Parrot Training Tips - The UP Command

Training your parrot in a few easy steps should begin with teaching it the "Up" command. This is a basic 'manners' command so training your bird will teach it how to behave and you can easily manage your parrot using this command. This parrot training works with both tamed and untamed parrots.

The process for training your parrot behaviors is much easier when training a hand-fed parrot than training a parrot that is not tame. When you work with an untamed parrot, you'll find it works best to use a spare perch or untreated wooden dowel which is rather long. This will allow the parrot training session to begin without the parrot being asked to step onto your hand at first.

I perform parrot training sessions outside the cage. If that isn't possible, you can perform the process with the parrot inside the cage as long as you have a large door opening and can move the perch about easily. Be sure the selected perch is comfortably sized for the species of parrot you are taming or training.

The second step to watch for when training your parrot, during that very first session; simply place the perch below the bird's breast and above its feet. Say the word "Up" clearly but not loud or your parrot might be startled or scared. As you say the word, move the wooden dowel slightly forward so that your parrot will place a foot on the perch and step onto it.

Once the bird steps on the perch reward it with loving sweet praise, telling it what a wonderful parrot it is. Repeat these steps for 10 minutes per parrot training session with two sessions per day if possible. One longer session is not effective; if you can only train your parrot one session per day, stick to 10 minutes.

Consistency is the key to training your bird! It is important that you do not allow your parrot to refuse to perform the behavior after it has stepped up the first time. You want your parrot to understand that this is something it must do when requested.

When training your bird, provide love, attention, and treats when the bird performs properly. When the bird responds, tell it how pleased you are and how much you love it. A treat can be given at first, but praise and love are the best rewards; tame parrots never get enough!

As your bird gets comfortable stepping on the perch, you can slowly shorten the distance from your hand to the parrot. When training untamed parrots, do not shorten the perch more than one each week or you could stress the parrot, causing loss of trust. Progress slowly but surely toward your parrot training goals.

As training your bird progresses, a point will be reached where the distance from the parrot to you hand is quite small. Then next step is to ask the parrot to step directly onto your hand or arm. This parrot training step is a big move for your bird, so be patient and loving.

How long training your parrot this behavior requires depends on you, your consistency and your parrot. If the parrot has been stressed or made afraid through abuse or trauma, it can take a long time. If your parrot is simply unfamiliar with you, you must prove to it that you won't hurt it and the process can occur quite quickly.

When training your parrot that was hand-fed, you can count on the entire process being quick and easy. You may even begin with the final step and simply speak the command while asking the parrot to step onto your hand.

Be sure to watch your parrot's body language for clues to the level of trust and level of comfort with the parrot training activities you are doing. Your parrot will generally communicate its comfort level using body language. You simply have to pay attention to the clues.

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