How To Train a Cockatiel

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If you want to learn how to train a cockatiel, the first thing you're going to need to do is buy a young bird. Your best bet for buying a cockatiel is probably from a breeder, because they will be able to tell you exactly how old it is. If your only option is buying your cockatiel from a pet store than a good place to look for its age is on the leg band as that is where it is sometimes kept. If your bird doesn't have a leg band, then you need to ask the store but they probably won't be able to tell you.

Before you begin training your cockatiel, you need to make sure that it feels comfortable with its surroundings. You should put it in a cage that is around regular activity. Make sure that you have plenty of perches for the cockatiel to hang out on as well as plenty of fresh food and water.

If you have a family, then the living room is a good place to put it if that's where your family hangs out. Your cockatiel is going to need time to adapt to its surroundings. A good way to judge whether your bird is getting comfortable with a situation is if it starts preening itself comfortably around the activity. Before you buy the bird you need to make sure that it doesn't seem like a nervous sort. When you bird starts feeling comfortable in preening itself around people, it's about time to start training.

You need to know that it's going to take a lot of time and patience to train your cockatiel. When you are starting out with your training, you need to start with two or three short sessions every day. If you're running short on time, then it has to be at least once. All birds are unique individuals so training time is going to vary from bird to bird. You should never rush your bird or be impatient with the, just let it learn as it becomes ready to. Don't ever use a glove when you're training a cockatiel, as this has a tendency to make them nervous and uncomfortable.

First Week Of Training

During the first week of training, you need to approach the cage slowly speaking the bird's name softly if it has one. Make sure that the bird sees you and know that you are watching it and communicating with it. Repeat this process each time you draw near to the bird, whether feeding it or just watching it. This will teach the bird it's name and also help to build it's trust in you. When the bird trusts you it will make the training process a lot easier.

Always act friendly towards your cockatiel, and never speak harshly to it. Every time you approach the cage use kind words, and whenever it performs well with its training give it a treat.

Feed Training

The next process of the training, is to try and get it to take food. You want your cockatiel to accept you being close to it, so at first try feeding it while you're standing next to the cage. If the cockatiel won't eat it while you're next to the cage, then try backing slowly away from the cage while holding the food in the same spot. If the cockatiel starts eating the food when you move away from it, then it is the space that the bird wanted. Each day you need to move closer and closer to the cage when it is eating and it will grow more comfortable with you. Remember to always be patient with the bird and never move too quickly. If it starts to show signs of nervousness or tension then back away slowly and give it the room that it needs. Your bird will soon start to feel comfortable around you if you take your time with this.

Feeding the Cockatiel by Hand

You don't want to start trying to feed your cockatiel by hand until it is used to you standing by the cage while it is eating regularly. Give the bird a little less food than you normally do, and when it is finished and is looking for more, put a little in your hand and see if it will take it. If the bird doesn't take food out of your hand, then place the food in its dish and try again later. By repeating this process the bird will grow more comfortable with you and eventually will eat the food from your hand. Don't ever try to starve your cockatiel in order to get it to eat from your hand as that is just wrong, and always make sure that you use it's favorite foods for training. Remember this process could take a very long time, but you must have patience and it will pay off. You will also get to know your bird better and it will learn to trust you fully.

If you have a cockatiel then chances are you need supples for it. Be sure to check out the listings on this site for cockatiel cages and food supplies. I hope that you found these tips on how to train your cockatiel helpful and if you like feel free to leave a comment and add some tips of your own.