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Positive
Reinforcement for parrots
Positive reinforcement is a bird training technique used to
communicate and mold the behavior of parrots. This technique has
been deemed a secret weapon in training birds, and more parrot
owners are discovering the benefits of this training method. This
technique is used not only for birds, but it is also used by
professional animal trainers as it yields extraordinary results.
Many trainers use this training technique on animals such as
dolphins, elephants, and dogs. Most animals that start with
positive reinforcement training tend to enhance their behavior;
whereas, those that don’t have this type of training may not
improve so readily. The amazing thing about using this training
technique with birds is that all birds seem to respond; old,
young, budgies, macaws, untamed to tamed parrots, etc.
So how does positive reinforcement work? It’s simple. The parrot
gets rewarded for behaviors the owner likes. This is done through
a simple communication process established by the owner.
Eventually the parrot will begin to understand what is expected
and will perform accordingly. This communication system is built
through the use of a clicker conveying what the owner expects;
thereby, the parrot works towards ensuring that he meets the
owner’s expectations. As soon as the parrot tries a new behavior,
the owner immediately clicks the clicker and gives the parrot a
treat. This is done until a desired behavior is mastered and the
bird performs without hesitation. If practiced daily, the bird
will continue to perform as long as treats are given to reward the
behavior.
To begin training the parrot, the bird must be
conditioned before
the first behavior can be learned. It is not very difficult to
achieve and most parrots will be
conditioned with little effort.
Once the parrot has been successfully
conditioned for positive
reinforcement training, many communication positives will occur.
For example, the parrot can be taught how to wave, turn around,
talk on command, or even ride a bird-toy bike. In fact, this
training method is so effective that it has helped to successfully
minimize unwanted behaviors and strengthen the bond between the
parrot and its owner.
Owners which incorporate this training method when working with
their parrots can quickly reap the benefits of this process. Birds
are very complex and smart creatures that need to be stimulated
mentally to remain happy and healthy. Positive reinforcement
training is a fun game for the parrot and gives it an outlet to
also learn when outside its cage. It has been proven that birds
that are given attention and positive reinforcement training make
much better pets than those birds that occasionally receive this
interaction with its owner. With daily interaction, the owner
continues to learn about their bird’s personality and how to work
more effectively during these training sessions.
The overall effects of positive reinforcement are astounding. If
the bird is rewarded for behaviors the owner likes, most parrots
will quickly adapt their behavior accordingly. Overtime, this will
change the bird and it will become a better communicator and will
perform more tricks. It is up to the owners
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to be creative when training and to continue building on new
behaviors. The owner should always let the parrot set the pace and
stop when the bird wishes to do so. If this bird training
technique is practiced daily, the relationship between bird and
owner can be greatly enriched. |
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