Addicted to pistachios

[GreenWing]

I train with pistachios rather than sunflower seeds (because we all know sunflower seeds are MEGA addicting to parrots) and now my Grey says "Nut" - in her usual commanding way - and she is eating less of her own food because she wants MOAR of the pistachios.

I am starting to give them less and am considering almonds to train with, are they better and less "addictive"?

[Pajarita]

I don't think so. It's true that they have preferences and would, given the choice, pick up one nut over another but I don't think she is going to be less demanding just because you switch the type of nut. Have you tried breaking each nut into small pieces? Also, if she is getting filled up with the training treats, you might be training too long. I don't use anything but praise and scritches except at the very beginning when I am teaching them to step up (if they don't already know). I am not into tricks, my commands are all about cohabiting peacefully or getting them to trust me so, to me, training is done all the time that I am interacting with them or working in the birdroom and, as I repeat the same things over and over, day after day, scolding them when they do something wrong and praising them when they do it right, they learn.

[GreenWing]

I don't think so. It's true that they have preferences and would, given the choice, pick up one nut over another but I don't think she is going to be less demanding just because you switch the type of nut. Have you tried breaking each nut into small pieces? Also, if she is getting filled up with the training treats, you might be training too long. I don't use anything but praise and scritches except at the very beginning when I am teaching them to step up (if they don't already know). I am not into tricks, my commands are all about cohabiting peacefully or getting them to trust me so, to me, training is done all the time that I am interacting with them or working in the birdroom and, as I repeat the same things over and over, day after day, scolding them when they do something wrong and praising them when they do it right, they learn.

That is great advice, thank you. I should give head scratches and clap instead of giving nuts... maybe save the pistachios for special trainings only.

[Pajarita]

Well, she is now used to getting a treat so you can't just go cold turkey. It would not be fair to her and would confuse her. What I would do is give command, praise, scritch, give a very small treat - give command, praise, scratch, no treat - give command, praise, scritch, give small treat. Not necessarily alternating one with, one without but keeping it kind of uneven and gradually decrease the amounts of treats until she only gets one or two during the entire training session. In truth, treats work great but they are only necessary at the beginning because, once they love you to pieces, they are willing to do what you ask as long as you are not pestering them, of course -LOL

[bird_turd]

Pistachois are usually salty.Almonds are better and most parrots love them.

[Wolf]

Pistachois are usually salty.Almonds are better and most parrots love them.

Not if you purchase unsalted pistachios.