How to Train an African Grey Parrot – Part 1

Parrot training is more or less effective, depending on the bird. The African Grey Parrot has come to be known as the easiest to train – especially when it comes to talking. Not only can you train an African Grey Parrot to mimic your words, but also to obey your commands. With as little as a month of parrot training, many African Greys go from fussy juveniles to obedient, calm parrots that do tricks on command. You can even train an African Grey Parrot to be “housebroken” when out of the cage – or to play “fetch”.

African Grey Behavior Modification

You might choose to begin your parrot training with behavior modification techniques. African Grey behavior modification is best achieved when humans behave as caregivers, guides, teachers, and parental figures. An African Grey considers himself your equal, and expects respect from you. He does not seem to understand punishment, but remembers who punished him. Parrot training for an African Grey should give choices rather than punishment.

Choices

One behavior you may want to modify through your parrot training is that of the adolescent parrot that refuses to leave his cage when you give the “up” command. He knows the word “up” and associates it with hopping to your fingers to leave the case, but he develops a stubborn, independent streak. You can train an African Grey Parrot to make a choice in such cases: obey your command, or come out in a towel.

The Towel

At the beginning of your parrot training course, your parrot may, by default, choose the towel. He knows little about it, but is determined not to obey your “up” command. After a time or two of leaving home in a towel, however, he will choose to obey and step up on your fingers.

Parrot training to the towel will require that you set yourself to be gentle, calm, and unhurried. Then follow these steps.

* Fold a bath towel in half.
* Place your hands beneath the towel for protection.
* Move the towel into the cage, and gently enclose the parrot.
* Be careful not to squeeze the parrot’s breast.
* Grasp the parrot gently around the sides of its body.
* Holding it in the towel, slowly remove both from the cage.
* Gently place your parrot on the cage top, holding it until it is secure on the perch.
* Remove the towel carefully.
* Scold the towel firmly as you lay it aside.
* Speak to your parrot in a happy, calm voice.

The next time your African Grey refuses to obey your “up” command and leave his cage, simply show him the same towel and ask, “Do you want the towel or do you want to come up?” If he still refuses to leave home on his own, repeat the towel process.

As you continue your parrot training, adapt this same behavior modification technique to other behaviors you want to change.

In Part 2 of this article, we will discuss parrot training that teaches new behavior rather than modify current behavior.