how do you do it?

[bird girl]

I've been busy and I need to catch up in my research. How do you harness train a parrot?
you can give me book names, links, or just advice and tips. thanks. 

[joanne]

I'm still trying to figure that one out.

[sweeetnlowww]

its very difficult, in my opinion...biting is typical...the best info i've seen on it was the video that came with the harness...but of course the bird on there was a complete angel, cjs is not.

[alicat]

this is about how it went with poppy...
i bought the harness and when it arrived i watched the video about 4 times.
i spent weeks laying it across his back, lifting his wings up n splaying them out in preparation of getting it round his head etc. i got him used to having my hands go overe his head and his eyes no problem.

the minute he realised a bit of it was to go round his neck he viewed the whole thing with contempt, and has ever since, all he has to see is that little red harness in my hand and hes gone!

hopefully carol will see this as she uses a harness on peggy and takes her to the beach, how cool is that eh?

[billysprout]

Bella has had the haness on no poblem but fo some eason when she now sees it she has gone too! 

[bird girl]

thanks for the help. do you have any video names or book names I could use.

[billysprout]

If you get the official aviato haness thee is a dvd that comes with it explaining evething. Make sue you watch it befoe any attempts to put it on.

[sweeetnlowww]

it would be better if somehow the harness loosened up big aroung the head too, like the wing part does...

[bird girl]

thanks. 

[sweeetnlowww]

bird girl- please be aware that these birds are like children, very demanding! ...you are young yourself, and kudos to you for looking into it beforehand... you could be a great mum ...but please realize these birds will normally outlive you, outsmart you, and take up wayy too much of your time, for as long as you live...and more...like kids! ... i do not mean to offend, as i said, i think its so great you're looking into it first, but i just want you to be aware, as a friend      ...if they don't get enuf attention, they can pluck themselves bald, scream (a loud scream that you wouldn't believe came from such a little bird), or just sit in a corner of the cage from depression...please do your homework well on this one    nancy

[alicat]

if you intend to buy a hand reared baby from a breeder you could ask them to get the baby used to wearing it while very young. it may accept it easier, before the suspicion mode that greys have about anything new kicks in.

[carol]

thanks alycat, iv managed to get Peggy in the harness, not the way the DVD says, i have to chase her round the table first, after a lot of squawkers, nips and coaxing i finally get it on her, but  as soon as its on she OK , because she knows she going down the beach, Peggy loves going the beach, she sits on my hand twittering away, kissing me, we go to the cafe have toast  then walk home 

[bird girl]

thanks Nancy, I've watched a video on parrots. It tells you a lot about them and I've already heard that they need a lot of attention. I'm prepared for it.

[sweeetnlowww]

  great job then    ...just wanted to be sure you were aware 

as for the harness, cjs had his put on for the first time by the vet (with no problem at all, ugh) ...after that, i continued to do it every warm day since, but it has actually gotten harder instead of easier...i think he's just getting used to being outside more too, and the excitement of it is wearing off 

[bird girl]

do you travel with cj?