TARGET TRAINING
DEFINATION OF TARGET OR CLICKER TRAINING
Targeting” is a training concept which teaches a parrot to touch a target (hand/spot/stick) with a part of their body – their beak or foot. I use a common bone colored plastic chop stick. Many behaviors we teach our parrots are complex, and are broken down into smaller steps, targeting makes it easier to communicate the next step to the bird.
Definition of target training
Target training for animals involves teaching them to touch a specific object or body part to a predetermined target This skill is considered one of the building blocks of animal training and can lead to shaping other behaviors.
It builds a baseline with that animal. By this I mean, it begins teaching the animal that each time it gives me a small approximation toward the behavior I am looking for, it will receive something of value in return. Target training is a great way to introduce a new form of communication with the animal. Many animals I work with come to be with a history. The animals are usually a few years old and with those years, they have learned that not all interactions with humans bring desired consequences. By teaching them to target to a stick, I am building a direct line of communication with them. I am teaching them each time they interact with me, awesome consequences happen for them.
The sight of the target stick becomes a cue to them that awesomeness is getting ready to happen. After I teach people how to target train their animals, I tell them to put the stick away after their training sessions and only bring it out when they intent to teach their animal to touch it. This helps teach contingencies to both the animal and the person. When the animal and person understand contingencies, they both begin understanding “When I do this, THIS happens!” It teaches both animal and person that their behavior has the ability to bring desired consequences. It helps build strong relationships with the animal.
Target training for animals involves teaching them to touch a specific object or body part to a predetermined target This skill is considered one of the building blocks of animal training and can lead to shaping other behaviors.
It builds a baseline with that animal. By this I mean, it begins teaching the animal that each time it gives me a small approximation toward the behavior I am looking for, it will receive something of value in return. Target training is a great way to introduce a new form of communication with the animal. Many animals I work with come to be with a history. The animals are usually a few years old and with those years, they have learned that not all interactions with humans bring desired consequences. By teaching them to target to a stick, I am building a direct line of communication with them. I am teaching them each time they interact with me, awesome consequences happen for them.
The sight of the target stick becomes a cue to them that awesomeness is getting ready to happen. After I teach people how to target train their animals, I tell them to put the stick away after their training sessions and only bring it out when they intent to teach their animal to touch it. This helps teach contingencies to both the animal and the person. When the animal and person understand contingencies, they both begin understanding “When I do this, THIS happens!” It teaches both animal and person that their behavior has the ability to bring desired consequences. It helps build strong relationships with the animal.
Clicker Training. Clicker training is a type of positive reinforcement training that uses an audible sound, a click, to precisely mark a desired behavior. The clicking sound does not generate any feeling or emotion. Clickers are small devices that create a clicking sound when pressed. They are widely available as a pet training tool.
The first step in training is to pair the sound with a food reward so the sound itself means a food reward is forthcoming. Start by pairing the sound with delivering a food treat. Sound the clicker and immediately hand your parrot a highly valued food treat. Repeat numerous times during each session. Sessions can be as short as 5 to 7 minutes, once or twice a twice a day, seven days a week or 3 to 5 five times a week. During the first session none of the parrots I have trained were afraid of the stick or clicker and all of these parrots alerted in a good way to the sound of the click. The click becomes positive because it signals that a food reward is forthcoming. The click becomes a conditioned stimulus. The sound can become as rewarding as food itself.
The click can now be used to mark correct responses during training. When the clicker makes the clicking sound, a food treat should be delivered as soon as possible after the click, particularly during initial training.
The click should happen the instant the desired behavior occurs. The clicker allows you to communicate precisely what the bird did to earn a treat. It also allows you to communicate even when your bird is more than an arm’s reach away.
The first step in training is to pair the sound with a food reward so the sound itself means a food reward is forthcoming. Start by pairing the sound with delivering a food treat. Sound the clicker and immediately hand your parrot a highly valued food treat. Repeat numerous times during each session. Sessions can be as short as 5 to 7 minutes, once or twice a twice a day, seven days a week or 3 to 5 five times a week. During the first session none of the parrots I have trained were afraid of the stick or clicker and all of these parrots alerted in a good way to the sound of the click. The click becomes positive because it signals that a food reward is forthcoming. The click becomes a conditioned stimulus. The sound can become as rewarding as food itself.
The click can now be used to mark correct responses during training. When the clicker makes the clicking sound, a food treat should be delivered as soon as possible after the click, particularly during initial training.
The click should happen the instant the desired behavior occurs. The clicker allows you to communicate precisely what the bird did to earn a treat. It also allows you to communicate even when your bird is more than an arm’s reach away.