional visitor Aldo (wearing blue hat) They are attempting to interest and activate Gandalf with conversation, silly sounds, cell phone music, hand movements and dancing. At times when this sort of stimuli happens Gandalf will end the session with whistles, vocalized English words, phrases, biting his toenails while making clicking sounds and beak wipes.

OBSERVATION
Gandalf responds with a little bouncy dance.

A RARE SIGHT GANDALF LANDED OM THE PORTABLE HAND PERCH BY ACCIDENT, I INSISTED HE GO ON A WALKABOUT AROUND THE PROPERTY WITH JOE

Re-evaluating The Original Goal of moving Gandalf in and out of his cage on hand or movable stick

Gandalf has achieved my goal of stepping up on a handheld stick only with Joe about five times during a span of six months. This is a recent photo of Gandalf going for a walk outfront on a handheld perch by Joe.

OBSERVATIONS
This was a my mistake I pushed him past his comfort level. When they were out front a big noisy truck went by it scared him, he fell to the ground. I was an effort to get him back on tote perch. A lot of angst ensued.

NEW GOAL - PARTY TIME - HANGING OUT TOGETHER

VIDEO Nancy/s birthday Celebration July 29th, 2024.
3: PM Nancy, Michele, Joe, African grey parrots Gandalf and Pierre socializing

African Grey parrot "Pierre"

OBSERVATION

MORE BIRTHDAY PARTY

TRAINER JOE WITH MICHELE & NANCY CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAYS Bird Mamas are celebrating their birthdays which are just a day apart July 28 and July29. Having fun with bubbly and goofing off with the greys Gandalf and Pierre.

Gandalf celebrates our birthdays with a little flutter dance. Joe calls this move "Jazz Wings"

OBSERVATION

NEW GOAL - MICHELE TEACHES GANDALF TO SPIM

TRAINER MICHELE Further enrichment for Gandalf. Michele trains Gandolf to spin
(Michele, Joe and Nancy take turns)

IMPORTANT OBSERVATION

THROUGH OUT HIS EIGHTEEN MONTHS OF TRAINING WITH ME, WE OFFERED OUR HANDS, ARMS AND HANDHELD PERCH FOR STEP UP. AS WELL AS USING THE AUDILE COMMAND "STEP UP"
HE DECLINED. WE RESPECTED HIS NO CONSEMT COMMUNICATION
WE DID NOT PUSH HIM PAST HIS COMFORT LEVEL

HE BECAME MOVEABLE BY WOODEN DOWL ATTACHED TO THE TRIPOD TOTE PERCH
TOWARDS THE END OF HIS TIME HERE HE BEGAN TO OCCASIONALLY STEP UP ON A HANDHELD PERCH MOSTLY FOR TRAINER JOE & A FEW TIMES FOR ME. I USED A SHORT MANSANITA WOODEN PERCH WITH A BRANCH BECAUSE THAT BRANCH KEPT HIM FROM TRAVELING TOWARDS MY HAND AND POTENTIALLY BITING ME. IF HE MASTERS THE STEP UP ON MOVALE HANDHELD STICK HIS TRANSPORT WILL RECOME MUCH EASIER.

OBSERVATION

Continued asking for "STEP UPS" on hand and on all perches whether handheld or not. Practice, Practice, Practice! Gandalf giving the perch "the evil eye"

We tried handheld perches of different lengths, different materials, different textures, different colors, different circumferences including vet wrapped and held by the hands of different people.

NEW GOAL - GANDALF'S ADVENTURE ON THE TABLE WITH A SHALLOW WATER BOWL

TRAINER JOE Recently I have noticed two changes in Gandalf. He has more dander than usual and although I did not see him splashing in the water bowl in his cage. I have discovered water all over the floor on at least three occasions indicating he was sloshing water in his water bowl. I hoped this meant he wanted a bath, so I put water in a short rimmed shallow wide white bowl that I bought especially for him. I placed it on the outdoor table that he has learned to be comfortable on. Joe and Shannon and I had a lot of fun watching his playful and vocal reaction to Joes hand splashing in the water bowl. His body movements were quickened for the first time.

Gandalf's reaction to Joes splashing water at him is very animated, happy and playful. He makes sounds on the table. There are little wood chips everywhere. Gandalf has pulverized his favorite toys which are thin slices of 2 x 4 non pressurized treated pine.

OBSERVATION

Sometimes when you plan activities for a bird it turns out better than you expected. This was so gratifying. As evidenced by the video he is clearly enjoying himself.

A FIRST - HUGE SUCCESS DECEMBER 8 2024

Gandalf steps up onto a handheld wooden mansanita perch. Trainer Joe opened the door of his cage put the handheld perch inside his cage and said "step up". Gandalf stepped off his inside perch unto the stick. Joe then carried him outside. I am jumping for joy.

NEW GOAL - GANDOLF MEETS HIS NEW TRAVEL CAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME
Gandalf walks into his brand-new travel cage for his long car ride to Wisconsin.

TRAINER JOE Introduced Gandalf to his new travel cage for his car ride to Wisconsin. Gandalf had not seen this cage before. Joe put the cage on the table, Joe put Gandalf on the table, Joe and I observed him for about 15 minutes with no directives on our part. I planned to use target training to direct him into the cage, I thought this would take several days. Gandalf showed no signs of fear of the cage. Rather he seemed curious and moved closer to it. He stepped into the cage on his own. He was inside in less than 15 minutes. He was comfortable inside and comfortable with the door opening and closing. He was comfortable with the set up and the objects in the cage. He practiced going in and out on his own.

BIG SURPRISE!
GANDALF WALKS OVER AND STEPS UP EASILY INTO HIS NEW TRAVEL CAGE
FOR HIS CAR RIDE TO WISCONSON.

OBSERVATION
NO SIGNS OF FEAR OF THE CAGE

TRAINER JOE Gandalf's positive fearless cooperative behavior is the result of months of target training and the ability of the bird to develop trust in humans.

OBSERVATION
30 MINUTES AFTER BEING INTRODUCED TO HIS NEW TRAVEL CAGE
GANDALF IS LOOKING COMFORTABLE STANDING ON THE FLOOR GRATE

TRAINER JOE

OBSERVATION
35 MINUTES AFTER BEING INTRODUCED TO HIS NEW TRAVEL CAGE
GANDALF IS USING THE PERCHES AND LOOKING COMFORTABLE ON THEM

TRAINER JOE

OBSERVATION

Gandalfs past abuse is an ingredient of the present but not a recipe for future behavior. All animals at the base level are moving towards something they want or movimg away from something they do not want. We want our birds to choose to interact with and explore new environmental stimuli because they want to not because they have to. We want to respect our bird's choice not to interact with environment stimuli when their body language indicates escape or aggressive behavior to things in the environment that may influence them. Repetition builds confidence safety, redirection, and de-escalates frustration.

I was Gandalf's sole trainer for the first 6 months of his training, with the exception of Michele Dodd who trained him several times when she visited Key West on her annual trips from Long Island. Joe Stahl and I co-trained Gandalf the last six months. He now enjoys coming out for lessons or to play on the movable tote or table. He no longer suffers from cage separation anxiety. He still has no incentive to step on a hand handheld stick. He refuses to step up on a human hand and has only recently targeted onto a handheld perch several times with Joe. I was able to target him once onto a long tan wooden dowl I was holding. He refuses the short tan wooden dowl if I am holding it. I am rethinking preferential training with treats. I am trying to think of ways to help him advance. I am back to basics. Determining if walnut is still a favorite treat. Cutting back on treats. Making sure he is hungry when I train, Giving larger treats for desired behavior.
Presenting my human hand close to him in various positions, palm open, palm up, palm down, doing flutter motion, offering food in palm of hand, offering food on arm, offering food on handheld stick, trying cheese, broccoli, safflower seed, different crackers.

THIS STORY HAS A HAPPY ENDING

TRAINER JOE ADOPTED GANDALF AND HE NOW LIVES IN WISCONCIN WITH JOE AND SHANNON AND THEIR TWO PARROTS. HE FAIRED WELL ON THE 18 HOUR CAR RIDE UP NORTH; HE HAD NO SIGNS OF MOTION SICKNESS WHICH AFFECTS SOME TRAVELING BIRDS. WHEN YOU TRAIN A PARROT A VERY SPECIAL BOND OF TRUST DEVELOPES. I LOVE AND MISS HIM. I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT HE IS IN A LOVING FOREVER HOME WITH TRAINER JOE AND IN A PARROT SAVVY FAMILY. GANDALF IS A GEM.

P.S.

GANDALF IS A GREAT BIRD
HE WAS DELIGHTFUL TO TRAIN
HE DID NOT BITE OR ATTEMPT TO BITE ANYONE WHILE AT
NANCY FORRESTERS SECRET GARDEN

GANDALF​

GANDALF