How to Potty Train a Bird

Birds are more difficult to potty train than dogs or cats. They go when they feel like it, and it's never much fun if your bird happens to be on your shoulder when nature calls. Some birds can be potty trained, however, if the owner commits to the process and uses firm and patient techniques to train him properly.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small treats

1. Learn the signs that your bird is about to use the potty. A bird tends to follow a fairly regular schedule for relieving himself and often exhibits a change in behavior right before he does so, such as moving his tail, crouching low, spreading his feathers or moving backwards. Observe his behavior and note both the specific changes and the time of day right before he relieves himself.

2. Choose a command phrase to help potty train your bird. Consistency is key in all forms of training, and you want to use a single, easy-to-understand command every time you tell your bird to use the potty. It should be direct, and the bird should never mistake it for another command. Something like "go poop" or "go potty" works best.

3. Pick a specific place where the bird will go potty. It could be a receptacle in his cage, a waste-paper basket or a paper plate that you can then discard. You want the bird to associate a single object with pooping, so choose one and stick to it.

4. Place the bird on your finger (or have her step up if she is trained to do that), and hold her over her "toilet" when you believe she is getting ready to relieve herself. Repeat your chosen command phrase, and then praise the bird as she relieves herself.

5. Reward the bird with a small treat, but make sure that it is something that he will only receive once he has relieved himself in the proper receptacle.

6. Repeat the process every time your bird goes potty, never wavering until you train him to go on command. He will eventually associate the spot and your command with the need to relieve himself.

7. Tell the bird to go potty before you pick her up or engage in some other activity where bird droppings are not a part of the plan. She will relieve herself properly, and you can then proceed without worrying about accidents.

Tips & Warnings

• While you can train many birds to poop on command, you can't always stop them from pooping at other times too. You can cut down on the mess a great deal when you potty train a bird, but "accidents" will always be a possibility.
• Don't scold the bird if he poops where he shouldn't. Scolding isn't effective as a training tool, and the bird may repeat the behavior as a way of getting your attention.