My Training tips

[guruhelp]

Getting a bird to bond with you has to be one of the most rewarding experiences in life!
I'm no expert, but here's my ideas, gleaned from my own experiences, combined with help from others, too.
1. Eat with your bird.
Get some millet spray and put it on your lap. As soon as he will sit on your finger, inside the cage, entice your pet with some spray and put him in your lap while you eat a sandwich or something. Soon it will lern that your dinnertime is theirs, too, allthough they will eat a dozen times a day, they will love eating while you do!
2. Give your bird the rule of the roost!
It might be difficult for some, but when you are at home, let your bird out and show it some "good places to sit" around they area you are in most of the time.
3. Have a place near the front window of your home, to put your bird, so they can see you come and go.
4. Learn to whistle, and use the SAME simple whistle, like "hello", a hi-low, two tone song that will become your greeting and his way of finding you. When my cockatiel, Icarus, is in a new place or I'm not in his line of sight, he will whistle that, and I call back, to reassure him.
%. TOYS TOYS bTOYS! ANYTHING that is safe, can be a toy. Use common sence, so you don't give hime somthing dangerouse, but my 'tiel loved the plastic rings leftover when you open qa juice or milk jug. He doesn't swallow them, but loved to tear them up!
They are natural shredders, so if you DON'T give them somthing that's O.K. to chew, they will find their own things, somtimes to a dissasterous result, like power cords. When you see your pet curiously mouthing a cord, jently say "NOOOO", and then say, "HERE'S your FUN TOY!" and give it something that's approved to chew. All bird willmouth things out of curiosity, so don't panic when they do. My 'tiel started mouthing mouse and keyboard cords, but now leaves them alone.
4. Let your bird try your food.
Nothing salty or too sweet, but my 'tile LOVES peas, beans and pasta. A good variety of veg and fruits are good for your bird and consult a book to see what's safe for them. NO CHOCOLATE or AVACADOS! They can be toxic to birds.
Enjoy your buddy and he will soon want to be with you as much as possible, I bet! My tiel is on my wrist, as I am typing this, and we ate breakfat together and now will go outside to see what's going on.
Get a flight-suit, they are cheap and make having your bird on your shoulder a less messy proposition.
I hope this helps those of you with new friends, but also keep in mind that some bird will bond with other birds after a certain age, and might NOT want to bond with a human after that.
It doesn't matter what size or species, I think. Most flocking birds will allow your to become one of the fold.
I have only had ONE bird at a time, so my theories may not work as well with a multi-bird household, but give them a try and feel free to let me know how it works for you!Email me at Bruce@guruhelp.net, if you like, too!
Good luck!
Have fun!