Seminar Attendee Accountability Homework
February 3rd, 2009Chet
Chet Womach presenting on stage during training seminar
This post may seem a bit odd to you if you weren’t in attendance at our live parrot training event last weekend, where we had nearly 120 VERY excited and willing to learn parrot owners in attendance.
If you were at that event, I just wanted to let you know how much fun my brother Dave and I had with you guys, whether it was over drinks before the event kicked off, or a quick question in between sessions. And if you couldn’t make it, hopefully you can make the next one if we decide to hold one.
Judging by the comments we got from you at the event, as well as the many emails we’ve received from the attendees saying how much they learned and how great a time they had… it looks like the event was a MAJOR success.
But the real reason I’m writing this blog post today is because of something I talked about for a few minutes during our live event that a FEW people wanted me to hold them accountable to.
You see, parrot training advice, no matter how amazing it is, is only effective if it’s actually used consistently. And I challenged people to do something to help create a habit that would help them stick to the training techniques they were learning at the event.
I challenged them to pick a training technique that they learned while at the event and commit to using it at least once a day for 15 minutes. But that’s just the first part…
I then asked them to find an accountability partner that they had to check in with EVERY day, to tell them how the training was working. But the tough part about what I asked these people to do was to pick a $ amount that they would have to write their accountability partner BEFORE the training started. For some it may be $5 and for others it may be $250.
And they were to write that person the check with instructions to immediately run to the bank and cash it if they failed to check in and say that they stuck to their training commitment that day… and to do this for 30 days.
This may sound a bit crazy to you, but the theory behind it is to use whatever motivation possible on yourself to help you commit to a new training habit every day. Because it is a known principle that if you can stick to something every day for 30 days, you can create a new habit.
And since so many people have a problem sticking to habits, I taught them this technique as a way to help them stick to the training habits that will change their parrots lives if implemented regularly.
So I’ve held up my end of the bargain for those who asked me to by creating this blog post. And now it’s up to YOU, the attendees of my seminar who are SERIOUS about creating a new training habit, to use this blog to check in with your accountability partners as you successfully complete each day of training.
Feel free to share your revelations with eachother, myself and the world so that all can be more motivated to create successful training habits.
Cheers!
Chet
Hi Chet, Dave, Dana, Jason and anyone else I may have missed:
I have been using your training tapes for 4 months now and realized live interaction with “humans” would help me get a real sense of the tasks I had outlined fo rmyself. Your LIVE event was beyond the high expectations I had set. Being able to speak directly with you and all the other bird owners put everything in perspective and allowed me to stop neing so hard on myself when the results were not immediate. My husband Ron was my guest and he was equally blown away by the abilities of these beautiful creatures and has joined me in our efforts to make our African Grey as happy as she wants to be. Our training results are still going slowly. She learns new words and phrases almost everyday and is now speaking in sentences. She loves to be out of her cage but absolutely will NOT step up. I can however, pet her and touch her all over her body but being held in my hand, or anyon’es for that matter, is still a challenge. I am still using your techniques, however, I did find myself dhasing her around her cage today….so I realized it was not a good training session. As she will NOT perch on any object other than her cage, training away from her cage is a real challenge. Thanks for your wonderful seminar and I look forward to seeing you again in the near future for another great weekend!
Peg Capalongo
Hi Jamie, Dave, Chet, Dana and everyone!!!! I have not chosen an accountability partner BUT I have been using the “treat, click” training and I see a change already. Actually, Bella, our Eclectus, flew down to the floor yesterday morning. she SLOWLY wandered near me. I did not reach for her, I allowed her time to feel more secure. We were there for quite a while and I backed up slowly and she followed me….I got up ever so slowly and she walked toward me. I put my hand down about 2 feet away from her and she walked over, stepped up on her own and we nuzzled for a minute and I placed her back on her cage. BREAKTHROUGH!!! Of course, when I got home from work she was back to mistrusting but using your methods I already see changes. I am taking your advice by taking baby steps in building our relationship as we will have her for a very long time. I am not sure where to go from here. I have her coming out of her cage to get a treat but now do I wait until she is a little more secure and start using the stick, touch, click method? The weekend was great. I learned soooo much. I would do it again. I will fly a bird someday. I will not get another bird yet. I would not upset Bella. We have bonding to do before I would even consider another bird. But when we are ready I would like that bird to free fly. Make sure Jamie and Chet read this. Sue and John Rather One of the EARLY BIRDS!!!! We had a great time and would do it again.
Hi Everyone, Since coming home from the training seminar, I have created a log sheet for my cockatiel, Sheikra. We start the morning with “training” followed by breakfast and together time. We are working on the following behaviors: accepting contact, indoor flight, and target training using the method demonstrated by Chet and Dave with the parakeet. I am able to use an assortment of treats including sunflower seeds, millet, walnuts, and pecans. Sheikra also enjoys bread, muffins, cereal and strawberries. I’ve noticed that he tires after about 30 minutes of training… that’s when we stop for breakfast and free time. He often enjoys just sitting on my shoulder while I do my lessons. One thing I’ve noticed is that he really likes my pencil erasers….he doesn’t eat them, he just chews them off and drops the pieces. Another new behavior that I’m very excited about is his apparent eagerness for my petting. I’m not able to touch him all over (that is one of the things that we are working on) but I can scratch his head and around his neck. He will even initiate this by dropping his head when I ask him to step up. After our time together, he will rest/play quietly in his cage until our afternoon training which is mostly a repeat of the morning session – but with more play. My challenge is to work with Sheikra Monday-Friday with play on the weekends. Sheikra is a whole lot more than just my “school project” – I can see how Dr. Pepperberg became so attached to “Alex” . In addition to Sheikra’s training time, I am also working to redesign his cage to include foraging toys. My 30 day objective is to enter details of our training sessions under the Cockatiel Section.
Hello to All! Accountability is only to myself, since I live alone with My Pets, Children, LOL! I have been trying however NOT to eat after 9pm, Chet! Speaking of eating, I have been preparing LOTS of brown rice and fresh veggie meals for my birds, augmenting their diets by feeding more than just pellets and seeds. It seems to be going well for all but a couple, my Teil and Lovebird, who aren’t interested in new things yet! But I will continue to give them the chance to try it! I made Birdie Bread too, with Bran Muffin Mix, Ground Pellets, Raisins, Hulled Sunflower Seeds, Cranberries, and More. It’s a Hit, and tastes pretty darn good! When I got home Sunday night, all my Children were very happy to see me! I realized at the Seminar, my Bird’s are pretty well adjusted, compared to other stories folks shared. First thing Monday morning, I picked up my Baby Blue Parrotlet, I got from Marge of Two Sister’s, and there was blood on my hand. I thought at first I was bleeding, but, NO, it was her blood feather. I ran out, in my PJ’s, jumped in the car, and flew to the local Bird Store. The owner showed me how to remove the bleeding feather by pushing it in and pulling out quickly. What a relief! I am afraid if it had happened while I was gone, I might have lost my Baby Blue, since they can bleed out fast! I also learned to use Baking Soda, to pack and stop bleeding. Back to the Seminar…The Fear Factor…ah yes, being afraid myself, has been a barrier in my Bird’s Training! I am much less afraid of being bitten, and this past week have spent more time holding my Birds that let me, and allowing them to spend more time out of their cages (all of them)! My Lovebird, Peaches is the smartest! She has been working on flight training, as well as target training! I always take her out of her cage to clean it, and put her on a tree. She likes to catch me unaware, when I have my back to her, and fly landing on my back! I live out in the country, and my Neighbor is helping me to create foraging treat logs to hang in the cages, with sea shells, and coral calcium. Chet, I will send you one to see how you like them! Jamie, I am making you a pair of beaded earrings that look like Bondi! Looking forward to reading everyone’s comments! I’d be happy to hear from any of you! Nancy twfancy@yahoo.com
“Bella”, our Eclectus is coming along. I have been listening to your CD’s to continue with “my” training. She slowly is trusting more. She will take treats from everyone in the house and not just me. This in itself is a big step for her. She would run, run, run if she saw either one of our teenagers walking toward her cage. I continue her regimen 2x a day and I am learning how better to contriol her diet for our sessions. As she is only 9 months old we could not have chosen a better time to attend your highly informative seminar. Thank you again. Sue and John Rather and Bella!
Dear Chet and Family,
Thank you very much for your positive influence in the pet bird industry. Keep up the great job!