Conure training

[Jeannie Marchant]

Can anyone recommend any book, CDs, etc for training? Just general stuff for a well behaved bird. I have a green cheek and a new sun. They aren't bad birds and I'd like to keep it that way.

[jenseits]

Melinda Johnson's book: Clicker Training for Birds
Barbara Heidenreich's Good Bird magazine (click for a free copy) or any of her books/DVDs
Anything by Mattie Sue Athen, like Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot

All these are by well-qualified trainers who use only positive reinforcement.

I would NOT recommend any of the "quick fix" products advertised all over the Internet.

Congratulations on your new sun conure!

[kellywess]

Can you subscribe to the "Good Bird Magazine" through the mail?

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by kellywess

Can you subscribe to the "Good Bird Magazine" through the mail?

Yep, here's information on how to subscribe: Good Bird Magazine

[Jeannie Marchant]

Sounds Good! Thanks for the advice. I'll go investigate. My green cheek is getting to the nippy twos and the sun is only 6 months old. Both are precious but "I" could use the training :~)

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by Jeannie Marchant

Both are precious but "I" could use the training :~)

You've got the right attitude! Training is really a two way street - it's not about us telling the birds what to do, but about both learning to understand each other and us working with what motivates them.

I'd say that at least 50% of the time that I get nipped at, I apologize to Stewie because I know it was MY fault. That's one thing I really learned with training - every animal sends signals through body language. We need to understand and respect what they are trying to communicate.

Check out Melinda Johnson's clicker training group on Yahoo for some great resources and support for us humans who are clicker training birds: Bird-Click : Bird-Click Clicker training is a LOT of fun. You'll have a blast doing it.

[Jeannie Marchant]

jenseits,
Which is better or do you use both methods? Barbara Heidenreich has some DVDs you can purchase on training. I was thinking about ordering those. Have you tried any of them? I also joined the yahoo group you suggested but I have to wait for my membership.

The Sun is very active and likes to play. I need to learn how to play and not teach vices. I have a feeling Pumpkin will be a handful :~) Smart little bugger, I need to be prepared!

Neither are nippy. They feel me with their beaks but don't bite. I taught my green cheek Skittles to will wear a flight suit. Skittles goes outside and in the car with me, etc.

Thanks for the advice. I love your web site. I'm going to read more this weekend.

Jeannie

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by Jeannie Marchant

jenseits,
Which is better or do you use both methods? Barbara Heidenreich has some DVDs you can purchase on training. I was thinking about ordering those. Have you tried any of them? I also joined the yahoo group you suggested but I have to wait for my membership.

Both focus on positive reinforcement - so the principles are the same. I tend to think of Barbara more as a "serious" trainer - she does a lot of consulting with zoos and her Yahoo group talks about pretty advanced things like free flying. I think she also speaks about parrot behavior more generally.

The Clicker Training group is much more focused on training, but specifically on training as a way to have fun with your bird and breaking down specific tricks (the Files are great for that). Melinda and the other mods do a great job of keeping the group discussion on topic, so the focus is pretty narrow.

I don't know if that's an accurate assessment, but that's how I organize it in my head. There's nothing wrong with getting Melinda's book and Barbara's DVD, both (and/or subscribing to both their lists). Some people prefer different kinds of media for learning. It depends on you.

Originally Posted by Jeannie Marchant

I taught my green cheek Skittles to will wear a flight suit. Skittles goes outside and in the car with me, etc.

Color me impressed! I couldn't imagine getting Stewie into a flight suit! lol

Originally Posted by Jeannie Marchant

Thanks for the advice. I love your web site. I'm going to read more this weekend.

Thanks!!! I really appreciate that!

Keep us updated on your training progress!