Adopting a rehomed galah. Any recommended timeline for training?
Hi peeps,
As the title suggests, I'm in the process of adopting a 25yo galah (his previous owner was getting too old to manage his aviary). I know that rehoming is a difficult time for the bird emotionally, but I'd like to try and bridge the communication gaps early in the piece through simple clicker/target training and make sure he's getting enough attention. Is there such a thing as "rushing" this if I'm not doing long (more than 2-5 minute) sessions?
If it helps, his temprament is quiet and reserved, loves conversing/mimicking and isn't nippy but doesn't like being handled.
Thanks in advance :)
Posted Aug 3, 2019, 8:22 AM UTC
1011
Training a 25 year old Galah? Wow! I wish you luck, but in my honest opinion training should be second to just getting her/him used to living with you....
Is your opinion based on experience? I see you have a galah also.
It's worth reiterating that I'm referring to target training in the sense of developing a mutual language to earn the bird's trust - not throwing him in the deep end and expecting him to perform tricks, which is a ridiculous expectation.
I have been raising parrots for over 40 years. At on time owning over 30 species. My wife and I retired it 10 years ago and now have a Galah and an Umbrella....
Great, thanks for your response. How did you go with acclimating your galah?
We got her when she was 12 weeks old...So it was pretty simple.
If you’re gonna be a condescending why even post a question?
Edit:
And this looks like it’s your first bird. And getting a galah as potentially your first bird, getting it as an adult more than halfway through its life, and having unrealistic expectations for it is a nice way to have to rehome the bird again in 6 months.
I wasn't being condescending? Sorry if it came across that way, but there's no need to be rude. The commenter above didn't answer the question, which is why I probed further.
This isn't my first bird, but it is my first rehomed bird. But for the third time, I'm not looking to train him for tricks etc. I'm going in with the attitude of "if he stays the way he is for the rest of his life, that's what I signed up for." and even highlighted that any expectation of drastic behavioural change is ridiculous.
E: some words
I'm not the previous commenter but I don't think you were being condescending. Maybe that was a response to misunderstanding the "unreasonable expectation" comment.
Fwiw, positive reinforcement training - even trick training - can be done at any age. I received an older bird and ended up having a wonderful time teaching her simple things like waving and turning around, and even putting items into a cup and we did some flight training and recall.
It obviously depends on the bird, but if once you get to know what makes a good reward, I'm gonna guess they will enjoy any force free time that results in stuff they like being given to them.
Thank you for adopting this 25yo bird. It seems to me that they have found the perfect forever home with someone who already cares for them and is willing to put in the work!
And hands-off target training is a GREAT way to introduce yourself without being too intimidating. Honestly, you're gonna do great. You make my heart happy and I think you'll make their heart happy too.