How to Clicker Train a Bird

A clicker is a small piece of plastic and metal sold at any pet shop. It makes a distinctive noise when you press it, which you can train your bird to recognize and respond to in a specific way. It makes an easy and fun means to interact with your bird and helps him learn new tricks and good behavior.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bird clicker
• Bird treats
• Popsicle stick or similar object

1. Train your bird to touch or grab a popsicle stick. It's a simple and easy-to-remember move, and you can then use it to develop more complex commands.

2. Click the clicker and give your bird a treat when you do. This doesn't have to be in conjunction with the particular trick or command, as you simply want the bird to associate the clicking noise with a treat. Repeat the process until the bird clearly understands the connection.

3. Place the popsicle stick directly in front of the bird. When he touches it, press the clicker and give him a reward. Repeat the process several times, rewarding the bird each time he touches the stick or grabs it in his beak.

4. Move the popsicle stick away from the bird, so that she has to move a bit to grab it. Continue the process, pressing the clicker whenever the bird touches or grabs the stick, rewarding her and moving the stick still further away whenever she seems to have made the connection.

5. Refrain from using the clicker after the bird has gotten the hang of the command, unless he performs it specifically. For instance, stop using the clicker and the reward when the bird simply touches the stick. Use it only when he actively grabs it with his beak.

6. Add more complicated permutations gradually, using the clicker and the popsicle stick in conjunction. For example, by moving the popsicle stick up and down, you can get the bird to bob her head up and down, or by turning it around her in a slow circle, you can get her to turn in circles. There are many possible commands, but you should select one and stick to it to avoid confusing the bird.

7. Use the clicker each time until the bird clearly understands the connection to the most sophisticated version of the trick. For instance, once he has learned to bob his head up and down, do not reward him for just grasping the stick. Reward him only when he bobs his head up and down.

Tips & Warnings

• Limit your training sessions to 10 minutes or so. Otherwise, the bird will grow bored, and your attempts to train him will become less effective.
• You don't necessarily need to use a popsicle stick when training the bird. Just use something he can follow and grasp with his beak. It can be a pencil, a twig or anything that gets his attention. However, it should always be the same thing for each training session.
• Never punish a bird for bad behavior. It doesn't work and the bird may continue the bad behavior as a way of getting your attention. If he doesn't respond to your clicker training, simply fail to reward him. He'll get the message faster that way.