Alright, I’ve got to speak my mind this month. I have heard so many people and seen so many web sites talking about ‘taming’ birds.
Knowing what I know about behavior and being as compassionate as I am about other living beings, I hate that phrase. It makes me cringe actually because taming to me infers dominance and force. And dominance and force in no way helps build a relationship of trust and foster quality of life. [Read more…] about My Thoughts On Taming A Pet Parrot
Parrot
Teaching A Bird To Step Onto A Perch
I have a perch in my kitchen that adheres to my refrigerator, and when I bring Dreyfuss (my Maximillum Pionus parrot) in with me, I usually keep her there while I am cooking. However, I began noticing the other day that when I’d move my arm to the perch for her to ‘step up’ onto it, she was simply remaining standing on my wrist with her weight on both legs. The problem kept occurring so I thought I’d take out my behavior analysis hat and try to figure out what was happening. [Read more…] about Teaching A Bird To Step Onto A Perch
Should Pet Birds Be Allowed On Shoulders?
I’d like to address a question that is often asked by those who have birds. [Read more…] about Should Pet Birds Be Allowed On Shoulders?
Use Several Strategies To Change Pet Behavior
Have you ever tried to stop an unwanted pet behavior by simply ignoring it? If it is a behavior that is really difficult to ignore, like a bird’s scream or a dog’s whining, you probably know, that strategy is pretty difficult. And there is much potential fallout with punishment. Here is a dog and parrot training tip: use a combination approach called differential reinforcement of an incompatible behavior (DRI). I explain in this older post. [Read more…] about Use Several Strategies To Change Pet Behavior
Thoughts On Taming Pet Birds
I have seen and heard so many explanations for ‘taming’ a bird, many involving training a pet bird with some kind of force or punishment. Even before I met my first teacher in behavior, Dr. Susan Friedman the compassionate side of me always had a difficult time understanding those perspectives on animal care. [Read more…] about Thoughts On Taming Pet Birds
Why Is Trust Important In Pet Training?
I was rereading yesterday a 2103 IAATE Conference presentation made by Dr. Susan Friedman of Utah State University and Steve Martin of Natural Encounters. [Read more…] about Why Is Trust Important In Pet Training?