Rules to teach your parrot

ann · Aug 20, 2013

OK, I had the idea to make a thread where everyone can post a certain rule they teach their parrot(s). You can repeat other rules for emphasis, or post something different. They idea is to have a list of things we think help our relationships with our birds, so we can learn from each other.

One rule I teach my nanday conure is never to bite my nails. He could easily bend one back or crack it if he got it the right way. Its a little thing but it definitely helps.

Mare Miller · Aug 20, 2013

My Umbrella and Goffin's cockatoos know the word "no". Not by any other way except a sharp little word. It catches their attention, quickly, then changes their direction in thought.

Poppetsmum · Aug 20, 2013

This thread is a great idea.

My absolute number one rule is 'no contact' when giving kisses. My Quaker makes cute little kiss sounds when asked for a kiss and we get close but never make contact. I once fostered a Blue Front who's owners had got rid of him because he quite literally (in a hormonal hissy fit) bit through the husbands bottom lip. I know my Quaker is tiny by comparison but I never forgot that mans disfigured face.

forbey · Aug 20, 2013

Haen't gotten to this point yet, but my daughter's new addition, a 6-yr old CAG needs to learn boundaries.

1. No taking food out of other people's mouths!
2. It's not nice to walk on people's dinner plates!
3. Refer to Dog rule #1 ... don't bite the hand that feeds you!

DallyTsuka · Aug 20, 2013

with munch, i have to consistently remind her to "be gentle" when she is nibbling my fingers, sometimes she gets carried away by grooming me and nips a little hard. surprisingly, she understands "be gentle" and listens well.

Featheredsamurai · Aug 20, 2013

I also like to use the phrase be gentle, it's a reminder to them of how powerful their beaks are. The other day Kenji bit me a little to hard then yelled "don't you chew on that! Baaaad buuuurd" LOL

Stay off each others cages, don't want anyone loosing toes

Mama4life · Aug 20, 2013

I use the words "be nice" then say "kisses" and it redirects them to a more positive activity. Also when screaming or being way to loud is going on I say "shhhh, babies are sleeping" and they go shhhhh lol so also with the biting to hard not nessarly biting but too much pressure I tell them no biting be nice then redirect again with kisses. I do kiss their beaks but I hold the beak so I have the control and they love the kisses!

tab_xo · Aug 21, 2013

This may sound silly but i actually taught Fargo the whole '1...2.... Dont make me say 3' rule... like people use on children

and it works.. i couldnt believe it.. he caught on very quickly...

If he is doing something he shouldnt, i will say Fargo.. 1...... he keeps doing it.. 2..... and then he will look at me, and go do something else..
IF i say 3, he has a time out in his cage..

He figured it out incredibly fast

Rules with me is no eating my food, he now waits next to me for me to give him a piece instead of climbing all over me!
and no helping me when i clean.. He must stay on his play gym while i clean his cage, otherwise he is just a nuisance

Going on the desk is not allowed, after 2 broken keyboards, he isnt to step foot on my desk

Thats about it, i dont have a problem with him screaming or biting yet, so haven't need to have rules for that

Calace · Aug 21, 2013

tab_xo said:
This may sound silly but i actually taught Fargo the whole '1...2.... Dont make me say 3' rule... like people use on children

and it works.. i couldnt believe it.. he caught on very quickly...

If he is doing something he shouldnt, i will say Fargo.. 1...... he keeps doing it.. 2..... and then he will look at me, and go do something else..
IF i say 3, he has a time out in his cage..

He figured it out incredibly fast

Could you stop by and teach my kids? They don't seem to understand this concept! LOL

Betrisher · Aug 21, 2013

The Beaks have *finally* learned not to chomp my earrings (three pairs later) and they've almost learned to leave my glasses alone. Unfortunately, that hasn't stopped them from attacking other people's earrings and glasses! We'll have to work on that...

tab_xo · Aug 21, 2013

Calace said:
Could you stop by and teach my kids? They don't seem to understand this concept! LOL

Can i stick them in a cage for time outs?

Kalidasa · Aug 21, 2013

My main rule lately is for the conure not to hang out on top of the budgie cage, and vice-versa. I haven't had to do a time-out in a long time until I caught the conure exploring the budgie cage. They can go anywhere but on the wrong cage. So far, so good.

ann · Aug 21, 2013

Lol conure are so nosy!
Tab, I love your 123 rule! I can just picture Fargo's face when you say 2

I always ladder black jack when he bites. I just have him step up about three times, then I sternly say "no bite" and then give him "the cold shoulder" for a few minutes. OK more like seconds, its impossible to stay mad at him when he's tugging your finger so he can flip over for belly rubs

kiwiS · Aug 21, 2013

I am going to try that 1,2, 3 thing with Kiwi! That's very smart...I hope it works!

So far she knows that she absolutely cannot chew on my glasses, or my fingernails - she doesn't even try with my glasses anymore, fingernails..maybe 80% of the time. No hard pinches are tolerated either, those are getting less common. I'm also teaching her that she cannot climb down and eat or drink what I'm eating/drinking unless I offer it to her. That one is a challenge so hopefully 1,2,3 will work!

sofiaee · Aug 21, 2013

I should probably make the no eating my food a rule for Oliver. I don't really mind when he eats with me but my family does not like when he tries to steal their food. So for their sake I'll be trying to make that a new rule!

One rule I have is to stay away from plants. Oliver doesn't follow this rule though. I also need to get him to stop flying at strangers heads!

Pajarita · Aug 21, 2013

I only have one rule: No attacking me.

Calace · Aug 21, 2013

tab_xo said:
Calace said:

Could you stop by and teach my kids? They don't seem to understand this concept! LOL

Click to expand...

Can i stick them in a cage for time outs?

I have no problem with that!

DOCS on the other hand may..... :smile009:

BoomBoom · Aug 22, 2013

Sadly, I have lots of rules for Boomer. No pooping or wiping his beak on me - only ok to do on his poop perch or tree stand. No chewing window screens, furniture, electrical cords. No biting too hard. The computer desk, tv and stove are off limits. It sounds bad, all these rules but I kind of have to. He is a devil in sun conure's clothing who would get into too much trouble without boundaries.

He acknowledges a firm "NO" or "HEY" and will drop whatever mischief he is on. Only he forgets I reprimanded him after a few minutes and gets right back to it LOL! If he hears me do a loud sigh, he knows he is in big trouble and flies down my shirt to hide.

ann · Aug 22, 2013

BoomBoom said:
He acknowledges a firm "NO" or "HEY" and will drop whatever mischief he is on.

Lol I do the same with black jack, except he stops, looks at me, pauses, and then goes right back to it. Its like he thinks "maybe if I pretend to stop, she'll forget what I'm doing":54:

GinaF · Aug 23, 2013

My list is building.

1.) No screaming! Indoor voices indoors. The neighbors don't want to hear your stories.
2.) My food is MY food. That means when I leave the room I don't come back to find you beak deep in something I intended to eat.
3.) The cage feeder is NOT a megaphone. You're a parrot. Not a cheerleader.
4.) Just because you want it doesn't mean you can have it. That was my clicker.

I'll add on to this later...

Rules to teach your parrot

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