| Most people want to teach their parrot how to do | | | | onto the object right in front of him. |
| tricks. Parrots tricks are one of the most enjoyable | | | | To do this you can start by pressing your finger |
| parts of sharing your life with one of these fun and | | | | against your parrot's chest right above his legs while |
| intelligent birds. | | | | saying "step up". Don't poke with the tip of your finger. |
| Training makes him more focused on you, better | | | | Instead, gently press with the side of your finger. |
| socialized, better behaved and can even help in | | | | A good technique for teaching parrot tricks is to use |
| correction of behavioral problems! Since many of | | | | food as a reward. For teaching step up you can hold |
| these problems arise out of boredom and lack of | | | | the treat just out of reach to help guide him onto your |
| mental stimulation, learning parrot tricks can be the | | | | finger. If you have one of the larger species of parrot |
| answer to a healthier, happier parrot. | | | | you can substitute your forearm for your finger. |
| A good example of this is the loud screeching that can | | | | Remember to keep training sessions short. You don't |
| both irritate you and stress you out. Parrots screech to | | | | want to repeat things so many times that you annoy |
| get attention. By teaching your parrot to talk you will | | | | your parrot and cause him to resent the sessions. |
| enjoy his vocalizations much more than you enjoyed | | | | Make sure to end on a good note and once your |
| the screeching, it is much more pleasant to listen to. | | | | parrot "gets it", even if it only took two or three tries, |
| You don't need to provide a conventional lesson | | | | reward him and end the session. |
| setting. If, when walking by your bird's cage, you stop | | | | It's also wise to train your bird in a quiet room with as |
| and repeat the word that you are trying to teach him | | | | few distractions as possible. You want to make sure |
| once or twice on a regular basis he will learn to repeat | | | | that he is totally focused on you during training. |
| what you say. | | | | Another trick that is fun and fairly easy to teach is |
| When teaching your parrot to talk make sure to speak | | | | "turn around." With your parrot standing either on a |
| slowly and clearly and keep the words short, just a | | | | perch or your finger, hold out a piece of food. Say |
| syllable or two. When he repeats the word you can | | | | "turn around." Next move the treat slowly around to a |
| give him a treat as a reward. It may take more than | | | | position behind your bird. He should follow it with his |
| one session, and his first few attempts may not be as | | | | eyes and when he can't see it should turn his whole |
| clear sounding as later on when he has the word | | | | body. |
| mastered. | | | | As soon as he does, reward him with the treat. At first |
| It's also wise to be careful of what you say around | | | | you can work on half turns (180 degrees) and then |
| your parrot. It can prove embarrassing when he | | | | proceed to full turns (360 degrees). |
| repeats a word or phrase around guests that you had | | | | A last piece of advice is never work with your parrot |
| no idea he knew! | | | | when you are feeling stressed. Always keep a calm |
| Another popular trick is training your parrot to step up. | | | | and patient attitude and you should have no trouble |
| This trick is easy to teach and also can be quite useful | | | | teaching your parrots tricks. |
| when trying to catch him. You teach him to step up | | | | |