Target Training
Target training is teaching a bird to touch an item with an open beak, a gentle grab. Once the bird learns to do that, we can use targeting to lead or direct him by having him follow the target. This is a great tool for leading a bird to a new prop, a toy he is afraid of, to come out of his cage and for actual behaviors such as the "turn around" or a step up. By teaching him to use a gentle grab, you can then apply that to teaching him to pick up an object to push an object, etc.You can use objects such as a chop stick a magic wand or even a familiar toy for the target. A target does not need to be a stick shaped object. The advantage to a stick shaped object is that it puts distance between yur hand and his beak. Make sure that you don't use his hand held perch for the behavior, it might confuse him.
The target is a "prop behavior", so it will be the cue to start the beahvior. However, you can always use a verbal such as "target" to generalize that for a gentle grab of other objects.
I prefer to teach this from a station, t-stand, first, so the bird doesn't wander. Hold the target near the bird. Click and treat for any movement toward the target. Repeating this until you have the bird actually touching the target. Once he knows to gently grab the target, you will only click and treat for the gentle grab of the target. Then move it up, down, right, left, each time click and treat for each gentle grab. You want the bird to follow the target. Once he is reliably doing that from his station, it's time to try it on the training area. Don't bring the target to him, have him come to the target. At first you may have to reward any movements toward the target as he gets comfortable on the training area. Once the bird is doing this reliably, then again only click and reward for gentle grab of the target.
Important things to remember about targeting are; to not let the bird grab the target and pull it out of your hand or to attack the target. Only use the target for directing the bird with his beak, not for anything else. Otherwise, you send mixed messages to the bird. Also, while teaching the bird "to target" is a behavior, it should be thought of as a tool to aid in training other behaviors. It should only take a few short sessions to train. Once he completely understands to follow the target, you will no longer need the clicker. Keep it simple and have fun!
