Photo of Grey on Back

[Ken]

The attached photo is a video capture from a broadcast on KTUU TV Anchorage. They came to cover a workshop of mine. The Timneh in the photo was considered "unhandleable" a few minutes before this photo was taken. It's very possible to build trust in a very short time.

You can see this video on my web site.

[The Outlaw]

Ken:

That's the acid test for trust. I always tell folks that until my birds will happily lay on their backs in my lap and let me tickle them and play with their feet, I won't allow them on my shoulder. I firmly believe that is the first indicator of trust. After all, if you were GONNA eat them, you sure could've then.

Are you familiar with the intensive love method of training? That was the first methodology that I employed when I had to win over my second parrot. He was a very high strung and tempermental, frightened Severe. I figured I could spend the next 5 years trying to convince him that I was his buddy, or simply cut to the chase and PROVE it to him right away. It only took 3 times in a towel gently stroking him and telling him he would be just fine before he became my best buddy. Now, I have to have him surgically removed whenever I place him on my shoulder. He'd live there if he could. It is really all about mutual trust. What surprises me about your approach is that you are able to do it in front of a crowd. I would be too distracted to concentrate on the bird, but that's me. In any event, I'm too old to invest years of baiting and negotiating. Then again, I would NEVER impose myself on any creature who I really thought couldn't stand me. Why bother?

THE OUTLAW

[Crebain]

Would be better without the glove. Still a neat pic, though. Thanks for posting.

[Ken]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw

Ken:

Are you familiar with the intensive love method of training?


THE OUTLAW

What I'm doing could be called "intensive love," but a don't towel. I create a system of pressure on, pressure off and bounce quickly back and forth between negative and positive reinforcement. It does take tremendous focus and concentration to do it in front of a crowd. But somehow, being in front of people, vulnerable to being judged by all, creates a kind of fear/excitement energy in me that helps me focus on an even higher level than normally. And I pour it into the birds. After a weekend in which I've done an hour and a half demonstration and two four hour workshops in which I'm talking the entire time and working with perhaps 20 "problem" birds, I'm spent. It usually takes me a few days to decompress after a weekend like that.

Originally Posted by The Outlaw

Ken:

I would NEVER impose myself on any creature who I really thought couldn't stand me. Why bother?

THE OUTLAW

In most cases, if a bird doesn't like you, it's not personal. And the reason to bother is to save a bird from living in constant fear and tension.

[Ken]

Originally Posted by Crebain

Would be better without the glove. Still a neat pic, though. Thanks for posting.

Do you believe that one should never use gloves with birds?

[Crebain]

Nope. Just saying the pic would've impressed me more if showing a bare hand. 2-way trust takes it to the next level.

Handling nippy birds in front of a crowd is no cakewalk, I'm sure ... kudos.

[Elizabeth]

I watched the video and it was pretty neat. I would love to have you work with Harley and Gypsy. I can't imagine Harley ever laying on his back and Gypsy just loves her mama and no one else. I'm glad your posting on this board as I find your work very interesting.

[indybirds]

Very nice and interesting photo. I will have to check out the video later.

[danforth3]

My caique and senegal will lay on their backs in our hands. This morning my caique, Scooter,flipped herself over for a belly rub. Here are pictures of her laying there. We don't have pictures of Peeps doing it, mostly because I'm usually alone with her when she does it. So far I've been lucky with my parrots--they've all trained without too much difficulty.

Any way, here's Scooter doing the belly rub. :icon_smil

[Crebain]

Scooter is adorable!

My browser doesn't like the Whisperer video.