Vocalization: Part IV
Adding duration to training and assisting undesired vocalization
By Sheila S. Blanchette, IAABC-CPBC, UW-AAB
As this is the fourth part of reviewing vocalization, here is a quick review of the previous the vocalization blogs:
In Part 1 of the Vocalization Blog (https://www.riparrots.org/education-library/focus-vocalization-part-i) is focused on parrots do vocalize.
In Part 2 of the Vocalization Blog (https://www.riparrots.org/education-library/vocalization-part-ii) is beginning to evaluate the purpose of specific undesired vocalization.
In Part 3 of the Vocalization Blog (https://www.riparrots.org/education-library/vocalization-part-iii) is start of understanding and redirecting undesired vocalization.
Why so many blogs? There is no one-fix-all to undesired vocalization. It is important to research, document, and log when the vocalization happens, so you can start to break the down of why the companion bird is doing that specific behavior. When the vocalization appears to be related to a learned behavior. As noted in Part of the Vocalization, a learned behavior could be:
Antecedent The person leaves the room where the companion bird is located.
Behavior: Companion bird vocalizes
Consequence: The person returns back into the room where the companion bird is located.
The more this action continues, there is a likelihood that the companion bird learns to vocalize to get the human back in the room (because the companion bird would like the person to stay in the room). The learned behavior does not start off as an issue until the person does not respond to the vocalization. The companion bird will start to vocalize longer and/or get louder in a request to have you back into the room. The longer you take to respond, the companion bird learns to vocalize that period of time until you respond or go back to visit the companion bird.
When teaching a new vocalization behavior to replace the undesired vocalization, there are three parts to remember:
Teaching the new vocalization behavior
Getting fluency of the new vocalization behavior
Adding duration of the new vocalization behavior (between vocalization and when you appear)
Practice Reinforcing that new Vocalization
Before you enter the room or become visible to the companion bird, start to make the new vocalization sound.
Just make the sound once or twice, if there is no response, wait for few seconds, then ask again. (This is the antecedent – the starting point of getting the behavior, the words are cuing the behavior)
If the companion bird says any word or repeats the requested vocalization (does not matter if the response does not match what you said), you say “Good job” or “thank you”. (You are saying “Good job” is a marker, denoting to the companion bird that is the behavior. Any vocalization that happens after the marker, do not worry about at this time, you marked the end of the session because you got the behavior).
Once you say, “good job”, you enter into the room, and you can either give more food or take moment for a head scratch or praise. Remember once you say, “Good job”, you have to enter even the undesired vocalization occurs. (The consequence (after the behavior), the companion bird earns encouragement for doing the behavior).
Fluency - Effectiveness of the Training Session
Remember to log (document) the training session:
Before you become visible, though the companion bird can hear you:
New Vocalization Starts
New Vocalization starts and then immediately goes to older vocalization.
No vocalization until seen
2. When I become visible to the companion bird, and I have not said anything
New Vocalization Start
New Vocalization starts and then immediately goes to older vocalization.
Original Vocalization starts and I have to ask for new trained vocalizations.
3. When asking for the new vocalization:
Do not have to ask, it happens immediately
I ask once, then the new vocalization happens immediately
I have to ask twice then the new vocalization happens immediately
Still no luck
If the new vocalization is starting to take hold (even if the older vocalization follows), then review the next steps related to duration. If the older vocalization is starting and you are asking for the new vocalization, go back to the Part 3 of the Vocalization Blog -section: Training Session: Practice Reinforcing that new desired (Acceptable) Vocalization. Double check that the desired consequence is being used to assist in redirecting behavior. (It does take time to relearn a new behavior.)
The key to effectiveness of a training is fluency. “A key task in the phase is to settle on a schedule of added reinforcement that will maintain the behavior adequately and is realistically achievable in the long run. If the behavior ever deteriorates, refresh the training. Also, ensure you refresh the training in the different environments from time to time.”[1]
Duration – Adding assistance to increase success to the Training Session
When the new training becomes repeatable, consistent, and fluent. The next step will be introducing Duration, Distance, and/or Distraction(the 3 D’s) [2] to the training plan.
Science Time:
Duration: teaching latency (delay) in maintaining a behavior before delivery of consequence. Duration is usually related in time (seconds).
For example, related to vocalization:
You ask for the new desired vocalization
The companion bird says any word or repeats the asked vocalization
Wait one second (adding duration)
You say, “Good job” or “thank you”,
Deliver the food reinforcer or take moment for a head scratch or praise, after the one second count.
Instead of immediately giving the reinforcer after repeating the vocalization asked, there is an added one second duration to the training. The reinforcer is not immediately given .
You can either start when the companion bird is in the cage or out.
Select new acceptable vocalization you are going to use such as the companion bird learning to make a whistle or kissing or giggling or sneezing sound. The new vocalization is a verbal sound that your companion bird can make or lower the tone of the current vocalization (anything is fine).
Once you have selected the acceptable vocalization, make the sound, or say the word once or twice, and wait. (This is the antecedent – the starting point of getting the behavior, the words are cuing the behavior)
If the companion bird says any word or anything (does not matter if the response does not match what you said), you immediately say “Good job” or “Thank you” (Or you can use clicker (click) or thumbs up). When the companion bird responds, you are saying “Good job” as a marker (same with clicking in a clicker (using sound to mark the behavior) or doing a thumbs up (as visual marker), denoting to the companion bird that is the correct behavior. Any vocalization that happens after the marker, do not worry about it this time, you marked the end of the session because you got the behavior.
Wait one second (say “One One thousand”)
After saying “Good Job” or “Thank you” and the duration has passed, give the companion bird a quick head scratch (Tactile) or a piece of the yummy item(Food) or Praise Praise (Verbal) . The consequence (after the behavior), the companion bird earns encouragement for doing the behavior.) If the companion does the undesired vocalization after the desired vocalization, either reduce the duration by a second or go back to immediately giving the consequence.
After the quick head scratch or yummy item or praise, try to do another repetition. (Go back to step 3)
Remember: If the companion bird does not do the new behavior, remember to not give the yummy/kiss or scratches item. Take a short break and then try again.
Distance: teaching when asking for a specific behavior, there is distance between the person and the companion bird.
Instead of training the new desired vocalization near the companion bird, the ask for the desired vocalization occurs at a specific distance away. NOTE: The reinforcer is not immediately given (this is why teaching duration is important) as you need to walk closer to give the reinforcer.
Distraction: teaching the companion bird to work through to the desired behavior while a competing reinforcer or commotion is occurring in the environment.
For example, related to vocalization:
You ask for the new vocalization near the companion bird.
Another person walks into the room
The companion bird says any word or repeats the asked vocalization
You say, “Good job” or “thank you”.
Deliver the food reinforcer or take moment for a head scratch or praise, immediately.
Instead of training the new desired vocalization in the perfect set up, the ask for the desired vocalization occurs with an interruption.
Additionally, the change of location of where the companion bird is located can affect training (this is a combination of distance and distraction). In this scenario, the training of new behavior goes back to the original training plan.
For example, related to vocalization.
At the new location, you ask for the new vocalization near the companion bird.
The companion bird says any word or repeats the asked vocalization
You say, “Good job” or “thank you”.
Deliver the food reinforcer or take moment for a head scratch or praise, immediately.
Instead of training the new desired vocalization in the perfect set up, the ask for the desired vocalization occurs with an interruption.
Additionally, the change of location of where the companion bird is located can affect training (this is a combination of distance and distraction). In this scenario, the training of new behavior goes back to the original training plan.
For example, related to vocalization:
You ask for the new vocalization near the companion bird.
Another person walks into the room
The companion bird says any word or repeats the asked vocalization
You say, “Good job” or “thank you”.
Deliver the food reinforcer or take moment for a head scratch or praise, immediately.
Setting Expectation
When redirecting undesired vocalization, it is important to understand that it is not simple that the companion bird learns the new vocalization. The companion bird uses this new vocalization to communicate the need. You should be looking at these training as fun interactions with your companion bird.
“See teaching opportunities instead of punishment opportunities: misbehavior is a lack of information, motivation (weak reinforcers), or practice. An important goal (if not the most important goal) is for animals to respond to our requests because they possess the skills and the motivation to do so, not because they have to. Animals learn something with each and every interaction they have with humans, and what they learn influences how they behave in the future.”[4]
Remember to be a 5-minute Trainer
Training sessions should be short and a couple of times a day; even one time a day is fine. You will find it probably takes longer to set up than it does to do the training itself. This is why I denote in a training plan to be in the mood to train because if you are not ready to train, your bird will not be ready to train.
If training goes too long, on occasion the companion bird will let you know by leaving the training area, no longer taking treats or stop doing the behavior. If you stop the training after one or two repetitions, you are setting up you and your bird success and small progress forward.
Remember to keep the sessions short, have fun, and do not worry if you have a slip backwards, just go back to step with a success and try that again and then end the session.
Training Time: Teach Alternate Vocal Behavior with duration
Start practicing a new alternate vocal behavior before you start the training session:
The human needs to be in the mood to train. If you are not in a happy go [1]lucky mode, do not train. Companion birds can read our body language better than us. If the companion bird sees sluggish, or “Whatever” human body language, the companion bird will not train as well. Okay, you are in a good mood and ready to train.
Important note: When teaching an alternative vocal behavior, everyone in the household must agree to do the training and understand the importance of not going back to the old ways. If anyone continues to reinforce (goes into the room) the undesired vocalization, the harder it will be to train any new behavior.
Training Session: Practice Reinforcing that new desired (Acceptable) Vocalization
You can either start when the companion bird is in the cage or out.
Select new acceptable vocalization you are going to use such as the companion bird learning to make a whistle or kissing or giggling or sneezing sound. The new vocalization is a verbal sound that your companion bird can make or lower the tone of the current vocalization (anything is fine).
Once you have selected the acceptable vocalization, make the sound, or say the word once or twice, and wait. (This is the antecedent – the starting point of getting the behavior, the words are cuing the behavior)
If the companion bird says any word or anything (does not matter if the response does not match what you said), you immediately say “Good job” or “Thank you” (Or you can use clicker (click) or thumbs up). When the companion bird responds, you are saying “Good job” as a marker (same with clicking in a clicker (using sound to mark the behavior) or doing a thumbs up (as visual marker), denoting to the companion bird that is the correct behavior. Any vocalization that happens after the marker, do not worry about it this time, you marked the end of the session because you got the behavior.
Wait one second (say “One One thousand”)
After saying “Good Job” or “Thank you” and the duration has passed, give the companion bird a quick head scratch (Tactile) or a piece of the yummy item(Food) or Praise Praise (Verbal) . The consequence (after the behavior), the companion bird earns encouragement for doing the behavior. If the companion does the undesired vocalization after the desired vocalization, either reduce the duration by a second or go back to immediately giving the consequence.
After the quick head scratch or yummy item or praise, try to do another repetition. (Go back to step 3) Remember: If the companion bird does not do the new behavior, remember to not give the yummy/kiss or scratches item. Take a short break and then try again.
Notes:
Try to get at least 3 sessions at that duration, where the companion bird makes a desirable vocalization when you initiate it.
If the companion bird just makes the undesired vocalization, end that session and try a different game to play so the companion bird gets a success to be with you.
When you finish the session and the companion bird continues saying the words, and you can say “Good job” or “Thank you” but no other items.
Increase the duration by 1 second, when the companion bird makes the desired vocalization and no other noise until the reinforcer is given.
Start practicing a new alternate behavior with duration
In some cases, teaching an alternate vocalization behavior may seem futile (as you are not seeing success, even a small ones). In this training, you will teach a companion bird to do an alternate behavior like ringing a bell.
Before you start the training session:
The human needs to be in the mood to train. If you are not in a happy go lucky mode, do not train. Companion Birds can read our body language better than us. If the companion bird sees sluggish, or “Whatever” human body language, the companion bird will not train as well. Okay, you are in a good mood and ready to train.
Training Session: Practice Reinforcing that new desired (Acceptable) Behavior
You can either start when the companion bird is in the cage or out.
Add a bell near the location of the food bowl to start (to make the training steps more successful)
Just touch the bell (but do not make it ring, you do not want to scare the companion bird). (This is the antecedent – the starting point of getting the behavior, the words are cuing the behavior)
When the companion bird touches the bell, you immediately say “Good job” or “Thank you” (Or you can use clicker (click) or thumbs up). When the companion bird responds, you are saying “Good job” as a marker (same with clicking in a clicker (using sound to mark the behavior) or doing a thumbs up (as visual marker), denoting to the companion bird that is the correct behavior. Any vocalization that happens after the marker, do not worry about it this time, you marked the end of the session because you got the behavior.
Wait one second (say “One One thousand”)
After saying “Good Job” or “Thank you” and the duration, give the companion bird a quick head scratch (Tactile) or a piece of the yummy item(Food) or Praise Praise (Verbal) . The consequence (after the behavior), the companion bird earns encouragement for doing the behavior. If the companion does the undesired vocalization after the desired vocalization, either reduce the duration by a second or go back to immediately giving the consequence.
After the quick head scratch or yummy item or praise, try to do one more repetition. (Go back to step 3).
Remember: If the companion bird does not do the new behavior, remember to not give the yummy/kiss or scratches item. Take a short break and then try again.
See if you can get at least 3 sessions, where the companion bird moves closer to the bell or at least investigates the bell
If the companion bird is nervous about the bell, you can take it out after each training session,
When you finish the session, and the companion bird starts to play with the bell, and you can say “Good job” or “Thank you” but no other items.
Remember: If the companion bird does not do the new behavior, remember to not give the yummy/kiss or scratches item. Take a short break and then try again.
Notes:
Try to get at least 3 sessions at that duration, where the companion bird makes a desirable vocalization when you initiate it.
If the companion bird is nervous about the bell, you can take it out after each training session,
When you finish the session, and the companion bird starts to play with the bell, and you can say “Good job” or “Thank you” but no other items.
Increase the duration by 1 second, when the companion bird rings the bell, and the bird does not leave the area or make any noise until the reinforcer is given.
As I finish this last installment of vocalization, the key takeaway from this series of blogs is that by understanding and researching the purpose of the undesired behavior, there are tools to evaluate and resolve or reduce the behavior. With patience, planning, and practice undesired vocalizations can be redirected to a desired behavior and on occasion, there may be days you have to wear ear plugs. In the end, you will have a wonderful avian-human bond because you took the time to evaluate the purpose of the undesired vocalization and becoming your companion bird’s advocate by teaching enrichment and fun training.
References:
[1] O’Heare, James, The Science and Technology of Animal Training, 2015
[2] O’Heare, James, The Science and Technology of Animal Training, 2015
[3] SaraTorres Ortiz, Simeon Q. Smeele, Juliette Champenois & Auguste M. P. von Bayern, Memory for own actions in parrots, Scientific Reports, (2022) 12:20561
[4] Dr. Susan G Friedman, PARROT Do Tell, PsittaScene August 2010 (14 -17)
Copyrighted. Blog posts may be used as guidelines for the proper care of your parrot. Not intended for medical or legal advice. Please consult with a licensed avian veterinarian regarding the medical care and wellbeing of your exotic pets.