Posted By: Mozart
Clicker training! - 07/28/13 04:00 AM
I've been clicker training my suggies for the past two weeks or so and just wanted to share my adventures! I've trained plenty of critters, working primary with large mammals. I've also assisted the training of some exotics (two breeds of monkeys and kangaroos) while I was doing an internship at a local zoo. I've been told gliders are not trainable, but I decided to give it a go anyway. It's going fantastic! I'm starting of with just teaching them to target, or to touch their nose to an object when I give a cue. I am using the end of a pen. Long term goal is to have them stay still for nail trims... My female, Bandit, is absolutely loving training and has already learned the cue and targets consistently. Jack targets consistently and will begin learning the cue word tomorrow. The best part is the change I've seen in Bandit. She came from a home without much glider knowledge where she wasn't handled often, so she would always hide in her tunnel when I came in and while she ate and has hand trust issues. Since training took off she runs out to greet me when I come into the room at night and doesn't always run to hide when she gets her treats. She is very good about letting me pet her and give her scratches and seems more active. It's great to see! If anyone has any training questions feel free to ask!