Tips to Train a Parrot to do a Difficult Behavior…like Nail Trimming

“Go Slow to Get There Fast” is a phrase you will hear me say over and over at my parrot training workshops.  It’s quirky, ironic, a little ambiguous ……..and it works to help caregivers achieve amazing behaviors.  So what exactly does this catchy little phrase mean?  Some may interpret it as you need to be patient. And perhaps that is a part of it, but in reality it is about helping trainers focus on the process of training a behavior, rather than just getting to the end result.

Think about the behavior of trimming your parrot’s nails. The inclination is to get those nail clippers up to the bird toes and snip off a bit of nail before your bird has time to react. If you have ever attempted this, you know all too well that very quickly it becomes nearly impossible to get the trimmers anywhere close to your bird once he figures out what you are up to. This is an example of going too fast and only focusing on getting to the end result.

In the same time it takes to struggle with a bird to get those nails trimmed, caregivers can actually make tremendous progress in training a parrot to accept voluntarily nail trims by slowing down. This means using smaller approximations.  To do this, caregivers need to pay close attention to their parrot’s body language. Bring the nail clippers up slow enough that your bird notices them, but does not show the slightest fear response. Pair this with desired experiences like getting food treats or head scratches.  Keep bringing the clippers closer as long as the bird remains very calm. You would be surprised how fast this can go if you are attentive to your parrot’s responses.

Once by a toe nail, don’t go for clipping just yet. Squeeze the handle of the clippers in the air. Barely touch the toe nail. Squeeze the trimmers around the nail, but don’t clip. Pair all these actions with desired goodies. All these are important tiny steps towards your end goal. As long as your parrot is calm, you can keep moving through these approximations. When you think he is ready for clipping, just barely take the tip off. You don’t want any pain or bleeding to occur.

Many times I have been able to trim a few toenails in just a matter of 20 minutes by going slow to get there fast. This approach can be applied to any behavior you are finding challenging to train. This might include restraint training,  going back in the cage,  harness training, learning to trust hands and stepping up. 

The reason going slow is faster is because every time we push for more than what the parrot is ready for we create a setback in training. The bird that is pushed beyond his comfort level becomes unwilling to participate. And the training process has to begin all over again. This scenario often gets repeated. In the long run it takes more time to train, and many times is never successful in achieving the behavior goal.

If you find yourself pushing your parrot past his threshold of tolerance for what you are asking of him, remind yourself “Go Slow to Get There Fast.”  You will discover you can train difficult behaviors in no time at all.

Barbara Heidenreich
Copyright Good Bird Inc 2014
www.GoodBirdInc.com
www.BarbarasFFAT.com

How to Address Fear in Parrots

Have you ever been really scared? Perhaps it was a moment when you did not have control. For example as a passenger on a turbulent plane ride, or you realized someone was targeting you to pick your pocket, or you were stuck in a big crowd of people pushing you opposite to where you wanted to go. The adrenalin rushes associated with those scary moments can be exhausting. Your body may shake, you may squirm, run or panic or even freeze.

Try hard to remember that feeling. It will make you a better parrot trainer.

So many people think what they are doing to an animal is no big deal because they know it is not going to hurt the animal. Think of the parrot that is being restrained against its will for a nail trim. Many parrots show significant signs of stress and fear when restrained by a towel. So much so they are terrified at the sight of a towel. I have also seen this happen with parrots who have been strapped into a harness involuntarily. While the humans may know no physical harm will come to the parrot, the birds dont know that. Their panic is real. Having empathy for that fear is important.

Getting past a fear response is not about forcing an animal through the experience until the event is over. An ideal strategy is to avoid creating the fear response in the first place. This may mean taking things a bit slower. And more importantly it usually meaning pairing things you know your parrot likes with the experience.

I was recently at a friend’s house talking about desensitization and counter conditioning procedures and the different processes that can be used. We decided to explore some of the differences with a cute little terrier named Blue. First we used systematic desensitization. Blue was resting peacefully on a chair. While she lay there we gradually moved a big scary vacuum closer and closer as long as Blue remained relaxed. We made sure she could see us moving the vacuum and watched her responses. Eventually the vacuum was right next to her and she showed no need to be anywhere else and continued resting peacefully.

In the next steps we moved the vacuum cleaner to the center of the room and put treats all around it. Suddenly her body language changed. She sniffed, licked and explored every inch of the vacuum. Later when we moved it to the side she wouldn’t leave it alone, even though all the treats were long gone. Her tail was wagging and her focus was on the vacuum. By pairing something Blue liked with the vacuum we went beyond tolerance to loving the machine.

I use these same procedures with parrots all the time. I certainly don’t want my parrots fearing things like scales, towels, nail trimmers, etc. I start with systematic desensitization and then switch to classical conditioning, and then many times start incorporating operant conditioning. I use shaping with approximations to teach my parrots to actively present specific actions related to the no longer scary object, such as stepping onto the scale or taking fluids from the syringe. But first and foremost I avoid creating a fear response at all costs. Because I know fear is not always easy to overcome.

It’s true I am comforted when a pilot tells me turbulence is expected and for how long. However the truth is I am still much happier when there are no bumps at all.  My flight is even better if there are movies to watch and snacks to enjoy.

Be empathic when your parrot shows a fear response. Take a little time to help him overcome what he fears. The end result is worth it.

Barbara Heidenreich
www.GoodBirdInc.com
Copyright 2012