How to Get Started in Bird Clicker Training

Clicker training is a positive method of animal training that rewards animals for specific behaviors using a distinctive sound and rewards. Dogs, dolphins and even zoo animals have all been taught to obey a variety of commands with clicker training. Your pet bird can also learn what you want it to do (as opposed to not learning what you don't want it to do) using this method. Even if you have never trained an animal before, you can clicker train your bird.

Instructions

    • 1

      Charge the clicker. At first, the clicker, a small plastic device with a metal tab, available at any pet supply store, and the sound it makes means nothing to your bird. Charging the clicker means teaching your bird to associate the clicker's sound with the receipt of a treat. Sit down with your bird, the clicker and a supply of extra yummy bird treats. Offer your bird the treat and click the clicker as soon as the bird starts to eat the treat. Birds are smart; your bird will soon figure out that the click sound equals something good.

    • 2

      Start with touch target. Find an object you want your bird to touch or grab on command. Place the object in front of your pet, and as soon as the bird even looks at the object, click and reward. When the bird touches it, click and reward. Move the object a little further away so the bird has to move to reach it. Click and reward.

    • 3

      Teach a harder trick. Hold a piece of treat just out of your bird's reach above its head. Quickly move the treat in a circle. If your bird physically turns all the way around following the treat, click and give. After a few repetitions, you will have a bird that can spin in place in response to a simple circular hand command.

    • 4

      Pay attention to your timing. You must click the clicker the split second your bird displays the behavior you want. The treat can be delayed by a few seconds (no more, not at first), but the click must be instantaneous; it tells the bird "yes, this is the exact behavior I want."