How to Tame & Train Parrots

Parrots are intelligent birds and can make great pets when tamed and trained properly. Bored parrots will normally display irritated and bad behavior, such as screeching, throwing their food out of the cage and becoming aggressive toward owners. Parrots require a lot of attention and stimulation to prevent bad behavior, which is why it's important to tame them correctly. Teaching your parrot a few simple commands can be the key to handling your parrot and giving it the stimulation it needs to prevent boredom.

Instructions

    • 1

      Find a quiet area to train your parrot and ensure you have enough time for a 20- to 30-minute training session. Find an area away from noise and distractions so the parrot is focused on you. When beginning the session assert your dominance by keeping the parrot below head level, which will help to tame the parrot.

    • 2

      Ensure that your parrot is not occupied already. If your parrot is eating or playing, do not break it away from its activity. Instead, wait until the parrot is calm and attentive. Walk slowly around the cage, as fast movements will intimidate and irritate the parrot and inhibit taming.

    • 3

      Use treats and short commands to entice your parrot to perform tricks. For example, if you want the parrot to step up onto your arm, coax the parrot with a treat and reiterate the command. Once the parrot performs the action, reward it with a treat and repeat the command again. The parrot will associate the action and command with the reward.

    • 4

      Keep your parrot stimulated with positive remarks. Talk to your parrot as much as you can to entertain it and give it your attention for the short session. Never punish your parrot; if a parrot displays bad behavior, ignore it. If the parrot displays good behavior, reward it with a treat and it will soon learn through association. If the parrot bites, never jerk your hand away; blow gently on the parrot's face to discourage the behavior but do not shout or physically punish it. This will tame the parrot and help to prevent further bites.

    • 5

      Praise your parrot as much as you can. If the parrot becomes accustomed to a certain action or command, begin to praise the parrot verbally rather than with a treat so the parrot does not begin to expect treats every time it performs a trick or good behavior.

    • 6

      End the session on a positive note. Perform the 20- to 30-minute session three or four times throughout the day; your parrot will appreciate your attention and entertainment.

      Always reiterate your commands in the next session and end the session when the parrot performs well. Do not ignore the parrot and end the session abruptly due to bad behavior as the parrot will be less likely to perform in the next session.