Basic Training - Part 1

The Crystal Parrot - All pets need some basic training to give structure to their lives. Dogs, cats, birds, even people do better in life knowing what is expected of them. How would you feel if you went to work every day without knowing what you were supposed to do, what was appropriate and not, or how you were to spend your time?

Our pets are no different then us in needing structure in their daily interactions. Most of the birds kept as pets are naturally flock animals, and within their wild flocks there are rules that each individual must follow to live peacefully. When we decide to bring that sweet baby bird home, we make the commitment to be that bird’s flock and give it an appropriate upbringing, teach it what is right and wrong and guidance on how to live in this “human flock”. Birds do not have instincts on how to live in the human world. Pet birds are wild animals and as their caretakers we must guide them on how to live with us.

Over the next few months, I will discuss some basics of training your bird. All birds need this basic training at every stage of their lives. Whether you are bringing home a new baby bird, or have and older, maybe not so well-behaved parrot, basic training should be part of all of your daily interactions with your pet.

This month we will start with some parrot behavior concepts: the type of attention required between social animals, whether they are parrots or people.

1. Focused in your face attention

Focused attention involves you, the caregiver, spending one-on-one time with your bird without any distractions like TV, reading, or conversations with other people. Focused attention isn’t just cuddling and petting, it’s training and instructional education time.

2. Casual attention

This is time you spend with your bird where he is “hanging” out with you. Your bird can be playing on a play gym while you are distracted by the TV, or reading. Casual attention allows your bird the freedom to do things on his own, but also be part of your activities.

3. Ambient attention
This kind of attention is very important to birds. Ambient attention involves you being in the same room with your bird, occasionally talking to it and encouraging it, but for the most part, your bird is entertaining himself. Because you are your bird’s flock, having you in the room gives our bird security, but still gives your bird independence.

When any new bird comes home, you must start off by giving it all three kinds of attention. Too much focused attention without any casual or ambient attention, your bird becomes reliant on you for amusement and your bird can learn to scream, feather pluck, or bite for your attention because they do not know how to keep themselves occupied. However, if you do not provide focused attention daily, your bird will not grow to see you as a flock member and friend. In general, you should spend more time giving casual and ambient attention, but you must still leave room in your schedule for 15-20 minutes of focused attention everyday. The larger and more tame the bird, however, the more focused attention it will need to stay happy as a family member.

Look at your household and your relationship with your bird. How much attention of what kind do you give your bird? Is all of the attention focused attention and your bird does not know how to amuse itself without its human toy? Does your bird view you as a flock member or would she rather not deal with you?

Next month we will start looking at what to do during your interactions with your bird, and how to best use some of that time for working on guiding your bird on how to live with you in the human world.