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Training Your Parrot: The First Basic Manners Commands

28 13:30:31
Training your parrot in a few easy steps should begin with teaching it the "Up" command. This is a basic 'manners' command so training your bird will teach it how to behave and you can easily manage your parrot using this command. This parrot training works with both tamed and untamed parrots.

The process for training your parrot behaviors is much easier when training a hand-fed parrot than training a parrot that is not tame. When you work with an untamed parrot, you'll find it works best to use a spare perch or untreated wooden dowel which is rather long. This will allow the parrot training session to begin without the parrot being asked to step onto your hand at first.

I perform parrot training sessions outside the cage. If that isn't possible, you can perform the process with the parrot inside the cage as long as you have a large door opening and can move the perch about easily. Be sure the selected perch is comfortably sized for the species of parrot you are taming or training.

In the first session of parrot training, you should position the dowel or perch above the parrot's feet but also below the breast. At the same time, say "Up" clearly. Don't shout or be loud, simply say the word 'Up'. As you speak, slide the dowel slowly toward the bird and it will naturally place a foot on the dowel or perch.

Once the bird steps on the perch reward it with loving sweet praise, telling it what a wonderful parrot it is. Repeat these steps for 10 minutes per parrot training session with two sessions per day if possible. One longer session is not effective; if you can only train your parrot one session per day, stick to 10 minutes.

Training your bird requires consistency in order to be successful. Once your bird has performed the Up command, do not allow it to refuse to respond on cue, yet do not punish it. Simply push the perch toward it a bit more. Your parrot must understand something is expected when you ask it to step up.

When training your parrot let your bird know that you will provide treats, love and attention when the bird steps up. Each time the parrot does the behavior, let it know you are pleased. Treats can be used, but never rely entirely on treats; praise is the greatest reward, especially for tame parrots.

As your parrot becomes comfortable stepping onto the perch, slowly shorten the distance from your hand to the bird. I find that when training untamed parrots, shortening the perch more than once a week can stress them and actually create a loss of the trust you've built. Progress slowly and regular training will help you and your bird accomplish your parrot training goals.

Soon, a day will arrive that you notice the distance from your hand to the bird on the perch is small. After your parrot becomes really comfortable with your hand that nearby, begin the final parrot training step - offer your hand or forearm (depending on the parrot's size) instead of the perch. Ask the parrot, by saying the UP command, to step directly onto your arm or hand.

The time required for training your parrot this behavior depends on your consistency and your parrot. If the parrot was stressed in the past or made afraid through trauma or abuse, it can take quite a long period of consistent training. If your parrot is simply learning about you and building trust, you must prove to it that you won't hurt it and the entire process for parrot training can be successfully completed quite quickly.

When training your bird that was hand-fed, you can reasonably expect the parrot training process to progress quickly. Not long ago, I brought home a baby budgie, just weaned, but not hand-fed. Within one week, he was happily performing the "up" behavior on command whenever I asked him to step up.

You can learn a lot about your bird's level of trust by watching the bird's body language training your bird includes learning to read its communications about comfort levels shown via posture, stance, and other body language elements. Parrot training is much easier if you pay attention to these clues.