Basic Training: A Quick Guide to Teaching Your Bird the "Step-Up" Command

Step 2: Begin With Socialization

As with most living beings, birds learn best when they are having fun. Training your bird can be a snap if you put forth a little effort to encourage your feathered friend.

Start by Talking to Your Bird:

We all know that birds are very vocal, but they are also often soothed by the sound of their owner's voice. When beginning a training session with your pet, take a few minutes at the beginning to talk and play with your bird so that he understands that he is participating in a fun and desirable activity.

Offer a Treat to Break the Ice:

While treats are used primarily for rewarding the completion of commands or tasks, there is no harm in allowing your pet a tiny treat when you start your training sessions, just to set a positive tone.

Using techniques designed to ease your bird into training sessions often proves to be very useful with pets who are apprehensive or reluctant to cooperate. Always remember to keep things fun for the bird in order to maximize the impact of his lessons.