Focusing on Small Approximations

I always tell people when they’re training that progress comes in small approximations. With severe aggression concerns, it takes time, it takes discipline, and it takes knowledge in working with aggressive parrots and behavior modification to see progress. When we see progress, it’s the little things. We often want to celebrate the big things, but really me sitting here with my phone in my bird’s face taking photos was a thing I celebrated just as much as when he first started stepping up without aggression. When my bird finally accepted a food reinforcer from me was celebrated. Him staying on his station while I open doors was celebrated, not just the first time I cleaned his cage with him in it with me and he stayed on his station.

If you’re feeling discouraged when training, I suggest keeping a training log. Just put down the date and explain behaviors you saw. Or record sessions on your phone and rewatch them. There are plenty of small progression made everyday, just sometimes we can be so focused and excited about our goals with our animals that we forget to enjoy the process and celebrate more.