I have been inspired by Piper and Ollie and I have begun working with Jerry on flying down steep angles. I've picked up the recall training again recently anyways - and he's getting good at it again, I just need to keep it up! And having him start high up and fly nearly straight down has been a wonderful supplement to his training - not to mention so cool to see him do this!!

So here he is at his starting point, on the door to his cage (looking down at me wondering what the heck I'm doing!!). I was on the floor lying down on my back.


And receiving his treat (a bite of an Avicake) - I tried so hard to get him in-flight on his way down but I really need to perfect my camera timing skills while lying down lol.


His first two attempts were interesting - I showed him the treat (cause he didn't have a clue why I was lying on the floor calling him ) and did my usual hand cue and verbal cue. He swooped down and was an inch or two from my hand but he pulled up at the last second. But he got it perfectly on the 3rd try and landed exactly on my hand. We did it 4 or 5 times before his attention was onto something else and we then ended the session.

I love that Winston was there watching the entire time too - I hope to do recall with him someday too.

That looks like a really high starting point- good job Jerry!

Ollie was sort of baffled when I laid down on the floor too, but once she saw that almond she didn't care about anything else!

Yep, Jerry was the same way, as soon as he saw the Avicake he knew what he needed to do

I've switched training treats to the Avicakes since they all go nuts for them. Winston isn't a huge millet fan but he will eagerly eat an Avicake from my hand, and so will Jerry, so that is now my preferred reward of choice.

Sarah, just how easy is it to feed the fids with the cage up ssssooo high?

I have a step stool, otherwise I cannot reach With my step stool feeding and watering is very easy. When I do a thorough cage cleaning I take his cage down, and Winston's also. I can do quick wipedowns while on my step stool.

I have to have them up high because I have 3 cats who are not trustworthy. This is the only way that the cats absolutely cannot get to them (Winston's is up just as high). They really like it up high too, Jerry loves having the top view around corners.

I also am amazed at how high up your cage appears to be.
The 2 of them looking down is really sweet. Good for Jerry! I commiserate about the camera - by the time i push the button the action is started & then the camera responds when it is over.


I'm currently working with Rio - using the end of season fresh grass stalks - he''ll do anything for them. They're getting scarce. He's getting pretty good at stepping up over the past few days. Guess i'll have to find another treat he'll go for. Both of mine like Millet - piggy boys!

Thanks for reminding me to get back to Recall Training. It was great for Laker & helped us enjoy him more & to have something to do with him rather than admiring his pretty colours.

You are quite petite - i bet you use the stool a lot. I've discovered another use for my 6'4" son - getting stuff down from on top of the cupboards.

It's my goal to keep up with the recall again too - I've just picked it up again this past week and Jerry hasn't missed a beat. I'm working with Winston daily too, having him eat from my hand and like you & Rio, trying to get him more consistent with stepping up. Now that I've found a treat that Winston loves (still boggles my mind that he doesn't care for millet) it's going better. I hope to do recall with Winston at some point (he's nowhere near that point yet).

Yes I use my stool every day Dave can feed and water without using it but I need to be able to do that stuff on my own. This is the Rubbermaid stool I use, it stays folded up right next to that armoire that Jerry's cage is on:

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