When we see a bird lunge, bite, or shut down, it’s tempting to label them: moody, stubborn, bossy. It’s a habit most of us have fallen into at some point. But those labels stop us from asking the right questions. Frustration isn’t a personality trait. It’s...
In progressive training, clarity matters. One of the most powerful tools we have to bring that clarity into a session is the marker—also called a bridge. A marker is a stimulus that tells the learner exactly which behavior is being reinforced. Think of it like taking...
Coercion. It’s a tough word. It can bring up ideas of force or even harm — and it’s not always easy to look at directly. But the truth is, most of us have used coercion in our training without even realizing it. It shows up...
If you’ve been working with birds for a while, chances are you’ve picked up your fair share of training advice — some of it helpful, some of it… maybe not so much. “Don’t let the bird win.” “Hold on ‘til they give up.” “He just needs to know...