Handy to teach


Some things are very handy for example to handle your parrot in case it is sick and needs to see a vet. Other things are just part of socialization. I will name eight things that could be of any use to you..

1

Teach your parrot to step up to your hand and down on command. This is considered a basic training. When they do step up, praise them. Don't punish them when they don't step up or down. When my birds had to learn this I put my hand against their chest. 

2
If you want to take your parrot outside it'll have to learn that from the very start. You can either choose for holding its legs, or the harnass. I haven't got much experience with the harnass as Zazu really hates it and hold Iago to his legs. Iago has been going with me since he was a baby. I had to go by public traffic then (bus, tram, metro) and he is used to a lot of noise and strange surroundings!  

3
Teach your parrot to play with its toys. You can make the toy more interesting by handling it in front of the parrot. Pretend that your parrot isn't there. It is most easy when someone can help you. Then the two of you can pretend the toy is very very interesting. Bet your parrot likes the toy now?

4
If you are giving your parrot seeds it is of high importance that you learn your parrot to eat a variety of foods. Again, you can make this newly introduced food much more attractive by not giving it to the parrot instantly. First eat some of it yourself while standing in front of the parrot. Give some of it to the person who assists you if you have anyone near you. After some time you can offer some to your parrot. The parrot will consider the food much more interesting now.
I tried this with my senegal parrot and after half an hour (or less) he was eating this food! Normally he would have left this alone in his bowl and rather starve for one and a half day than eating this 'funny' food!
As parrots are curious, social and smart creatures, they really want to know what you are holding, what's so interesting etc. They hate it when you are doing something and they cannot participate. Take advantage of this!

5
Teach them not to go and sit on your shoulder as the bird is in a dominant position then. Also, a bite can cause severe injuries.

6
Learn them that towels aren't something scary. Towels are not just things that are used when there has to be done something not-nice like clipping, but it's also very nice to be in a towel. I started with playing peek a boo with the towel. After that I put the towel around the bird, walking through the house and showing all things and telling what I see. I cuddle my parrots very much when they are in a towel and I usually I grab a treat, since they had to learn that being in a towel CAN be fun!
Make sure you use an old towel as they usually knibble on the towel, which results in a total detroyed towel!
 
7
Learn your feathered friend to eat from a spoon. This can be handy in the future when you have to give it medication.

8
Teach your parrot to do the belly-up roll as this could be handy in the future when you might be visiting a vet. The vet can easily examine and groom the bird in this position. Gently hold your bird with one hand and cup its back with the other hand. Start rolling and tell the bird you are going to roll it over. In this way your parrot'll know what is coming.
 


www.fluffies.org
Copyright © 2001- 2005 All About Parrots & Alles over papegaaien
All About Parrots  interactive & Alles over papegaaien interactief
All rights reserved.
No content may be used or reproduced without the author's written permission