Help with harness for macaw

[macy07]

Hello to anyone who can help me!! We have an eight month old green winged macaw and we are trying to get her to wear a harness when we take her out. Today was only the second time we tried with no success. The first time we tried we got it on her after a big battle but today was much worse. She was running around all over the floor, wouldn't stay on her perch and wouldn't sit on my lap. We had to chase her all over the den floor and every time we got close to her with the harness she would do her macaw yell and try to fly away. In the process she broke 2 of her long tail feathers and started panting very hard. We finally gave up and put her back on her playstand. Any advice on how to get her to wear this harness or are there other things to use when we want to take her for a walk outside or go off somewhere?
Thanks so much
Macy07

[Copper]

#1... what type of harness?
If it's got buckles and clips, they will not hold up to that beak that can crack coconuts.
#2... What have you done to mentally prepare her for wearing it?
You can't just produce a harness and expect her to accept it. She needs to have it draped somewhere so she can inspect it as she wants. Then you have to make it a game, get her to play with it so she loses fear of it. Then you can get her used to draping it over/around her.

All of mine are harness trained, except for the B&G.
My GW was spooked last month, broke the harness... and I do inspect it before each use... and she was literally in the woods for 6 days.
The harness was replaced with the same brand, but every place there was a joining has not only been reinforced with heavy duty thread, but also with leather, and leather grade stitching. We're back doing our walks, and she hasn't spooked, but she never had previously.

[macy07]

Thank you for your reply Copper! The harness is called Feather Teather or something along that line. We haven't done anything to mentally prepare her but we found out today that we need to. The breeder we purchased her from was supposed to have worked with her and the harness but I think she only did it twice and we have only got it on her once. I put the harness on the counter next to her playstand where she can see it all the time and I've been showing it to her off and on today. She actually did better with the harness the other times it was put on her. She totally got spooked today. I'm scared to try it again and thinking we need to find another method of travel. Any more advice?
Thanks
Macy07

[Karen1]

I've got a feather tether for my GW. I started him early and used pine nuts as a reward.

I usually put the collar around my wrist, scratch his head and slip it over him. He still doesn't like that portion of it but, after that we're fine.

Your bird will try and bite it off once you get it on. Make sure you don't allow it. You can jiggle him a bit when he tries, that will take his mind off it for a moment. Just keep doing it and he'll finally stop.

Good luck

[Copper]

One thing to remember... Our parrots are empathic. They may not understand the mood that they are picking up from us, but they will still react and usually adversly to your fear.
I would say just play with the harness with her for a few days, and start from the beginning again, perhaps doing like Karen suggested to slip the head piece on.

[macy07]

I've been working with our greenwing to get her used to the harness. I tend to be the type who wants instant results so I'm not very optimistic. I give her lots of love and talk to her very softly and tell her what a girl she is when she will let me touch her with the harness. What I need is someone to tell me a secret on how to slip the harness over her head. She fights me and will not sit still long enough so I can get it around her head. She seems really frightened and tries to bite it. I really want to train her to wear this because we would love to take her on walks with us. She seems to love being outside. Help!!!
Macy07

[CALVINS MOM]

Have you looked into the Aviator Harness? It's much easier to outfit than the Feather Tether.

[belinda1978]

I've been working with my B&G for years to get him to wear one and he hates it he will run from it even if I leave it out so he can get to it he'll attack it so i ran out of ideas so we dont attempt it with him anymore. Good luck