Parrot Trick Training - Step 2 - Target Training

We don't trick train our parrots so that they can do cute little tricks… We trick train them so they can utilize their incredibly intelligent minds. We trick train them to form a closer bond with them. We trick train them because they want to work for their food! In the wild they spend 80% of their day working for their food in the hopes that they might find a meal.
If you are interested in learning how to trick train your bird, I've created a brand-new group where I will give you everything you need to know....FREE!
/ letstrainourparrotstoday

[@STOPTRUMPPROJECT2025]

That's my Charlie 😂 jumping on my hand, snatching the treat. Afterwards, he jumps down and eats the seeds off the table.

[@cheapskatecraftingwithlehn8088]

WHEN HETOUCHED THE STICK AND LOOKED INTHE CAMRA HE LOOK LIKE HE COULD BESAYING DIDNT I DO A GREAT JOB HE! HE!

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Barbara Lehner\Kuhn That made me laugh. He totally did lol

[@CenturianEagle]

So awesome and cute, I love these informative videos.

[@LoveBirdsCentral]

Great training session and tips! Adorable bird! :-)

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Thank you :)

[@LoveBirdsCentral]

You're welcome! :-)

[@boodym7297]

that's so helpful,i will do the same with my senegal parrot, thanks a lot. I wish the best for both of you.

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Thank you! Best of luck to you as well.

[@roxypicasso66]

great video! any tips for training without a clicker? do i make a clicking noise with my mouth or can i just say good boy instead?

[@rewindgaming9553]

my bird just brutally attacks the stick😐

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

REWIND GAMING try holding the stick just out of reach of the bird can only touch it with the tip of its beak or tongue… Holding it closer will allow the bird to take the stick in its mouth. You want to avoid that. 😉

[@rewindgaming9553]

ahh alright thank you do you also have tips on how to stop her from biting everyone lol she won't even let me pet her

[@dougbenson8101]

These are great training videos. thank you for making them. How long did you carry on the target training having him walk a short distance to the target before attempting to get him to fly from perch to perch?

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Doug Benson Thanks! I’m happy you are enjoying! Every bird goes at their own pace...some faster and some slower. The best advice I can give on this is that when your bird is continually successful at reaching short range horizontal targets, move on to targets that must be climbed up or down to reach. It’s amazing to watch the light bulbs going off as they work out how to get there. So fulfilling as a trainer to see your bird exercising their brain to achieve their goal... AND as we all know LOL their only real goal is to get the treat. After your bird gains confidence with climbing around inside or outside the cage or play stands etc point to a target they must hop across a small gap to reach. Keep increasing the distance until they must fly to reach it. Remember not to over train. Take it slowly with each training session and if you push too far and lose your bird’s interest END on a positive note by targeting an inch away so they get their treat, tons of excited praise and a positive successful training session. Keep me posted on your progress!

[@dougbenson8101]

Ziggy the Cockatiel & Kili the IRN thanks so much for the reply, great tips. I'll definitely be putting them to use. I only started the clicker conditioning last week and he took to it very well so I moved onto the target training this week and again he has picked it up quickly and will target from one side of the top of his cage to the other (although today he was not I'm the mood so I have done as you said and ended on a positive allowing the treat at short distance). He is very hand shy/fearful so I'm hoping this will eventually lead to being able to target him to my finger (don't worry, I won't rush it and lose his trust). I'll let you know how we get on.

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Doug Benson It sounds like you two are doing amazing. You’ll be ready for the spin trick videos before no time!

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Was replying to a comment and reread our comvo. How are you two getting on? Update please 😊

[@yiwei-cheng]

Thanks!! Really helpful! But may I ask a thing... So can't we say anything to praise bird like "Good", "Great", or "Perfect"?

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

鄭宜崴 its best not too when you’re using a clicker and treats. That IS your way of saying good job.

[@yiwei-cheng]

OK, Thank you!

[@chroniclesofphantom7572]

what if the bird has no interest in the stick?

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Parrots are curious by nature. I’d have a hard time believing any parrot, at some point, wouldn’t touch a stick that was pointed at its face.

[@imdeaded]

my bird runs away to the other side of the cage

[@ssgoku411]

@@imdeaded same

[@miah1172]

Sometimes to get my birds attention I put the millet/treat with the stick, that way he has interest and associates the stick and treat 😊

[@uditswaroopa5809]

How many training session I have to do in a day assuming as you said each training session is 5 minutes long

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Try to spread them out over the day during times when your parrot is in unfed state. Avoid overdoing it in the beginning to lessen frustration on both your end and your bird's. Take it slow. Best of luck!

[@bridgetthompson3284]

Got my clicker today! Wish me luck! My little Bebe parrot 🦜 flys straight for my shoulder. Bad habit. Hoping some training will help.

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Best of luck!

[@cheapskatecraftingwithlehn8088]

I HAVE A QUESTION THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS VIDEO ON TRAINNING BUT YOU SEEM TO KNOW YOUR STUFF SO HERE IT IS MY BIRD DOES THIS HEAD TRWILE THING HE LOOKS LIKE HES GOING TO BRAKE HIS NECK IT REALLY SCARES ME HAVE YOU ANY IDEA WHAT SHE SORRY ITS A GIRL MAY BE DOING ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT I HAVE ONLY HAD HER FOR 10 DAYS AND SHE HAS COME A LONG WAY FROM BEING NASTY SHE NOW LETS ME TIKLE HER HEAD SHE WAS VERY NEGLECTED I MEAN REALLY BAD THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

[@phononmusic]

Its a behavior done to help her regurgitate. This is usually a mating behavior, and whatever she's doing it to (i.e. a toy, etc) you should remove it from the situation as you want to discourage mating. Excessive hormones can cause a lot of negative things

[@cheapskatecraftingwithlehn8088]

she is doing it to me every time I walk into her room I made a bird room for her I will go in and pet her and talk to her some one on the web said that she thinks I'm her mate is that true and if so how do I fix it

[@phononmusic]

I'm not sure, just do some research and google "how to stop mating behaviours in parrots" or something along those lines

[@luke_5187]

What is the temperature when ziggy is in the aviary

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Always within 10-15°C of their bedroom. Anything beyond that range within a 24hr period is not safe for them.

[@anshulsingh2566]

What treat u give to cockatiel..as he likes it very much? waiting plz help

[@anshulsingh2566]

Plz help

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Millet seeds because they are easy and no shell. Very fast to eat during training but he also likes sunflower seeds in the shell. Very messy.

[@anshulsingh2566]

@@LivingMyBestLifeIAm my bird is just 4month old. .she is scared of me ...how can i tame here...plz help..what duration will be required to tame and plz help

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

@@anshulsingh2566 Taming is different for every single bird. there is no right way that works for everyone and there is no specified length of time that it will take. The best advice I can give you is to spend a lot of time with your bird... Just being in the same room and letting him get used to you. Let your bird decide the speed in which progress will be made. Don't force yourself upon the bird... Let the bird come to you. Once a small level of tameness (IE TRUST) is achieved you can begin trick training which will strengthen the bond and trust between you. Good luck!

[@anshulsingh2566]

@@LivingMyBestLifeIAm my bird just love to eat sunflower seeds..but as it is included in her regular diet she is not interested in taking it from me...any other treat such as millets is not love by her..can u suggest me a very loving food for my bird..and her wings r being clipped so when i remove her from the cage she just go and sit on the cage ..what should i do to take her attention..and plz tell what is the best treat for my bird that will be loved by here..thx for your support..big fan .

[@roblem9820]

What kind of bird is that?

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Ziggy is a Cockatiel

[@tangerinemolar]

What if you dont have a clicker?

[@AlexKaragezyan]

Jolie Prezeau a pen will work

[@tangerinemolar]

AlexKaragezyan thx but I got a clicker lol it was like 25 cents

[@AlexKaragezyan]

Jolie Prezeau where?

[@tangerinemolar]

AlexKaragezyan at my local PetSmart

[@kimberlytraucins847]

Snapple top works and its quieter

[@deniselayer802]

Can you train without the clicker?

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

It's not recommended

[@camillakirkmand1977]

But it’s possible

[@prmeli1114]

If you don’t want to buy a clicker use a pen and click that. Make some kind of a click sound that way the bird associates the click with someone positive that comes after that noise.

[@jesperjee]

How would I make it so/know that the bird is hungry?? I'm not just gonna remove food from his cage right?

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

If you hold up a treat and he snubs it...hes not hungry and he's not doing any tricks. Forcing a training session, at this point, would only make your bird feel negatively about training. You can see that Ziggy is excited to train and will beg (do his repertoire of tricks without being asked) and react quickly to my commands. This is what you want to see... this is how you know your bird is hungry.

[@jesperjee]

@@LivingMyBestLifeIAm Thank you!

[@ag0raph0bia_]

This helps with both training and my bird since she isn’t hand shy, but she refuses to get off of my shoulder when I need to put her back in her cage

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Do you blame her? She knows you are putting her away and she'd rather stay with you. Try training her to come off your shoulder and then DON'T put her in her cage after. Stop being predictable. They are smarter than that. Always give her a reward for going in the cage, like it's another trick she learned. Good luck!