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Parrot Training Tips - The UP Command |
By:
Nora Caterino |
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Parrot Training Tips - The UP Command
by Nora Caterino
Training your parrot in a few easy steps should begin with teaching it the "Up" command. This is a basic 'manners' command so training your bird will teach it how to behave and you can easily manage your parrot using this command. This parrot training works with both tamed and untamed parrots.
The process for training your parrot behaviors is much easier when training a hand-fed parrot than training a parrot that is not tame. When you work with an untamed parrot, you'll find it works best to use a spare perch or untreated wooden dowel which is rather long. This will allow the parrot training session to begin without the parrot being asked to step onto your hand at first.
I perform parrot training sessions outside the cage. If that isn't possible, you can perform the process with the parrot inside the cage as long as you have a large door opening and can move the perch about easily. Be sure the selected perch is comfortably sized for the species of parrot you are taming or training.
The second step to watch for when training your parrot, during that very first session; simply place the perch below the bird's breast and above its feet. Say the word "Up" clearly but not loud or your parrot might be startled or scared. As you say the word, move the wooden dowel slightly forward so that your parrot will place a foot on the perch and step onto it.
Once your parrot has successfully stepped onto the perch, or even placed one foot on the perch at first, offer praise. Let your parrot know how pleased you are with love and treats. These steps should be repeated for approximately 10 minutes per session you spend training your bird. If possible, 2 parrot training sessions every day are best. It is not effective to hold one long session. If you can only train your parrot once per day, limit the session to 10 minutes.
Training your parrot is all about consistency! Once your bird steps up onto the perch, do not let it decided it can refuse to perform the behavior. You want your parrot to grasp the idea that it must do something when asked.
When training your bird, provide love, attention, and treats when the bird performs properly. When the bird responds, tell it how pleased you are and how much you love it. A treat can be given at first, but praise and love are the best rewards; tame parrots never get enough!
As your bird gets comfortable stepping on the perch, you can slowly shorten the distance from your hand to the parrot. When training untamed parrots, do not shorten the perch more than one each week or you could stress the parrot, causing loss of trust. Progress slowly but surely toward your parrot training goals.
You will reach a point that the distance from your hand to the parrot on the perch is very small. Once your parrot is comfortable with your hand being that close, begin the final parrot training step - offer your hand or forearm (depending on the parrot's size) instead of the perch. Ask the parrot using the UP command to step onto your hand or arm.
How long training your parrot this behavior requires depends on you, your consistency and your parrot. If the parrot has been stressed or made afraid through abuse or trauma, it can take a long time. If your parrot is simply unfamiliar with you, you must prove to it that you won't hurt it and the process can occur quite quickly.
When training your parrot that was hand-fed, you can count on the entire process being quick and easy. You may even begin with the final step and simply speak the command while asking the parrot to step onto your hand.
Be sure to watch your parrot's body language for clues to the level of trust and level of comfort with the parrot training activities you are doing. Your parrot will generally communicate its comfort level using body language. You simply have to pay attention to the clues.
About the author: Mississippi 'Bird Lady' finally exposes her proven parrot training strategies to stop freakish bird behaviours like parrot screaming and plucking. This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.
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Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article54380.html |
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