A Happy Healthy Parrot in an ever-changing life
A Happy Healthy Parrotin an ever-changing life
How high does your relationship fly?
Trust = Communication (and communication is training)
• And you think parrots have an attitude…
Why are Parrots Given Up?
• Inability to Encourage and Maintain Good Behavior
• Life changes
Change- The American Way
MORE JOB CHANGES
Before 1960 most people had 3 to 4 jobs in their lifetime
Today the average baby boomer held 10.5 jobs from the age of 18-40
Change- The American Way
More Changes in Family Arrangement
• Marriage rate has fallen 30% since 1970
• Divorce Rate has increase 40%
Another Reason They are Given Up?
Parrots Aren’t Domestic
notadog.flv.flv
Reasons to have a well-behaved Parrot
• Your parrot
• Your roommates
• Your neighbors
• Your heirs
• Your parrot’s unforeseen future
What We Need to Succeed
An Understanding of Natural History
An understanding of Body Language
A relationship based on Positive Reinforcement
BODY LANGUAGE
• Eyes (shape)
• Pupils (pinning?)
• Wing Positioning (tight to body - flapping)
• Body Feathers (slick, puffed)
• Head (lowered or upright)
• Position (at the front of the cage or cowering in the back?)
Training isn’t “Making”
Training is asking, encouraging, communicating.
Why Train Your Parrots?
• Training is the best way to have a two-way conversation with your parrot.
Training is the best way to avoid and manage
problem behavior.
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FIGHTING COCKATOO
Aggression
It’s not cute!
Some Helpful Behaviors
• Target Training
• Stepping up
• Crate Training
• Bathing
• Nail clipping
• Toweling
The Five Worst Things to Teach Your Parrot…
• Cursing
• Screaming
• Biting
• Aggression
• Fear of Change
The Secret?The secret to a parrot that can weather life’s changes is the parrot’s owner and
their willingness to
learn, apply, commit.