Tips For Potty Training a Parrot

Nobody likes to be pooped on by an animal; however, it does happen from time to time if you have untrained animals in your house. A bird's runny poop is no fun to clean off of your brand new shirt or your pricey pair of shoes. A great thing to know about parrots is that they can be potty trained. You can actually teach your parrot not to go on you or to go in the "potty" if they are out of their cage. Just follow these simple steps and your bird won't poop on you ever again, hopefully!

Some birds can be potty trained by just hearing simple commands from their owners. However, this method has been frowned upon by some because some birds will wait for that command so long that they will not defecate causing them to have severe kidney problems. However, there are ways to make an elimination schedule for your bird. They can eventually know to go on the paper or a certain special place without pooping up your house or you.

If you want to start potty training your bird, each time you pick up the bird and take him out of the cage, set it on a perch with paper underneath. Don't handle the bird until it has relieved itself. Some birds will automatically poop when handled so it is best to put them on the perch right away. After the bird goes, you should have a good 20 or 30 minutes to play with your feathered friend before he poops again. Place the bird back onto the paper and wait for him to go again. Once he goes, you can reward him with a special treat.

An important key factor to potty training your parrot, is knowing its' behaviors before it goes. Sit and observe the bird while in the cage. Look at how it moves or begins to act when it is about to go. Most birds will become fidgety and start to wiggle their tail.

Another important key factor to take into consideration when potty training your parrot over paper, is not to leave important documents around. Remember your parrot cannot read or let alone know which documents are the most important, so it is advisable that you only have newspaper around your parrot when he is out of the cage.

Now when your friend is out of the cage, you have him trained to go onto the paper, but if you want him to learn your verbal cues to release him self; you can start by having him in the cage. Watch your bird closely like I mentioned before. Right when he is ready to poop, immediately say a verbal cue like "Good bird" in a quiet voice. You will want to use the same words over and over so that your bird knows that those words are said at the time of pooping. You can then continue to reward him every time he goes to your verbal command.

If you want him to go to the potty when out of the cage you can start by holding him over a trash can and saying your verbal cue. This may scare your parrot at first, however, it will get used to being held over the empty hole. You can then place him over the potty while saying your verbal cue. Remember, verbal cues can cause birds to not go, so it is important that you understand your bird and that your make sure you are using your verbal cue as necessary. There was an account of a lady who had to say her verbal cue over the phone because her bird didn't poop in three days. So take care of your feathered friend and enjoy their company much more.

I hope that this article will be of some help and guidance to you God Willing.

Bibliography

Athan, Mattie Sue, and Michelle Earle-Bridges. Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot. Danbury: Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated, 2007.