How to Buy and Train Doves

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By kcwriter
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Buy and Train Doves

If you are thinking of buying and training a dove, an important distinction needs to be made first. Doves and pigeons are not the same. Pigeons have the homing instinct; doves do not. Doves are smaller and less “outdoor-savvy” than a pigeon. The birds used in the romantic scene of white doves released at a wedding are not doves. They are homing pigeons.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Consider your local pet store to buy a dove. However, doves come in a variety of colors, and a pet store has space constraints. So, you may not have many choices.
Step 2

Check with breeders as an alternative. Some can be found online (See resources).
Step 3

Understand that training your dove will be very limited. At best, you may be able to train it to perch on you or return to its cage. Some doves are used in magic tricks, and there are books on the subject. However, the bird is not so much trained as tamed.
Step 4

Get used to handling your dove. The more the two of you get to know each other, the easier the training will become.
Step 5

Try using treats as a reward when it returns to its cage or perches on your shoulder or finger. It works for dogs, and this kind of operant conditioning might work on the dove eventually.
Step 6

Whistle like you would if training a dog or horse. Again, the dove does not “think” like a dog or horse, so its reasoning for responding is not the same, but this type of conditioning is worth a try.