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Training
Before you begin to handle your bird, make sure it has had an apropriate adjustment period where he is allowed to simply take in his surroundings. Birds are easily stressed and the big move can be very unsettling. After this you begin the most basic of training your bird by getting it to stand on your hand. Offer the
bird your finger(s) at breast level, (of the bird now), and gently push in and up. The first
thing your bird will do more than likely is give you a bite. DO NOT PULL BACK! A birds
beak is like a third hand and they will test a surface before perching on
it to be sure it is stable enough. Your skin will give some and the bird will test the rigidity
of your finger before climbing on. It should then step on to your hand. A birds natural
tendency is to move to higher locations if possible so keep your arm more or less vertical
to keep it from walking up your arm and onto your shoulder. It is fine to have the bird on
your shoulder if you wish, but having the bird above your eye level will place the bird in a
position of dominance. Caution to the ladies, (and some men I guess), watch those
earrings, or nose rings, or whatever kind of rings you have. The birdie will like those
very much, and may try and forcibly remove them, leaving you in some amount of pain! After standing
on your hand we move on to your bird to allowing you to pet him. Always
approach your bird from the front. Natural enemies of an amazon attack from the rear and
above, so, naturally they do not like being approached in this manner. Petting in the breast
area should be avoided because they associate this with stepping on your finger and this
can break down your earlier training. A well adjusted bird should love having its neck
scratched and frequently will bend his neck and fluff the feathers around his neck to give
you access. when your bird does this you are making much progress.
Potty Training?
Yes, potty train. Start by observing your bird, you will be able to tell when it is about tolet fly. Find a command that you like such as "go potty" and when it goes in the cage offer
showering praises to the bird and or a favorite treat. Before long your bird will almost go
on command. Now this will not keep accidents totally from happening because, well,
when ya gotta go, you gotta go! Use this when you are taking the bird out to visit for an
extended period of time. Have him go in the cage before removal and periodically bring it
back while out to prevent accidents.
The Bells and Whistles
Training your bird to whistle and talk is straightforward. Simply repeat over and overwhat you want him to say or whistle. It is in their nature to mimic, so, they will. You
know they are about to "get" it when you catch them mumbling to themselves. They are
practicing in essence. When they finally do say it, shower with kind words and or a treat.
Whistles and noises are picked up much more rapidly than words, so this is easier. Also if
you have other household pets I almost guarantee that the parrot will imitate these as well.
My parrot can do the cat better than the cat can, and fools me everytime. unavoidably
your bird will pick up something’s you rather it hadn't, such as, the dog barking, baby
crying, or shouting out the name of family members. There isn't much you can do about
that other than forgoing the praise and hoping it drops it from its vocabulary.
Manners
Manners should be taught to your bird just as your children. If eating at the table forexample, do not tolerate walking on the table and sampling from everyone’s plate. If
necessary remove the bird to his cage with a Disapproving no. Other bad habits such as
biting, or screaming, or chewing on the drapes should be treated in the same manner.
Although a small rap on the beak is not out of line, Never hit the bird! Yes they are hardy
but not hardy enough to sustain a blow from an angry human. There has been more than
one bird killed by a owner in an angry state over a bite. The best way to correct a bird
from biting is to rapidly drop the hand on which the bird is perched. This will throw him
off balance and he will have to let go. A few times of this along with a stern "no" should
get your message across. Pulling back the finger or grabbing the beak will only add to
your injury.
Tricks
The most intimate thing a bird can give you is lying on it's back. They do not do this inthe wild and a bird that will do this trusts you implicitly. I started this trick I call being a
baby bird by first having my bird "shake". After grasping the birds foot I then pick him up
by that foot so that he is hanging by it. I place a hand under his back and lie him down on
it. Eventually you work to having him let go with his feet and lie on his back either
cradled on you arm or in your lap. After this it is a small step to lie him on the couch, bed,
or floor. This trick has the added benefit of making nail clipping time much easier.
Unfortunately that's about all I have in the trick department, but I'll add em if I get em!
