I need a good training book.

[Sasha2]

It needs to spell things out, step by step.
one that has daily or weekly sessions I can do with my parrot right from the start assuming the parrot is completely untamed.
I dont like videos all that much.The one I saw from some lady(barbara something) started with a nice amiable bird on a perch.Thats too advanced for my conure.

I know its only been 3 weeks but I dont feel like Im making much headway with Nacho. He will occasionally take a treat from me but sometimes just drops it.He is still scared of hands. and doesnt really want to come out of the cage at all..And if he does come out (only twice so far)putting him away means scaring him with my hands so he goes back in.But then I havent done any daily training either.
I am a very scattered person and need lists.I do better with step by step, day by day stuff.Not just random suggestions.

 

[weco]

Sasha, I have never seen or heard of any book that provides a day-by-day schedule of how to train birds.....what kind of training are you needing? I have however, seen a book on clicker training of parrots, though I have never read it so can't comment on it. You can probably find virtually the same thing described on the internet, in text format, rather in videos. There is a clicker training group on Yahoo Groups, that you could join.....

Just looked around & here's some internet links that might be helpful, but I've not delved into what they might offer, just looked at their first page or two.....

Bird-Click : Bird-Click

Clicking with Birds

BirdClick : BirdClick bird clicker click training tame taming parrot hookbill behavior tricks

Clicker Training for Birds: My Parrot Training Bible | Best in Flock - Parrot Blog

 

[OOwl]

It's an older book, but I really like "The Pleasure of their Company," by Bonnie Munroe Doane. Its common-sense approach works for me and mine. I've never been very good with a clicker, but I do use bridge words consistently and treats. Good luck with your project!

 

[Sasha2]

Thanks so much.
I just ordered "The pleasure of their company" and "Clicker training for Birds".Got them used on Amazon.I love used books, so cheap, both books for 16 dollars shipped.Anyway I just hope that I dont have to wade to through too much "conversation and chitchat" to get to the actual info on training.That is what throws me off.I cant get a usable plan of action if there is too much other stuff..

 

[psychocircus91]

The problem with a "day by day" plan, is that every bird is an individual. No two birds are going to progress the same.

Take things step by step and ask here for advice when something isn't working out as planned. Good luck on your reading!

 

[Sasha2]

Thanks.
My problem is most books are trying to be fun and conversational.I have a hard time not getting distracted by the fluff and finding the actual training tools hidden within.Just give it to me straight and not hide each training tip in a whole chapter of stuff.I dont have time for that.
I know each parrot is different but just a basic idea would be nice.Like it takes around 10-15 minutes a day for two or three weeks of doing exactly this or that.Then go on to this after that is mastered.If its not all laid out I end up losing it after a few weeks.Im just so darn ADD that its just so hard for me to keep it up.A nice master plan helps, if I can check off each day it helps even more.

 

[MonicaMc]

Clicker Training with Birds by Melinda Johnson is good. I have that book.

I would also recommend Barbara Heidenreich training videos because it shows you how training should be done (reading it is not quite the same as seeing it), and how it can be done with approximations and shaping


Training sessions should be kept short and on a positive ending. It's better to do training sessions in 3-5 minute burst, maybe up to 10 or 15, three times a day than it is to do a 1 hour long training session. Some birds pick it up quickly, others need a little more time.