When training you bird, teaching it good manners is a first priority. The "Up" command could be the very first behavior you select for your parrot training. It doesn't matter whether your parrot is a trusting, just weaned baby or an adult untamed bird, you can still use this easy process for training your bird. 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. Training your bird requires consistency in order to be successful. Once your bird has performed the Up command, do not allow it to refuse to respond on cue, yet do not punish it. Simply push the perch toward it a bit more. Your parrot must understand something is expected when you ask it to step up. When training your parrot let your bird know that you will provide attention, love, and treats when the bird steps up. Each time the parrot performs on request, let it know you are thrilled. Treats can be used, but don't rely on treats; praise is the best reward, especially for tame parrots. Once training your parrot as progress to the point that your bird is comfortable stepping onto a dowel or stick, shorten the distance on the dowel from your hand to the bird. This parrot training strategy, if the bird is not tame, works best if you only shorten the perch once a week. More frequent changes in the training can stress the bird and cause it to lose trust in you. 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. 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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