Training a Parrot

[rangeramanda]

Hi, Just wondering is there any good training dvds for birds? I have an Amazon and his only new to me and only 6 months old but sometimes bites me and i want to know the best way to deal with it and the best way to socialise him? Harness and or bird cage? What is the best way to teach them to wear the harness without getting bitten? Thanks

 

[ShellyBorg]

The best is You Tube! its free. Look for the most "Likes"

 

[weco]

Can't help you on the harness, but there are a couple of members around here who have birds in harness, Tab in OZ also figured out how to get her B&G macaw to wear one.....probably a lot of bribery ! ! !

As to training, read up on clicker training, there is a lot of info on the internet & a number of good videos on youtube...if you find some you like, you can always download them & make a custom DVD.....

Good luck.....

 

[tab_xo]

I have no idea about biting, never had to deal with that problem! Yet

But like Weco said, yes, it was bribery!

Fargo will do ANYTHING for a pecan nut, which has made his training super easy..

He was petrified of the harness at first, so for about 6-7 months we took it incredibly slowly, each day just getting the harness closer, then getting him to walk over it, walk through it, head through a big loop, one wing through, the other wing...

But we still hadnt put it on, because i was going TOO slowly, i would keep his head through the loop too long because i was trying to not pressure him..

Turns out, a month ago i just put it on straight away, didnt make a big deal out of it like i usually do, so he had NO time to question what was on him!

We have been out about 10 times now!

This is how i put it on-

Sitting on chair, hold out nut and loop, he reaches head through loop, grabs the nut, and will sit there while i tighten everything up!

So i guess at first i took it very slowly to show him it was safe, so he had no fear, but after that, he needed it on quickly and he was perfect!

 

[rangeramanda]

Awesome idea with the nut and head through the loop. I shall try

I've put the harness in his cage and he hangs off it and plays with it like crazy so that is a start. :=)

 

[weco]

Just watch out he doesn't start chewing on it, in his play, or you'll be sending for a new one.....

 

[MonicaMc]

Barbara Heidenreich for videos...

Susan Friedman, Melinda Johnson, Jim McKendry (for someone "local"), Steve Martin (Natural Encounters), Lara Joseph, Sid Price and websites such as Learning Parrots, Cage Free Parrot, Carly Lu's Flight Blog, etc...


Best way to stop a parrot from biting is to not get bitten in the first place. Don't put the bird in a situation that will result in a bite, and teach behaviors that are inconsistent with biting.