Your opinion of parrot training

[Michael]

What do you think of parrot training? Do you believe it is just something that can be done for fun but unnecessary? Or is it mandatory for parrot well being/safety? Do you train your parrot? Why or why not? Do you believe there is something moral or immoral to training or not training?

Just to be clear, let us define training not strictly as performing tricks but as any stimulus/response that is consistently and purposefully rewarded or punished with intent of directing behavior.

[Cage Cleaner]

Necessary. Of course "necessary" is loosely termed, so I will expand. All of the following I consider to be forms of training:

IMO, is it "necessary" for a parrot to know the "step up" command? YES.
IMO, is it "necessary" for a parrot to know what sounds it can use to try to get attention and/or communicate with the "flock" (me)? YES.
IMO is it "necessary" for a parrot to know how much pressure is ok to use with its beak? YES. DEFINITELY.

etc.

Training, essentially, is letting the parrot know what it can do and what it cannot. In other terms, training is the establishment of boundaries as well as expectations. It is letting the wild critter know (against any preconception that his avian brain, not adapted evolutionarily to civilized, human-created interiors, would assume by pure nature simply because of what a parrot is--an undomesticated, essentially wild animal), how to act when in a house he was not made for by nature.

Parrots were not born to live in a cage, or live with humans. They were not made to be dependent on a human provider. They were meant to fly. Outdoors. In some form of jungle somewhere, high above anything else in the forest canopy. This means that a parrot by nature has NO CLUE how to behave when kept as pets. None whatsover. Training is teaching the parrot how to live in captivity.

Training is not trick training. Trick training is something else completely.

I believe that with some birds, trick training can help with minimizing destructive behavior. This is the same way in which training and constant riding helps with a horse's general mentality: It it s the parrot's "job". Of course people say this about foraging and self-play, too, but I believe that trick training is a better way to develop that bond between owner and parrot, as well as establish who is the flock leader.

A parrot who doesn't know who the leader is gets in trouble, in the same way a horse who is trying to take you over gets in trouble. Or a dog. I believe a lot of problematic issues with parrot behavior comes from parrots testing their boundaries, and learning that they can get away with it, then pushing their boundaries more and again getting away with it.

While trick training isn't the one answer to an ill-behaved parrot (correction is), it can help. The trainer gives the commands, the parrot listens. If it behaves, the parrot gets rewarded. This establishes the trainer as the provider as well as the one in charge.

A untrained parrot, left to its own devices, will more likely than not turn destructive in some way or another. Self mutilation of course is extreme (but not uncommon enough to be ignored), but I also include things such as excessive screaming and biting in "destructive behavior."

Now, if one had the perfectly pre-disposed parrot who never thinks about doing these things, then trick training is not necessary. However, for the 99.99999% of us, some form of training is absolutely vital and necessary. Because parrots are not perfectly pre-disposed.

[WVUSAE]

From someone who is quite new to parrots and parrot training, it seems they teach us as much as we teach them. I've only had Mr. Crackers for about a month where he was scared for weeks to now I leave his cage open, he flies directly to my shoulder. While he is still a bit nippy, I can get a pat in now and then. I haven't gotten him to step up as much but he is coming along after living in a pet store in poor conditions for awhile. I keep working with him but he has no interest in target training. Hopefully as we progress, he will be more interested as he has already taken to preening me.

As for necessary, of course it is. Birds will be birds just like humans. I let Mr. Crackers spend time with me as much as he wishes, he is well behaved minus the nip. He goes back in his cage and such without issue although I will still work on his stepping up.

[laducockatiel]

I personally believe, that parrot training is necessary. I don't have my bird on a training diet, because I don't think it is fair for the bird to not be able to eat until training, but training is necessary for mental and physical health of the bird. Training is a bit like a game for the bird and they love it. My cockatiel cant wait for his training sessions, when I let him out, he flies to his perch and waits for me to teach him it stimulates the mind of the bird and I believe that it makes them a lot more clever.

[ginger]

Cage Cleaner said all the things that I think are extremely necessary in order to provide your bird the benefit of a good life. Speaking from my experience in bird rescue, most parrots have an average of between 7 to 11 homes in their lifetime. It is dependent upon the lifespan of the bird. The reasons vary widely as to why parrots are rehomed. But, if they had proper training of the essentials then if the bird had to be rehomed for any reason, it would be a pleasant experience for both the new owner and the bird. Basics are essential in the life of any bird. After all, most were taken out of the nest at about three weeks old and hand reared by humans. Therefore, the birds think that they are humans too. Without proper training there is no hope of a happy life for these beautiful, intelligent creatures. There is absolutely no excuse good enough to not take the time to train basics, as outlined by CageCleaner, Michael and others on this forum. Without basics you and your bird will suffer the consequences. How sad for you both. Please consider taking the little time and effort involved in the basic training. This forum is a great place to get help, advice and information to guide you along the way to a well trained bird. And, you'll be a well trained owner too.

[cml]

I think that you need to teach a parrot boundaries and work on the bond between you. That part of the training, as well as a few good things like step up etc I feel are compulsory.
After that, I think it is up to each and everyone on how to foster their bird, wether they want it to be a free flying family member that only has to behave, or a circus parrot. I think that the important thing is that the parrot and its owner are happy and that they share a nice bond.

So my answer is that I deem it necessary, but that it can be achieved in many ways (also an opinion that Ive got from a lot of breeders and other bird people). Personally, me and Stitch both love trick training and it helps us work on our bond and what is okay, and what isnt.

[liz]

I don't train. I teach the things they need to communcate. The rest they learn as children.

[Conure_Concierge]

As everyone seems to agree; basic handling-training and socialization are a must.

I also believe that Trick Training, although not absolutely necessary, is very useful in positively influencing the behavior, speed of bonding and general happiness of your FID. I'm relatively new to human servitude... excuse me... parrot ownership, but I've noticed a significant improvement in the behavior of both my GCC and my UnCape with the introduction of Trick Training. I believe they appreciate the challenge and intense interactive nature of said training; not to mention the tasty reward-treats.