6 Things You Need Before You Start Training Your Parrot
Do you want to know more about training techniques such as Clicker Training, Target Training, Positive Reinforcements, and Approximations? It's coming soon so subscribe to my blog so you will not miss it. Or join our mailing list HERE.
For your convenience, you will find the links to the products I talk about in this article. I post them because I like them, not for a commission.
You want to be prepared to reward your parrot when they do what you ask. The easiest way to do this is by positively reinforcing their good behavior with food!
Kiwi (my parrot) loves these Banana Chips! You can have Gerbs Banana Chips Unsweetened, 1 LB – Unsulfured & Preservative Free
shipped straight to your door from Amazon. Can You Say EASY?! Oh and they are food grade so it's okay if you snack on them as well. You don't want your parrot to get full, instead, keep them wanting more during training, so only give them a little. I break the pieces into large crumb sizes.
Some people use millet to feed their parrot as a reward. You can give one tiny grain to your parrot each time he/she performs a positive behavior.
When choosing a food to give to your parrot for training, pick something healthy, organic is always best. Look at the list of ingredients and be sure it's sugar-free. If your not sure if something is safe for a parrot to eat, ask your avian vet or check our list of safe & dangerous foods. CLICK HERE.
Here's the description from Amazon: "The Terry Ryan Treat Pouch features a super strong hinge that stays open for easy access to food or toys. In addition to creating quick and easy access to treats, the pouch easily closes with a touch and stays closed, keeping dog noses out. The belt is adjustable and detachable, giving you the option to simply clip the pouch onto your belt or pocket. Storage pocket is large enough to fit your entire hand and an additional zippered pocket is the perfect size for holding money, ID or your pack of gum. Key ring keeps your clicker, whistle, or keys handy. Features water resistant lining for easy cleaning and is machine washable. Includes a Training Tips booklet by Terry Ryan."
If you are thinking of clicker training, you will want to get a good clicker. I love my big button clicker. It's easy to click and the wrist band keeps it easy to carry. You can get your Liobaba Animal Pet Dog Training Clicker with Wrist Bands Strap, Assorted Color Dog Clickers for Pet Dog Training
on Amazon.
Be sure to get a good big button clicker. They are not expensive and much easier to use than some other versions.
makes target training easy. It has a telescoping arm so it's easy to store and you can use it short or fulling extended for larger movements. Don't forget, keep reading this blog to learn more about target training.
The bright color and design of the COA Target Stick is definitely best for training but if you have a tight budget or your want to start target training before your COA Target Stick arrives, you can use anything as a target. I started target training Kiwi with a chopstick! It worked great! Just make sure you don't use something too sharp in case your parrot luges at it.
Here's the Amazon description: The COA Target Stick is a key accessory for clicker training. A soft rubber bulb provides a visual target to guide the dog. Also retracts to a convenient size for transport in your pocket or treat bag. COA training products are used every day at Dr. Roger Mugford’s Training and Behavior Centre and, through this environment, we have created a comprehensive training range that enables owners and trainers to teach a dog anything from a simple sit, through to advanced tricks.
#6 Your Parrot's Favorite Food
You want to be prepared to reward your parrot when they do what you ask. The easiest way to do this is by positively reinforcing their good behavior with food!
Kiwi (my parrot) loves these Banana Chips! You can have Gerbs Banana Chips Unsweetened, 1 LB – Unsulfured & Preservative Free
shipped straight to your door from Amazon. Can You Say EASY?! Oh and they are food grade so it's okay if you snack on them as well. You don't want your parrot to get full, instead, keep them wanting more during training, so only give them a little. I break the pieces into large crumb sizes.Some people use millet to feed their parrot as a reward. You can give one tiny grain to your parrot each time he/she performs a positive behavior.
When choosing a food to give to your parrot for training, pick something healthy, organic is always best. Look at the list of ingredients and be sure it's sugar-free. If your not sure if something is safe for a parrot to eat, ask your avian vet or check our list of safe & dangerous foods. CLICK HERE.
#5 Training Pouch
What better way to say "Yeah, I know what I'm doing" then with a training pouch. Not only will your parrot respect you for wearing it, but it will also be a great place to keep all those little pieces of treats.
I especially love the Karen Pryor Clicker Training Black Treat Pouch by Terry Ryan. The bag closes easily and has an exterior zipper pocket you can keep extra things like your clicker (keep reading to learn more about clickers).Here's the description from Amazon: "The Terry Ryan Treat Pouch features a super strong hinge that stays open for easy access to food or toys. In addition to creating quick and easy access to treats, the pouch easily closes with a touch and stays closed, keeping dog noses out. The belt is adjustable and detachable, giving you the option to simply clip the pouch onto your belt or pocket. Storage pocket is large enough to fit your entire hand and an additional zippered pocket is the perfect size for holding money, ID or your pack of gum. Key ring keeps your clicker, whistle, or keys handy. Features water resistant lining for easy cleaning and is machine washable. Includes a Training Tips booklet by Terry Ryan."
#4 Clicker
As I mentioned in the introduction, I will be writing another post about clicker training but if you don't know anything about clicker training, here's a short explanation: Remember Pavlov and his dog? (if you don't just google it). Well, the clicker is like the bell. When your parrot does what you ask, you click the clicker, then give a treat. When you do this pattern enough, your parrot will start to recognize the clicker as a positive reinforcement and they will know they did something good.If you are thinking of clicker training, you will want to get a good clicker. I love my big button clicker. It's easy to click and the wrist band keeps it easy to carry. You can get your Liobaba Animal Pet Dog Training Clicker with Wrist Bands Strap, Assorted Color Dog Clickers for Pet Dog Training
on Amazon.Be sure to get a good big button clicker. They are not expensive and much easier to use than some other versions.
#3 Target
If your parrot is target trained, you can teach him/her to do almost anything! This COA Target Stick
makes target training easy. It has a telescoping arm so it's easy to store and you can use it short or fulling extended for larger movements. Don't forget, keep reading this blog to learn more about target training.The bright color and design of the COA Target Stick is definitely best for training but if you have a tight budget or your want to start target training before your COA Target Stick arrives, you can use anything as a target. I started target training Kiwi with a chopstick! It worked great! Just make sure you don't use something too sharp in case your parrot luges at it.
Here's the Amazon description: The COA Target Stick is a key accessory for clicker training. A soft rubber bulb provides a visual target to guide the dog. Also retracts to a convenient size for transport in your pocket or treat bag. COA training products are used every day at Dr. Roger Mugford’s Training and Behavior Centre and, through this environment, we have created a comprehensive training range that enables owners and trainers to teach a dog anything from a simple sit, through to advanced tricks.
#2 Target with Clicker
And we are now at the runner up of my favorite parrot training tools, The Karen Pryor Clicker Training Terry Ryan Clik Stik for Pet Training
. This is a phenomenal combo with both the target stick and the clicker. It's easy to hold and handle at the same time as handling your parrot. If you are target training and clicker training, you want to use this combo. The target has a telescoping arm and the clicker has a big button for easy and precise use. As a bonus, it even has a clip on the back to attach it to your pocket, or the treat bag. Here's the description from Amazon:
"The Clik Stik is an all-in-one clicker and retractable target stick —perfect for trick and target training. Terry Ryan says "The Clik Stik combination frees up one of the trainer's hands. This combination means there's one less piece of equipment to drop, juggle or lose." A wonderful tool for teaching targeting, contacts and weave poles, send-away or go-outs, heeling and lots more. Target extends from 6- 23 Inch and handle includes a belt clip for easy carrying."
. This is a phenomenal combo with both the target stick and the clicker. It's easy to hold and handle at the same time as handling your parrot. If you are target training and clicker training, you want to use this combo. The target has a telescoping arm and the clicker has a big button for easy and precise use. As a bonus, it even has a clip on the back to attach it to your pocket, or the treat bag. Here's the description from Amazon: "The Clik Stik is an all-in-one clicker and retractable target stick —perfect for trick and target training. Terry Ryan says "The Clik Stik combination frees up one of the trainer's hands. This combination means there's one less piece of equipment to drop, juggle or lose." A wonderful tool for teaching targeting, contacts and weave poles, send-away or go-outs, heeling and lots more. Target extends from 6- 23 Inch and handle includes a belt clip for easy carrying."
1# Training Stand
And we are now at my number one favorite training tool, the Xerch Perch Parrot Play Stand T-Perch. When you're picking a training perch, the most important feature is it needs to be stable. You want your parrot to feel confidant and safe on their training stand and this stand is super sturdy. It is designed to support a parrot as large as a hyacinth but comfortable enough for smaller parrots such as conures.
Not only is the Xerch Perch Parrot Play Stand T-Perch sturdy, but it's also versatile and easy to clean. For versatility, you can move and add perch limbs to make it a full jungle gym play stand. For easy cleaning, it has an extra-large drop tray. Also, since the perch limbs come off, you can easily soak them and bake them for cleaning. Join our mailing list to see our future article about cleaning your parrot toys and perches.
A Note About Location
The location of your training is also important, you want to train your parrot in a neutral location (what is a neutral location you ask? Basically it's a place that your parrot won't feel overly comfortable in and end up distracted wanting to play, and its also not a place that your parrot will feel intimidated. The goal of a neutral area is to have a confident and focused parrot. We will talk about this more in the training techniques post coming soon). The Xerch Perch Parrot Play Stand T-Perch is designed to easily add casters so you can wheel it around from your parrot's play area to your neutral training location.
Share Your Favorites
So now you know my favorite training tools. What are your favorites? Comment and let me know what products you like. Do you make your own or do you buy them? Include links and pictures. I would love to see what works for you!
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