Advice on Harness Training

[KimM]

Hi All I'm in process of training Newt for the harness. I've watched the video a couple of times and we've done the exercises without the harness and I've introduced the harness and let Newt touch it, play with it etc.

My problem is he is trying to disassemble the harness. Sometimes "standard procedures" don't work with him because he is so smart. I'm afraid he's going to disassemble it before we can try it on.

Any words of wisdom or something not in the video that worked for anyone?

[my-africangrey-echo]

Hmm not sure what to tell you Echo was slow but cooperative. I wonder if you can contact the manufacturer for some help..

[shellygirl]

What type of harness are you using? We use the Aviator harness and I could sing it's praises! We used to use the "standard" harness with all of the hooks etc but by the end of it, I felt like I had just hog tied my bird!

[my-africangrey-echo]

Originally Posted by shellygirl

What type of harness are you using? We use the Aviator harness and I could sing it's praises! We used to use the "standard" harness with all of the hooks etc but by the end of it, I felt like I had just hog tied my bird!

If I remember right they are using the Aviator too..

[huntress]

Steve's Video on the Aviator is the best advise. Its Ok to let him not be afraid of it but allowing him to play with it too much will make it a toy and he WILL learn to mess with it. If your having trouble I would call Steve Hartman directly for Advise. Im training my new baby but she is not even flighted yet so she pretty much is accepting everything I dish out as I got he directly out of the nest.

[KimM]

HI All. Yes, Its the Aviator Harness with the instructional
DVD. I've heard nothing but good things about it.

I've let Newton touch it and feel it. He's definitely not afraid. He just goes right for the small clasp that makes the loop that goes around the wrist or the slide that attaches the harness to the "leash". I take it away from him as soon as he starts doing that, but I don't want him to feel "punished" for "touching" it. I want it to be a positive experience and for him to realize, "Oh goody, I get to go out and play"

Maybe I'm missing something in the video. I'll look at it again. If not, I'll give
Steve Hartman a call and see what he recommends.