Clicker Training | Bryan’s Angels - A Blog dedicated to my Companion Parrots, Kiki & Kermit

Many of friends asked me how do I train Kiki and Kermit to be an ultimate performer? There’s no secret on how train them to be like one. Many parrot owners will suggest best to start training since young. Does that mean if I have a adult bird, the bird will never be an ultimate performer?

Many experienced trainers and even parrot books suggested to start off training from a young age. Frankly speaking, age is not the key issue to parrot training. Even an African Grey which is in its mid-20s is still learning new things. But it’s always good to start training early, as it’s one best method to prevent and eliminate behavioral problems.

When I got Kiki and Kermit, I started basic training as soon as they get settle down to the new environment. To date (based on 18th April 2008), Kiki had already mastered 14 parrot tricks and Kermit mastered 4 basic parrot tricks. That’s an achievement! Both of them are still learning new things, so I expect the figures to grow!

So start off quickly with some simple training like step-up command. This is the first basic command, that I introduced to my parrots when I first go them. Then from there, add-on with other basic tricks like Turn-A-Round. Always be consistent with your training and train daily.

It’s always good to allocate a specific time when to conduct training session. Both of my parrots have their own specific time for training, once in the morning and the other at the evening. I always try to allocate 2 training sessions per day, although the morning slots are usually optional. You can have training sessions as much as 3 per day of 10-15 minutes, but no longer that.

Conclusion, the golden words to the success in parrot training:

Start training early
Be consistent in training
Train daily
and Patience!

Good luck and happy training your parrots!

After weeks of training with the help of the clicker, I’m able to get Kermit to perform several different kind of basic tricks. It’s a great improvement and I’m totally delighted!

Well, I didn’t expect Kermit to be like Kiki to be an ultimate performer in the future. I just hope with the introduction of trick training will help solving some of the behavior issues that start to surface as Kermit matures through his developmental stage.

The following command and tricks that Kermit performed in the video are:

Touch the Stick (Target Training) - Warming Up Session
Turn-Around Trick
Hand-Shaking Trick
Waving Hello Trick

In Kermit’s Tricks Collection, you noticed that I’ve included the touch the stick command (Target Training) as the warming up exercise for Kermit. It’s the usual habit that I exercised as a trainer. Even Kiki is not spared for the warming up exercises. Before getting her to perform any tricks or learning any new tricks, I will get her to perform some warming up exercise like touching the target stick or performing other basic commands like Step-Up or Step-down.

The purpose of the getting them to perform some this simple warming-up stints, will ensure that my angels (Kermit and Kiki) build up the training confident and the attention given to me. Usually after the a few exercises, Kermit and Kiki will be more attentive and sensitive to the cues. Try it and you understand the differences that I trying to elaborate.

The tricks that I taught Kermit were of the similar steps that was implemented on Kiki. The only difference is the additional presence of the clicker to help highlight the right behavior that Kermit does.

Anyone interested in teaching your companion parrots these basic tricks can refer back to my previous posts on Kiki’s trick performances. These posts highlighted some tips and simple steps in training the respective tricks. Good Luck! Like i usual like to say Patience is the key to success!