New Owner-Older Bird

[bdarnold84]

Hi Everyone, I am so glad to have found this place. I recently took in a Yellow Naped Amazon (30yrs+/-) and he had never been handled by his prior family. He has taken nicely to perching on my finger and is very quiet (I am not sure if thats good or bad). My question for you guys is a general one: do I train "Atlas" (his name) as if he were a young bird? Or is this a unique situation in which I should not follow the exact guidelines laid out in many training program. I have never had an Amazon, only a cockatiel about 7 years ago. I would welcome ANY input or recommendations that you can provide, as this post serves as a welcome to everyone as well as a yearning desire to train him the best way possible.

Thanks so much for reading this,

Brin

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I don't have personal experience with the situation you are describing, but I do have a fair amount of experience retraining mature horses. Older animals don't learn differently from young ones, the principles are the same, but the main differences are that they may not be as motivated to participate and that they may have learned very well things you wish they didn't know. So I think the main differences in approach you might want to take are to go a bit more slowly and make sure your bird is comfortable with you and that you know what will motivate him to want to work with you. You may need extra patience if he has learned behaviors you want to get rid of, as it can take some time for old behaviors to die out. Good luck!!