Basics of Parrot Taming and Training - Complete Guide

[SunConure]

Wont the bird get annoyed of not getting its food treat when its time for a reward? How do you make sure petting it and spending time with it would be enough? I also let my bird come out on its own. I usually feed him in the morning and he's always happy to see me. Most of the time he hops out of the cage when I open it. Sometimes he won't step up. Should I just target train him outside the cage as a first step? And can I do the taming exercises first so I can use that as a reward instead? I have bought your clickers and hope to start training him soon.

[Michael]

Unless it is already a super cuddly bird, stick to food treats in the beginning. Go through target training and step up training first. Then you can teach some tricks or taming. After going through the taming stuff you can get to petting. You'll know if the parrot likes it or not. At first it probably won't cause it doesn't know what it is, so you have to give it treats to give you the chance to touch and scratch. But after giving it a try, there is a good chance that it will like it. When the bird keeps putting its head down begging for more, you can start using this more as a reward for good behavior.

Since you are already able to handle the bird, you can begin target training outside the cage. Regardless if the parrot is tame or not, it is a good practice to establish prior to teaching other tricks because it is so simple. Also many tricks are based on this concept.

[SunConure]

Do you ever take your bird out when your not training them?

[Michael]

Sure, but to an extent I consider everything to be training. Aside from formal training sessions, I think it is still important to emphasize good behavior and ignore bad behavior. So if I just have the parrots out and they want a head scratch, I call them to fly over to me rather than me going up to them to give it, etc. Or if I give them a toy it's because they are sitting on their perch being good, not for flying some place I don't want them

[SunConure]

So, pretty much pay attention to the good and reward while out during non training sessions. How long should each session be so the bird doesn't get unmotivated?

[evaleen]

this was the best article that i'v come across. (and i've been searching for 4days!!!)
thanks alot!

[hailey]

Hi Michael i emailed you about my Senegal acting silly when i would talk to her and hold her. i haven't tried letting her touch my skin yet but i am weary about the bite she can definitely pack a punch behind her bite and that makes me nervous. I don't want to jump and make her scared of me.

[Michael]

How old is she?

[hailey]

she is about 4 1/2 from what her previous owner told me.

[Michael]

Then I wouldn't worry about the occasional nibble. Baby Senegals don't bite hard and it's really just exploring with their beaks and not aggressive biting.