My Parrot Outsmarted Me During Training

[harrisonowen]

So I’ve been training my African Grey, Coco, for a few weeks now using basic commands and positive reinforcement. Everything was going smoothly—“step up,” “turn around,” and even “wave” were going great. But last week, something unexpected happened that showed me just how clever (and cheeky) parrots can be.


Coco had learned to mimic the sound of my phone’s alarm—the exact tone I use to end training sessions. During one session, just when I was about to reward him for completing a trick, he let out the alarm sound himself! I was so caught off guard, I laughed and ended the session without giving him the treat. The next day, he did it again—right before the treat! That’s when I realized he was using it as a shortcut to end the session and get his reward early.


It was hilarious but also a wake-up call that these birds really do observe and manipulate patterns. Since then, I’ve had to mix things up during training to stay one step ahead. Has anyone else had their parrot pull a fast one on them like this? I'd love to hear your stories!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

You should give him the treat for being such a big thinker (for a parrot)!

 

[rheashard2]

So I’ve been training my African Grey, Coco, for a few weeks now using basic commands and positive reinforcement. Everything was going smoothly—“step up,” “turn around,” and even “wave” were going great. But last week, something unexpected happened that showed me just how clever (and cheeky) parrots can be.


Coco had learned to mimic the sound of my phone’s alarm—the exact tone I use to end training sessions. During one session, just when I was about to reward him for completing a trick, he let out the alarm sound himself! I was so caught off guard, I laughed and ended the session without giving him the treat. The next day, he did it again—right before the treat! That’s when I realized he was using it as a shortcut to end the session and get his reward early.


It was hilarious but also a wake-up call that these birds really do observe and manipulate patterns. Since then, I’ve had to mix things up during training to stay one step ahead. Has anyone else had their parrot pull a fast one on them like this? I'd love to hear your stories!

Welcome to your CAG's world of  owner training! That's why I stopped clicker training my CAG! I'd get a click, told to 'step up girl...come on...now off' and more. Clicker is now a permanent resident in my junk drawer. Enjoy and have fun.

 

[wrench13]

As you might know by now, parrots are well acquainted with the concept of cheating! Salty tries to cheat when it comes to doing tricks and training all the time. IF there are 5 little rings he has to give me before he gets a treat, he will try and scoop up all 5 at once, in order to get his reward quicker. Stuff like that is a common occurrence in our training.

 

[GaleriaGila]

What Wrenchie said!

Also, a few decades ago, the Rb had me convinced hat his left leg was wounded/damaged. He refused to use it in stepping onto perches or anything else, necessitating my various bizarre strategies to help. Well! My avian vet then demonstrated that the Rb readily stepped, performed, moved JUST FINE in her hands, while he maintained his "I'm crippled!" thing with me. I asserted myself, and he was back to normal within five minutes. Who knows how he happened on to the 'prank' initially...

Brat.

*sigh*

 

[rheashard2]

What Wrenchie said!

Also, a few decades ago, the Rb had me convinced hat his left leg was wounded/damaged. He refused to use it in stepping onto perches or anything else, necessitating my various bizarre strategies to help. Well! My avian vet then demonstrated that the Rb readily stepped, performed, moved JUST FINE in her hands, while he maintained his "I'm crippled!" thing with me. I asserted myself, and he was back to normal within five minutes. Who knows how he happened on to the 'prank' initially...

Brat.

*sigh*

How about your CAG, coughing, wheezing, gagging and trying to force up mucous when you get home from work. A rush to vet for severely ill bird. I worked critical care. I know what that kind of breathing means. Well instead of an ill bird, I received a lecture on avian respiratory system and a well visit charge. My follow up instructions were to take CAG home with normal care. I was then to proceed for nearest clinic, ER etc because I needed help! Yup, bronchial pneumonia! My CAG diagnosed me perfectly!

 

[onamom]

So funny!! They never cease to entertain and amaze me.

Ona doesn't often try to cheat during our tricks but one antic she does with my dog... she actually just did a few min ago. She knows when one of my dogs is out she has to be in her cage and they are never out together. So sometimes she will intentionally try to "bait" the dog to get him to notice her because she knows it gets him in trouble and separated!! She goes to the lower cage bars, looks at him, and talks to him. Brat! She seems very pleased with herself if he falls for it and he gets in trouble.

 

[rheashard2]

It is funny how much the feathered know and apply to situations. There's more then one occasion I suspect that they're a lot smarter. They simply process things differently. A dog will go after the knob. Slow but can be effective except when locked. A parrot will realize it's locked. Then scrutinize the lock, hinges, door material then proceed from there.

 

[clark_conure]

Two of my cages my sun conure can get out of in a few minutes he's just that strong. One is a door over the cup cage the other is a lift the lever to open the pin kind of cage. They can be genius if given the opportunity. You're like you are being punished......2 minutes later they are on your shoulder....."hi!"