Training....for me!

Leah00 · Nov 23, 2014

Hello! I haven't posted in a really long time. I acquired a Quaker parrot in January of this year. He (I don't know the sex but we say he) turned a year old on October 10th.

I'm wanting to learn how to interact with him better. I feel like I'm awkward with him. I love him dearly and he's a great bird, but all we do when I have him out is sit there. I hold him on my hand, pass him from finger to finger, let him hang out on my shoulder....but that's it. I just don't feel like he's getting much out of it.

ParrotsAhoy · Nov 23, 2014

Id say training/tricks is a great idea! I would start with touch/target training. And then, if he will already 'step up' for you, you can start working on harder stuff like: wave, turn around, kiss, shake, fetch, flight recall if hes flighted. There are lots of websites out there with free info on how to train these tricks, theres also lots of discussions here on the forms (use the search function or just start reading back through all the posts). I know I feel like my Alex is much happier when we work on tricks together instead of him just watching me live my life.

Edited to add:
Heres a few Youtube links to get you started if you'd like videos:
Howcasts videos are clear and easy to watch https://www.youtube.com/user/Howcast/search?query=parrot
Lots of people like GoodBirdInc, shes got some helpful stuff https://www.youtube.com/user/GoodBirdInc/search?query=bird+OR+parrot
These guys do some crazy fun stuff https://www.youtube.com/user/kiliparrot/playlists

EAI · Nov 23, 2014

How long are you keeping him out and how much treats do you give him? Right now it's excellent that he's getting used to passing around but the only thing your'e missing is teaching him that what he's doing is a good thing.

What I like to do for Gizmo is to have him step up (clicker training comes in REALLY handy) and then I click the clicker, give him a quick bite of seeds (I would rather have him eat millet or any other treat but he rather voluntarily eat it) and then a scritch.
After a while start reducing the amount of treats and transition him to learn that doing something good = scritches. I think of it as a "cheaper" alternative, meaning you won't have to excessively buy treats and load him up on the less-healthy foods.

LoryLover · Nov 24, 2014

I have a Lory and when she's out with me, she doing one of these things:

- playing hacky sack on the floor - she will toss it to me, I'll toss or kick it back, and the game goes on and on
- sitting on my leg and talking, nibbling on my skin, I'm playing with her with my hand (she's good with petting)
- sitting on me, preening her feathers
- talking, making noises, and I'm joining in of course!
- laying on my leg, dozing (if she's tired) ... she flattens her body and lays on her tummy on my thigh... (so cute)

Training....for me!

Leah00

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ParrotsAhoy

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EAI

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LoryLover

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