If you have recently adopted a new pet bird, odds are that he or she is still getting used to their surroundings and maybe in the process of adjusting. While it’s possible to begin trick training at this early stage for your feathered friend, it is better if you show patience, waiting about two weeks before beginning any type of training regimen on them–perhaps even more so if they’re young!
The very first thing you should do upon bringing your bird home is work on forming the beginnings of a bond with him. Chances are that he’s unsure and perhaps even fearful about his new environment; it can take time for them to get used to things, but don’t worry! You’ll need gentle socialization techniques for both parties involved in this process to feel comfortable enough where they won’t be scared anymore- so spend some days practicing those before trying anything more advanced just yet.
Part of the bonding process can include conditioning your bird to his new name. Once you have chosen a proper one, it’s best not to change it! Although possible as long as he likes what we picked out for him (and by like I mean “buckle down and accept”), but let me tell ya: calling someone else ‘Green’ after they’ve had Blue all day will take some getting used too; much easier if we just went with something good sounding from the start.
To teach your bird his name, you will need a quiet area in which both of can sit and work. Make sure there won’t be any traffic coming through that might frighten him or distract him with other things like TVs and radios; secure all windows so he’s well contained while out on these adventures (not confined) but remember- no doors should lead into an outside hallway where birds could fly away if they got scared!
Say your bird’s name and give him a treat! This is the easiest way to train them. Even if they’re not looking at you, just say their names in an excited voice until they do what we want in anticipation of getting something good afterward.
Fruit or veggies are always great for training treats too because birds love them so much more than seeds (side note: I don’t know why). All it takes is 15 minutes on repeat with some cut-up pieces as rewards after each successful obedience outing; within no this should lead up towards full-fledged habituation.
Introducing your new feathered pal to the world can be an exciting and educational experience. To get them properly trained, try repeating training sessions 3 or 4 times per day until they start responding appropriately–then give them a break! Keep these short kid-friendly tricks in mind: Use fun sounds like clucking chickens for positive reinforcement when rewarding good behavior; don’t use food as a reward because this could make things boring (treats should only come out after successful behaviors); always stay patient with animals who may take longer than others at learning something new.
