Parrot Training Tips - The UP Command

When training you parrot, the "Up" command is the very first behavior you should train your bird. Whether you have a tame parrot that is just weaned or have an older, untamed parrot, the process is still important. It's a question of good manners you must teach in this parrot training!

The process for training your parrot behaviors is much easier when the training a hand-fed parrot than training your 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 to begin without the parrot being asked to step onto your hand at first.

I perform parrot training 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 training.

In the first parrot training session, place the perch just above the parrot's feet and just below its breast while saying "Up" clearly. There is no need to be loud or sharp, just say "up". Move the perch slightly toward the parrot so that it will naturally step onto the perch.

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 parrot let your bird know that you will provide treats, love and attention when the bird steps up. Each time the parrot does the behavior, let it know you are pleased. Treats can be used, but never rely entirely on treats; praise is the greatest reward, especially for tame parrots.

As your bird 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.

Soon, a day will arrive that you notice the distance from your hand to the bird on the perch is small. After your parrot becomes really comfortable with your hand that nearby, begin the final parrot training step - offer your hand or forearm (depending on the parrot's size) instead of the perch. Ask the parrot, by saying the UP command, to step directly onto your arm or hand.

The time required for training your parrot this behavior depends on your consistency and your parrot. If the parrot was stressed in the past or made afraid through trauma or abuse, it can take quite a long period of consistent training. If your parrot is simply learning about you and building trust, you must prove to it that you won't hurt it and the entire process for parrot training can be successfully completed quite quickly.

When training your parrot that was hand-fed, you can count on the entire process taking a short time - in fact, you'll probably start at the final step with the parrot stepping right onto your hand. I recently brought a just-weaned budgie home. He was not hand-fed but very young and trusting; he was learned the "up" command within a week and consistently performs the behavior whenever requested.

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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