Parrots, depending on which you choose for your pet, can be
very expensive and the last thing you want is to have to shut
your bird away because the noise and cage antics have become unbearable.

For your parrot to be a responsible, well
behaved member of your family will take training. After
all I'm sure you wouldn't have dreamed of bringing up your
children without teaching them something of manners and social
ettiquette. Parrots are no different. They need the same social
skills if they are to be integrated into your family. And lets
face it. No one buys a parrot to hide it away, so it needs to
be well behaved. The following tips will help you train your
parrot to become a socially acceptable within your family.

• Like any other creature, human or animal, rewards for positive behavior reinforce that behavior. When your parrot does the
  right things reward him/her. In the beginning your parrot might not be aware of what you are trying to do but being very
  intelligent birds will soon cotton on to, action equals reward. Treats used for rewards should not be given to your parrot at any other time other than when your are rewarding him/her otherwise the value of the reward will become less.

• You should only try and train your parrot in short sessions of about 15 minutes at a time. Having reasonably short attention spans parrots become bored quite quickly if they are having to do the same thing over and over again.

• Do not attempt to punish your bird! Parrots do not react at all well to punishment. Punished birds may well become withdrawn and overly aggressive if approached. The only form of punishment you should use, and it is the best, is to just ignore your bird for a while. Parrots, being social creatures and fond of interaction with their owners will soon get the message.

• All the above will be meaningless if you do not exercise patience. Limitless patience. Patience coupled with tenderness will encourage positive responses from your bird.

Training your parrot in the social skills necessary for him/her
to become a well behaved member of your family is vital if you
wish to have a long, enjoyable and wonderful relationship with
your bird.