One of the most important
things for a new baby parrot to learn is the "STEP-UP" and "DOWN"
command. As soon as your baby parrot is perching it's time to begin
training sessions daily. The sessions should last only 10-15
minutes each a couple of times a day. Find a place outside of
your birds established territory for training to take place.
Somewhere the bird can focus its attention totally on you away from
all distractions in a quiet room works best.Practice by stepping the
bird from your hand to and from a perch stand or perch tree.
When doing so make sure to be firm when saying "STEP-UP" or
"UP-UP" and the word "Down" when setting the bird back down.
Always put the bird back down with him/her facing towards you
while making eye contact. Do not wear gloves of any kind your
bird needs to learn to trust the bare hand. If the bird isn's tame
you'll need to start with stick training instead of your bare hands.
As the bird learns by using a stick to step up and down you
will be able to graduate to training him/her to step up onto your
hand.
1) Practice "LADDERING" your parrot from hand to
hand while giving the command "STEP-UP".
This command is very useful when correcting a
misbehaving bird. The laddering technique teaches the parrot that
you're the one in charge not them! Keep laddering the bird 6-8
times while firmly saying "UP-UP" until you have gained control of
his/her actions. Then give the command "DOWN" and place the parrot
on his/her stand on in their cage. This practice inspires
cooperation, respect and trust from your parrot. Establishing
guidelines for your parrot from the start will eliminate a lot of
future behavioral problems. Remember parrots are flock
members and "YOU" are the leader of the flock!
2) Always end your training sessions on a positive
note after a successful completion of the commands. Be very careful
not to reinforce negative behavior by giving into an uncooperative
parrot and losing your patience.
3) At the end of each training session always
reward your parrot with lots of praise and enthusiasm. Make sure to
reward him/her with their favorite treat for a job well done. We
often keep unshelled unsalted peanuts handy for trick training and
just give a half of one after each successful lesson.
*These simple commands are one of the most important
things for your baby parrot to learn and will be used daily in order
to enjoy letting your bird out of its cage. In no time at all your
parrot will be calling from it's cage "STEP-UP" &"UP-UP"
wanting you to reach out your hand!
Bird Catalog
Bird Care
