training ducks!

[Duck mommy 2019]

any have any tips for training ducks? or any ideas on what we should teach them? so far we are working on spin, up, and stay

 

[EverythingDucks]

That's a cool idea! You can use hand signals or phrases (I use both) and reward with lots of praise and treats. I've seen some people train their ducks to go to their coop at night. You could also teach them to jump trough a hula-hoop. I haven't trained birds before but i love working with dogs. My dogs know shake, high five, sit, spin, touch, up, lay down, come, stay, backup, speak, and i'm working on a couple others. Send some videos and pictures!

 

[EverythingDucks]

Also, you could teach them to respond to their names

 

[Isaac 0]

Maybe I'm being unoptimistic , but I don't think Ducks are that smart enough to be taught complex commands, teaching them their names?

 

[EverythingDucks]

Maybe I'm being unoptimistic , but I don't think Ducks are that smart enough to be taught complex commands, teaching them their names?

It is possible to do so. I've seen multiple people do it. It just kinda depends on the individual duck and how much time you are willy to spend training.

 

[viennaproto]

Hello there!! In i think 20108, I came across a video on youtube about how to train your ducks to go into their coop at night by themselves. I thought this would be impossible as my ducks never listen much. After doing what the video said, I was able to put this flock into their coop at night all by saying "All ducks go to bed!" and without having to walk out into the field and direct them into the coop. Here is the youtube video if you are interested:

 

[FrostyMilkshake]

I've been wondering how  trainable ducks are. I don't have ducks but I want some. I have heard you can get them to respond to their names. But I have been wondering if you can influence thier behavior through routine, treating or feeding a duck that did well first (obviously don't leave ducks out) but I thought, if ducks enjoy or crave human interaction, perhaps the duck that has the desired behavior is the quickest to get human acknowledgement.
For example, a squawking duck normally gets first acknowledgment by a human who doesn't want ducks to squawk. Because noise draws attention. However, if the quietest duck gets first pet (and all others including squawker still get pets immediately after in order of desired behavior, never leaving anyone out even if they squawk) perhaps this would influence quieter ducks. Or if all ducks were grouchy one day, treat time could be skipped or delayed that day.

I've used these methods successfully on my tiny dogs (and rats too), who used to liked to grab treats out of other's mouths or chase or scream bark by the treat table, which caused some aggressive and bullying behaviors that needed fixed when I had 3 or more animals at a time. If two out of three were doing demanding whine scream barks for treats by the treat table, no one got any that day or normal time of day (delayed which they hate).

Now I can give one dog 3 items in a row with the other two waiting patiently and keeping their eyes on me. ( That isn't the norm, but a test I do time to time) They all know they will always gets something from me, but if they "act up" they are the last to get something which they don't like. They like their treats as quick as possible. But no one is ever left out. Even if they were a butt and had to be told no, wait. Rats too. Some personalities are a little less patient or more passionate though.

Routine for wake up, bed time, potty breaks, and thier kibble have also help kept good behavior and better listening command skills. Sometimes they have to lay down or spin to get treats.

I know dogs and rats aren't ducks but I have been curious about the trainability of a duck.

After seeing this all ducks go to bed video, I am wondering if ducks do well with patterns or rhythm for commands. Has anyone trained ducks to do more than one specific thing? Did you use different patterns or rhythms? I'm not gonna make a duck do an obstacle course lol but I just wonder if you could do a few things with them.