New Green Cheek Owner! Help!

[NotEnoughTime]

The best "leash" on the market is apparently the Aviator Harness.

I take my bird(s) with me lots of places... But I do not have a harness - so this is just what I've read.

If you take your bird outside make sure he can't run or fly away... So in a cage or whatever... Or use a harness. A harness will give you some security while your bird is travelling with you outside.

The Feather Teather (which I suspect is the one you saw) has not received very good reviews by the people that have used them.

[Alyx]

Hey Marilyn! I'm so glad to hear things are going well!!! Up till now I've taken Pogo with me as many places as I can in the summer, always on my shoulder and always with well clipped wings. Since joining this board I've given that some serious reconsideration after hearing so many sad stories of well clipped, well trained birds getting a scare or a gust of wind and taking off and never coming back. SO this summer we WILL be investing in an Aviator Harness for Pogo. I had always thought of them as cruel and inhumane, but now I don't think I would consider taking her out without one. But I still plan on taking her to festivals, parks, the zoo, car rides, she LOVES car rides! About the only place I don't take her is the grocery store and restaurants... something about health laws :P I mean really they let children and slobs eat in restaurants why can't i bring my bird :P

[Young]

Hi Marilyn,

Just found your thread and am having a great time reading all your excitement with Stella. Congratulations! It sounds like you are asking all the right questions, but mostly, making some great observations about Stella. Alyx and NotEnoughTime have some great advice for you, so I won't expand on that, but I will say this. It sounds like Stella is flighted, and unlike NotEnoughTime, who I believe works very hard on recall training, Stella is not. He's new to your family and anytime you go outside, I would recommend using an aviator harness. My husband and I take our babies everywhere, but since we have not trained them with recall, we are very cautious to use the harness any time we have them outside. It's just a sense of security for us, since they could take off at any time from a sudden noise, something moving, anything can spook them to take flight.

We've had our cinnamon gcc's for over 4 years, but we still would not take them outside without a harness, not even to take out the garbage.

One thing you might do, if you are interested in recall training is PM NotEnoughTime for some links that were posted in a previous thread.

It sounds like a wonderful adventure for you and your husband, and I'm so thrilled that Stella has found the two of you.

[NoLimitssjca]

Hey Marilyn,

I have really enjoyed reading about your adventures with your new bird Stella. It's great to hear you taking the relationship with you BF in stride. Birds have their own agenda and we just get to tag along for the ride.

It sounds like you're doing everything right and getting a great foundation to build on.

Congrats again...

[Stellas Mom]

Hello!

Thanks for all the positive reinforcement! We're trying to do the right things! Learning more about Stella everyday!. I think we're going out to get the harness today! Its too cold outside right now to take him out but I'd like to have the harness ready for when it warms up out there.

Have a bird'tastic weekend!

Hugz
Marilyn

[Stellas Mom]

Thanks to everybody who suggested which Harness to buy!

I just called the store and they have the Aviator!!! Its $44.00 but as we figure it, it will keep Stella safe so its worth every penny!... I'll let you know how Stella likes it.

You guys are the bestest!! Thanks again for ALL your posts. This is better than any book! (you were right Alyx!)...

I'm going to try to add another pic of Stella, chewing on Dads ear!.. I hope it works! (still a newbie!)

Hugz
Marilyn

[Bellco]

Hello and congrats on being owned by a gcc!
Please make sure you follow the steps to getting your bird comfortable with the harness. It took me about a week to get my blue crowned conure ok with it. Also even though you are not taking Stella outside yet once you get Stella comfortable with the harness keep putting it on, make sure Stella stays comfortable with it.

[Stellas Mom]

Thanks a bunch! Its a good idea!....
Have a happy Sunday!

[Stellas Mom]

Good Morning All!

Ok, quick update... We purchased the Aviator Harness and the nice thing was, the store is closing down next weekend so we got 25% off!

It comes with a dvd that should explain lots. I took it out of the box, its basically a piece of string! LOL.... I actually thought it might be jacket like! We're going to sit down shortly and view it. I will post the details after we watch the dvd. I'm very excited about it!

Its way too cold here (-30c yesterday) so I think we have a bit of time to get him used to the harness before we take him outside. As we figure it, it won't be warm enough for another month, therefore, pleanty of time to get him used to it!

I'm look forward to watching the dvd so I can give you guys my opinion on it! It will be my first post that might actually contain info for you instead of question after question!.. Maybe after that post, I won't be such a newbie on this board!

Have a bird'tastic day!
Marilyn

[Stellas Mom]

HI! I hope all of you are having a happy Monday!

We watched the Aviator DVD. I never realized theres
so much to know before you can even put it on! It was a very informative DVD. We need to get Stella used to seeing it and being around it. They suggest putting it on top of the cage or hanging it around your neck. We so far tried both of these and Stella didn't care about it at all. They also say you should start spreading their wings and getting them used to that, so when you put the harness on, they will be used to that action already. This Stella is doing very well!!

An important point they raised in the DVD is to make sure you do all the warm up exersizes and not to actually put the harness on until you can take them outside. This way, they are more occupied with going outside and they won't be concerned about having a harness on. One of the posts mentioned that putting it on and getting them used to it is a good idea but the dvd said otherwise. Did you have a different experience with the Aviator Harness?. just curious. It kinda makes sense both ways so i'm a bit confused!...

We think its going to go very well! So far he loves his wings being spread! LOL.. He actually takes advantage of it and starts cleaning places on his wings that normally he can't get to! Its rather amuzing!... We also learned, he loves to be petted/scratched at the back on his neck!....

Since watching the video, we've learned so much about petting etc.... and that Stella lets my hubby do just about anything to him and he isn't nipping at him (now nipping me is another story ) We're all excited about the warm weather coming to try it out!.. We learned today that Stella has never been outside other than to come to us... This will be so much fun for all of us!

So theres my newbie report on the Aviator Harness! LOL .... Look at that, no questions for today.. instead "my opinion" posting!
Maybe I'm not such a newbie afterall! Tomorrow will be 3 weeks we've had him. Life has changed SO much!!! We're so inlove with him!...

Have a safe & bird'tastic evening!
Marilyn