Training *people* for socialization

[Shelby]

I am posting this under the basic training section because I believe socialization is so important that it is basic. (Does that make sense? ) If this isn't the right place, feel free to move it wherever you need to.

Most of us here know that socialization is vitally important for having a confident, accustomed bird who can handle changes in stride. I was wondering how you all prepare the people involved in a socialization session? In order for socialization to be successful, the people your bird meets have to be calm and and confident. If they are really nervous or jerk their hand away when the bird approaches, I should think that would jeopardize the training session and possibly cause future mistrust of strangers in your bird.

Most of the people I know (and most strangers in public places, such as parks or stores) don't have much experience or knowledge about parrots. Also, if you have a parrot with a large beak, such as a macaw or grey, people might be wary or unsure of how to interact with the animal. Unfortunately, it's not possible to download everything you know about parrots into your friends' brains before socializing your bird with them. So what is the best way to set up a socialization so everyone benefits and feels comfortable? What basics should be covered with the people before the bird even comes out?

[liz]

Tell them he won't bite unless they cause it. Then tell them not to react to a bite no matter how much it hurts or he will bite a second time. That should tell it like it is and then you will find out which one of your friends are brave.

[Grey_Moon]

I actually end up doing quite a bit of improvised outreach with Jacko to little kids seeing as one of the spots to rest along our walking route happens to be the community centre where all the daycamp kids come back to so their parents can pick them up.

The kids of course are very fascinated by her BUT i'm quick to tell them they cannot touch her because she is shy and I don't want her or them to get scared or hurt. I find it works with your average person when you put it into terms they can get. If I was talking to the kids for example, I'd say to imagine how they felt if someone they didn't know came up and hugged them without asking and say they'd probably yell at me to go away or try to push me away because they wouldn't like it or be scared. I then say that because Jacko can't talk that her way of trying to protect herself when she's scared is to bite.
At that point, everyone gets the message and they spend most of the time trying to get her to talk or asking me if she can fly or what she eats or how old she is (or how i know she's about to poop ).

I agree that a socialized bird is a must---and Jacko I think actually enjoys getting accustomed to all these little kids and etc around her. HOWEVER, I do NOT agree that a bird must be able to be passed around like a hot potato. If anything I'd say expecting that is demeaning and a little insulting to a sensitive prey animal like a bird---this is where we must remember they aren't dogs who generally if well-socialized love most people they meet and like petting. How many people would enjoy being forced to hug any stranger that asked for it?

Thus, I think expecting a bird to interact with and step-up onto or make itself vulnerable to someone it does not know well is not respecting the bird. A parrot should be allowed to know and form many trusting bonds with people it knows well---and should be used to being handled by said people. For complete strangers? Give them a treat to feed to the bird OR if you know 100% that your bird likes to be handled by new people and cuddled by new people then let the bird take the lead and only show the person rudimentary he-likes-to-step-onto-a-hand-held-like-this. But generally speaking with sensitive animals inexperienced people should keep hands off, unless the animal is of the temperament to be a teacher. Much like with horses...you wouldn't put a beginner on or let them handle a horse that wasn't so easy going, dead-broke and patient that it was almost happy to teach them what to do---and even then with guidance of someone else much more experienced. Same with parrots I think.

[Grey_Moon]

There was a double post on my part originally---sorry about that.

[Michael]

I began writing a response but it was getting very detailed and long so I decided to make a blog post and video about this instead and will post the link here when it's complete. Great question.

[Shelby]

Thanks Michael! I'm also really looking forward to hearing about how your seminar went.
And thanks for your long response, too, Grey Moon. I bet the kids get a real thrill from hanging out with Jacko!

[pennyandrocky]

i'm having this exact problem with mya everyone is terrified of her even when i explain she's just bluffing when she raises her crown and hisses.with my bluefront i had no problems he got tons of attention from eveyone and penny just lands on whoever he wants and tells them i love you and they are fine with him but they say mya looks evil and won't go near her.

[Michael]

Here you go:

http://TrainedParrot.com/Socialization

[Shelby]

Thanks so much Michael! That was exactly what I needed to know. Getting your birds comfortable with being grabbed by new people is a really good idea and I'm glad you mentioned that. I bet Kili and Truman are favorites at the vet!

[dorp]

Great post Michael