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Check out Rebecca's article!

Every year Bowtie comes out with a BirdsUSA annual. There’s always good stuff in it! Including the occasional contribution by yours truly. This year I had an article in about what you should think about training a new bird and a few things your really ought to avoid training a new bird.

From the opening of the article:

There are hundreds of things you might teach a parrot to prepare him for the future and you have many years to help him with the tools and the skills that he needs. You can train specific things such as to go into a crate or to wave on cue. There are several specific behaviors that you should work on right away. Overall however, training is every interaction you have with your parrot.

Your most important task as a parrot owner is to learn to be mindful when you interact with your parrot. Every time you give your parrot attention or a treat you are saying to your bird, “I like it when you do that. When you do that I will come pay attention to you or give you something you like.” This is probably what gets parrot owners into the most trouble. Who hasn’t walked up to a screaming parrot and said, “hush”? It’s natural. However, all your parrot has to go on is your actions. Your actions are far clearer than your words to a parrot. When you say, “hush” all you parrot understands is that the screaming got you to come pay attention to him.

Shaping good behavior is just as easy as shaping bad behavior and an incredibly important skill to learn. It is not about controlling your parrot, but rather, giving your parrot clear communication about the behavior you do or not appreciate. If you can clearly communicate to your bird what you appreciate the most, he has an opportunity to control his world with behaviors you like. Everybody wins and your relationship stays positive. So what should you start by encouraging?

Next time you’re in PetSmart, PetCo or your favorite local bird store. (Mine is this one. I just saw BirdsUSA there last week) Be sure to grab a copy. It’ll be worth the read!