I have a parakeet and I want to know what's a good way to hand train her?

Question

I don't want to cut her wings because my son loves to see her fly and she's a bird.... she was meant to fly. I would also like to know what is the easiest way to trim her nails? Please can anyone preferably someone with parakeet experience help me with this?

Answer 1

There are several websites where you can learn about positive reinforcement training. Positive reinforcement training is easily the best way to train absolutely anything...your bird, your kids, anything. Try these websites to give you a basic understanding of how it works:
http://www.wagntrain.com/OC/

http://www.birdsnways.com/

http://www.parrotparrot.com/articles/...

The basic ideas is: If you step up, you get a treat.
This is used every day of a working person's life. As in, "If you come to your job and work 8 hours, you will get a paycheck."
That is positive reinforcement. Check out those websites and perhaps Google: positive reinforcement training". You will find lots of information on this and your bird will be stepping onto your hand in no time.
My Grey does many tricks including playing basketball, flipping over a rope, putting a ring on a peg and answering questions on cue.
Believe me this is a very effective method of training.
Books:
Parrots For Dummies
Guide to Companion Parrot Behavior
This ought to get you started.

Yes she was meant to fly but the problem is they weren't really meant to live in a house either. Not clipping her exposes her to dangers like hot stoves, flying into mirrors, drowning ina toilet or a tub, or smacking into a wall and breaking her neck.
Take her to a reputable bird groomer for trimming. They aren't really thrilled about it and you don't want her mad at you for doing it. Have her mad at the person who is grooming her. The groomer doesn't live in your house. Also, if you don't know what you're doing, you could cut too close and her nail wll bleed and it's a little tough to stop the bleeding.

Answer 2

Best advice that I can give is that you need to clip her flight feathers at least until she is trained. Be prepared for lotsa bites. When they do bite you...do not react to it. If they get a reaction...this will make them do it even more.There is no way you will train this bird if you dont. Ive had birds for years and have never trimmed their nails. If you give them a perch that is gritty enough you shouldnt have to. They also make paper you can put on the base of the cage that is like sandpaper.

Answer 3

The answer fro this question is available on,
http://birds.21publish.com/

Answer 4

try this site: