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Parrots, known for their extended lifespans, might encounter the need for prescribed medication from a vet at some point in their lives. Typically administered as an oral liquid through a syringe, the process becomes less straightforward when dealing with an uncooperative bird. The bird's instinct to avoid or escape may lead to resorting to aversive methods like chasing or using a towel to hold them down for medication administration.
Complicating matters, the need for multiple daily doses extends the challenge beyond a one-time event. Each attempt to catch and administer medication becomes a recurring process, intensifying the stress for both the bird and the caregiver. This repetitive interaction may exacerbate the negative association, as the bird increasingly associates the caregiver with an unwelcome and intrusive experience.
This continuous struggle can potentially strain the bond between the bird and its owner. Owners have reported behavioural problems, such as increased fearfulness or aggression, arising after prolonged medication administration battles.
What if we told you that training your bird to take medication cooperatively could transform the entire experience? Picture a scenario where chasing, toweling, or forceful holding becomes outdated. Cooperative care practices, including syringe training, crate training, cooperative toweling and restraints, cooperative collar wearing, body presentation, and more, open avenues for more of a stress-free approach.
Similar to teaching behaviours like step-up or spin, the process of getting your bird to take medication can be seamlessly integrated with positive reinforcement and training techniques. Initiating cooperative care behaviours well before their actual necessity is crucial. This proactive approach provides ample time for both you and your bird to practice and instill resilient behaviours, ensuring a smoother implementation when the need arises.
Initiate syringe training using the errorless training approach, breaking down the behaviour into successive approximations using a training technique called shaping. Start by targeting with an empty syringe; if your bird isn't comfortable touching the syringe, start by reinforcing looking at the syringe and taking gradual steps closer. Introduce pleasant liquids like diluted fruit juice, marking and reinforcing swallowing to create positive associations.
As your bird begins to appreciate the syringe's content, the sight of it may begin to trigger positive emotions like excitement. Practice regularly, then transition to less pleasant liquids, such as diluted lemon juice or vinegar, always reinforcing swallowing.
This approach ensures cooperative behaviour even with medications that might not have a desirable taste. Regular practice with a variety of tastes maintains positive emotional conditioning, making medication administration a smoother experience.
Transforming the often stressful ordeal of administering medication to your bird can be achieved through proactive and positive reinforcement-based training. By embracing cooperative care practices like syringe training, crate training, and other collaborative behaviours, you not only eliminate the need for aversive methods but also strengthen the bond between you and your feathered companion. The key lies in starting early, employing an errorless approach, and gradually introducing less pleasant substances with consistent positive reinforcement. This not only facilitates a stress-free medication administration process but also fosters a trusting relationship that benefits both the bird and the caregiver in the long run.
So, why struggle when you can turn medication time into a positive and cooperative experience for you and your feathered friend?
