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fuzzy wrote:Applied Behavior Analysis is absolutely the way forward like ZazuSally said. You can achieve wonders with positive reinforcement - in a nutshell, reward the good and ignore the bad. As Judy and Greengirrl suggested, do get Barbara Heidenreich's ... videos or other books. Barbara is brilliant! ...

I've just watched a PBS show on the Sumatran rhino that described how the rare captive births of one special rhino who, sadly, has just died, were due to the behavior modification training Steve Martin, Susan Friedman, and Barbara Heidenreich have been so very successful at worldwide. The rhino was taught to cooperate with caregivers in medical care and testing that led to breakthroughs ... and babies! To call this unscientific is ignorance.

http://www.cincinnatizoo.org/documents/ ... nRhino.pdf

Bluesbird Exotics wrote:I've just watched a PBS show on the Sumatran rhino that described how the rare captive births of one special rhino who, sadly, has just died, were due to the behavior modification training Steve Martin, Susan Friedman, and Barbara Heidenreich have been so very successful at worldwide. The rhino was taught to cooperate with caregivers in medical care and testing that led to breakthroughs ... and babies! To call this unscientific is ignorance.

http://www.cincinnatizoo.org/documents/ ... nRhino.pdf

There is nothing in that citation that substantiates what you are saying.

But then again that is typical of your postings.

The only thing ignorant is one applying humanistic tendencies to scientific results in an animal or bird.

I have to agree with Purpleheart on this one. I am owned by 2 U2, 1 lesser, and 1 rosie. I have tried the behavior modification JUNK with both of my U2's and from my experience with it, it does not work. I found that if you will just watch and listen with a learning eye and ear you will be able to figure out what your Too really wants/needs. There are different reasons for what you call screaming. The bottom line is you have to get used to it because you are not going to stop them from doing what comes naturally. You might be able to decrease it some of the time, but at what cost to the bird? I personally do not even really hear them screaming anymore. And really I do not consider it screaming as much as it is letting me know what they want/need from me. I know this probably does not help you any, but you really are just going to have to get used to it.

Andy

How come so many intelligent people practice and teach positive reinforcement? (Intelligence is not necessarily measured in qualifications.)

Surely it is better for everyone, in the case of the rhino, that she accepts medication willingly? There is no trauma, no violence.

Even though it's off topic (Kobe's not a Cockatoo), I would like to use Kobe as an example since this is the only bird I have practiced positive reinforcement on. When he first came to live with me, I used to have a nightly battle to get him into his nightcage. I used to get bitten, and sometimes I resorted to just grabbing him and putting him in there out of exasperation. There was mistrust between us, bad feeling and dread. There had to be another way. I started reading Barbara Heidenreich's books and was impressed enough to also buy her DVDs. Very quickly Kobe learned that if he went into his nightcage he got an almond. He goes in straight away now no problem. He wants to go in. We are both calm and happy. I certainly prefer it this way and I'm sure he does too. I was concerned that he would want a reward for everything he did for me. But no - only to go into his nightcage. Praise is enough for anything else.

Of course you have to watch and listen to your bird to learn about them and what they want. But sometimes you have to take a further step to live in harmony. I also used to have a big problem with Kobe biting - but a mixture of watching his body language carefully and walking out of the room for 30 seconds if he did bite, means that it is rare for him to bite now - so yes, a mixture of watching and listening and behaviour modification.

Kobe also drove me mad with his almost continuous microwave beep for probably over a year. But I've taught him other ways of communicating now - he whispers, he talks, he's incredibly raucous morning and night, and I join in. I walk out of the room if he does the microwave beep. It was the hardest behaviour to modify.

A parrot is clever enough to get the reaction he or she wants out of a human. What is so wrong about a human achieving a peaceful co-existance using positive methods?

That's all well and good

BUT ITS NOT SCIENCE!

It's reflex system conditioning.

Like in Pavlov's Dog

Hear bell ring, dog is reflex conditioned to think food is coming, hence saliva.

There is no point that you can direct a animal into (other than reflex) unless that animal has cognitive thinking abilities.

This is all hog wash, and has no scientific merit except to sell this lady's books, CD's, or anything else people want to buy. If all of this was scientifically held to standards it wouldn't hold water. Besides with scientific standards research into the by-product or adverse effects would prove that they harm more than do good. But like witch doctors, they fail to tell you the bad side of this and only exaggerate their so-called good.

Pavlovian conditioning is very different from operant conditioning. It's like comparing apples and oranges and those that don't really understand it, shouldn't be giving opinions on it. If you really understood what it is, you would know that it works. It is the science of behaviour. You might want to read one of Paul Chance's books.

We all work to get the things we want. Would you go to work if you didn't get paid? Do you breed birds and give them away? All behaviour has a reason whether you believe it or not.

I have 3 rehomed birds here. Two were rehomed for screaming and one for biting. They don't do that here. Maybe something magical happened when they came through my door but most likely it was because I used a combination of positive reinforcement and DRO/DRI to get the behaviours I wanted.

Applied Behaviour Analysis has helped many, many people who had behavioural problems with their birds. Cockatoos and other parrots are being dumped by the thousands. Rescues are full and I've heard that some places are already euthanizing birds. Everyone I know has taken in birds that have problem behaviours caused by humans and then dumped by them. This is usually screaming and biting. These behaviours can be modified/reduced if you know how to do it. People are learning the hard way that parrots and especially cockatoos don't make good pets. ABA has given the people who really want a good relationship with their birds a way to do that. There are no quick fixes which is what most people are looking for but it can be done.

And whether you believe it or not, we use ABA every single second of our lives.



Bev

I DO have a cockatoo, she is quiet, gentle, doesn't pluck and eats pretty much everything. Casper is probably still really getting over having so many homes, please persist. Some suggestions to help with the noise
1. Give him plenty of toys, noisy toys eg bells, things to pull apart, wood to chew, leather to chew, bits of greenery to chew.
2. Put him where he can see a view outside but still feel protected, my girl likes bird watching and seeing what the streets occupants are up to.
3. Give him lots of out time on playstands, chairs and take him about with you while you do domestic chores. Try to get him harness trained and sit out in the sun in the garden, helps with Vit D and mental stimulation.
4. When you're doing stuff, call out to him.."How you doing Casper? I'm just getting a coffe..." or what ever. Talk to him in the same way you would a little two year old, explain what you're doing tell him what there is to see " This is a vege grater, I'm making cloeslaw."
5. Call out in response to him cries, "Hello Casper won't be long now..."
6. Remember he is an individual and try to understand what is bugging him...
7. Ensure he has a good diet
8. Make sure he has 10-12 hours sleep.
9. Let him watch TV or listen to radio/music
10 Allow/encourage a "wild hour" when Casper and you play really noisy games (my girl likes to spin the stainless steel cat dish on the slate tiles or ceramic tiles...wow it is noisy, and she will play this game with me for an hour easy!) sing along, dance, ...anything noisy. This will wear him out, give him one to one attention, and result in a quieter bird.

We goe

Great advice Maggy I've also had 'toos and found that consistency was the key. Unfortunately, hubby developed allergies and we had to rehome our last one. Good thing is it went to a friend and we are able to receive notes and updates on him. She reports that he is still sweet, reasonable quiet, playful and talks.

ladybriann wrote:needs the dictionary? The word is singling as in to single out. P.S. note to everyone besides Purpleheart: my mother always told me "if you don't give a bully any ammunition he can't fire back" So let's just ignore someone's bad attitude and don't add fuel to the fire. We don't need his advice that badly, just don't read his comments, nor answer them and he can't upset us. That said; let's get back to why we really come to this forum. I hope Casper is still living with you and are things getting any better?

Well it is nice to know that after one month here and what....... 14 posts you are now considered to be an expert, not only in grammar but also the "reasons why we are here"

Another dummy I suppose.

What I lack in grammar is made up by "usage" something I might think that people in Wisconsin are lacking tremendously?

And what is your academic qualifications or aviculture credentials?

Exactly... move on unenlightened one and save your comments about me personally for your husband or children, for whom I'm sure, miss your comments while you spend your worthless time online.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal