What should a parrot know?

[Tempest]

So I think I am on a sort of okay track with Kraken regarding food, and she finally splashed about in some water this morning, but I'm still confused about training. She is awesome right now, but I understand that will likely change.

If she were a dog or a horse, I would have a mental list of things I would want her to know, and experiences I would want her to have, but I don't have a list for a parrot. I see lots of things about trick training and about changing bad behavior, but what should we work on to prevent problems later on?

 

[veimar]

The most important first thing to train mine was not to poop on people.

 

[flyingron]

Yep, I was very surprised when I found that Bacca knew to squawk when you're holding her and she needed to poop. You set her down, she poops, and she hops right back up again.

She also knows the "step up" and "step down" commands to when you want her on and off your fingers. Occasionally she'll speak "STEP UP" to us when she wants up.

 

[Ann333]

Ohhh! I'd love some answers to this from experienced people also!

So far what I'm working on is reinforcing step up, I'm trying to potty train him to not poop on mommy, and "mauling" him. I read about mauling before bringing him home, basically working to get him used to you touching him all over his body. I pet his tail and his feet and toenails and under his wings and scratch his beak and under his "chin".

 

[Birdman666]

Same answer as before.

Bite pressure training.

 

[SilverSage]

He should know how to fly down. May seem silly, but birds clipped before proper fledging need to be taught this sometimes. Without this skill an escaped bird who wants to come home often cannot because he simply lacks the skill.

As to the mauling, it is important they let you touch them, but be aware that many of the touches you describe can be sexual, so try to keep it to a minimum once he is good and used to it, especially as he reaches sexual maturity.

I like my birds to know they may not walk up to shoulders without permission, and may. It climb up heads, but that is my personal preference. I like my birds to be familiar with and not fear carriers, towels, strangers, children, nail clippers, or dogs.

 

[Kiwibird]

Step up/down, stick training (will rife on a hand or stick), potty training, towel training (will tolerate being restrained in a towel, for grooming or emergency), bite pressure, car rides, being in public (please restrain in a harness or bird backpack for safety!) and a personal favorite- "yours" (ok for you to rip up/destroy) and "mine" (you best not touch it bird:20. I also don't permit my bird on my shoulder, but many people do so I don't consider it "essential" for everyone, but for me it is.

 

[ToMang07]

Lots of good tips in here, just added a couple "tricks" I'll teach my bird when I get it, thanks!

 

[witchbaby]

Also target training, recall, stay, don't fly to me, fly to perch, and independent play.

(assuming your bird's wings are not clipped)

 

[itchyfeet]

I also don't permit my bird on my shoulder, but many people do so I don't consider it "essential" for everyone, but for me it is.

I don't mind shoulder so much (mind you, Henry is little comparatively), but absolutely unequivocally no birds on my head! I guess it's figuring out your personal boundary, and reinforcing that from early on.