Chet Womach Training??

[Amy1569]

I was looking at the website last night.
Reading through the testamonials and such. Looking at the videos he has on the site to watch.

And I'm wondering if anyone has heard of them, has gotten the training packet or know anyone that has?

I'd really be interested in possibly getting this...

He's all about the instinct of the birds...and what they are comfortable with. It's amazing what he can do....and of all the testamonials he's had from his clients.....

Just wondered what everyones thoughts were on this...

birdtricks.com is the site..

[chapala]

He just died last week I think it was. I am far more in favor of positive reinforcement training. He used a technique called "flooding" which most parrot behaviorists today think is harmful. Check out information on Susan Friedman and Steve Martin (they teach seminars, but I don't believe any dvds are available), and Barbara Heidenreich who does have training dvds and a magazine, Good Bird! which is excellent.
Reta

[unpoquito]

Amy, I think you're making really good progress with bonding with your little guy. Remember, it's only been a short time since he's been with you. Also, he's an adult, right? Mine are adults and I believe they take longer to bond than a baby bird. Just when you think you've hit a roadblock, you'll be amazed that your little guy will do something new in the bonding dept.

[Amy1569]

Actually Reta, here is an article that he explains that he actually doesn't approve of that training at all...except maybe for Macaws...but that he encourages and prefers positive reinforcement...

Flooding – A Bad Parrot Training Technique For Macaws (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/flooding-bad-parrot-training-technique-macaws.html)



How did he die, do you know?

[Amy1569]

Thanks Kristen...I had a pretty good day with him today...he does seem to be getting less fearful...sometimes alittle too brave....i was on the floor laying on my stomach..and he was on the carpet in front of me...and at one point just opened his beak and headed straight for me....funniest thing....lol...lil shyt.

But your right...he surprised me today how he has reacted to me...for the good....I think he even called for me at one point today...

[chapala]

Sorry!! It was Ken Globus who died about a week ago, aka the bird whisperer, not Chet Womach!

I'm not sure why he thinks that Macaws need different training techniques than other parrots. Many Macaw people will tell you they are just as sensitive and intelligent as other parrots, and respond equally well to positive reinforcement rather than flooding.

This is Maya, a 15 year old Macaw who lived with us for 14 months. I still visit her and miss her.

http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/43783/1182165039055207348S200x200Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1182165039055207348SphrUX)

[unpoquito]

Reta, Maya is just breathtaking. Is she a Greenwing macaw? I have loved them for many years. I love macaws.

[chapala]

Yes, she is a Greenwing, and a gorgeous one at that. We kept her when her owner who had her for 12 years basically didn't want her anymore, had become more attached to the Scarlet Macaw she had recently acquired. It turned out we couldn't keep Maya because she was so jealous of our birds (had been an only bird all her life) and attacked them at every opportunity. It just was not safe for our original two parrots, and then we had to keep Maya locked up in her cage too much which wasn't good for her either. She would climb off her cage and come attack my Grey. I still am very sad about her, she is a special bird.:(

[chapala]

And just since Macaws were mentioned, here is a photo of our Pepper, Military Macaw. We got her out of a bad situation, she was not tame, didn't know how to step up and did bite and draw blood. She was mature when we got her six and a half years ago, unknown age, we guess around 15+ now. The flooding technique was never used with her, lots of positive reinforcement. She is a very affectionate bird as are many of the Macaws.

http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/38436/2330310110055207348S425x425Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2330310110055207348vPRPvG)

[chapala]

And here is a site that discusses his training techniques and videos:

http://www.clickertraining.com/node/986

The critique is part positive (the updated manual) and part negative (poor training techniques in the videos/dvds).

This is on Karen Pryor's site - she is one of the top names in positive reinforcement training techniques, has worked with many kinds of zoo animals as well as dogs, parrots, etc. Please Don't Shoot the Dog was probably her most famous book, many years old and still used today.

Here's another couple of comment on his products:
http://www.exoticbirdtraining.com/parrot-training/parrot-training-videos

Again, his brother writes in that they have changed their training techniques and will be updating their materials to remove the negative reinforcement techniques that previously were used.
Reta

[unpoquito]

Reta,
Pepper is a beauty! I've always loved all of the macaws. You are so wonderful for rescuing and helping these birds. I agree with the positive training techniques you posted. I have worked with a breed of dog that is extremely sensitive, and also another that was an extremely shy, fearful rescue dog, and found that flooding doesn't work well with these animals. It usually has the reverse desired effect with shy and/or fearful dogs. I think this definately carries over to birds and other types of animals as well. I'm sorry about Maya - she really is beautiful and I can understand how you must miss her. But it sounds like she is in a great home as an only bird.