How to train parrots to make less noise

Parrots are fun, beautiful creatures. They love to communicate with each other and their owners. However, sometimes parrots can make too much noise. How can you train your parrot to make less of a ruckus? Read on to learn how to train parrots to make less noise.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Parrot
• Blanket or cover for their cage
• Patience

1. Remember that parrots react to the emotions of their owners. The more emotional your reaction, the bigger a response you'll get from your parrot. It is important to stay calm and remember that parrots do make noise. The key is to teach your parrot to make an acceptable level of noise.

2. When your parrot is making noise, try to determine the reason for the noise. Is your parrot injured? Is it hungry? Does it need food or water? It is important to tend to any physical needs that your parrot may have, without rewarding it with other attention for making noise. Once you have determined that your parrot is safe, leave it alone. The more your parrot is rewarded and given attention for making noise, the more noise it will make.

3. Use positive reinforcement with your parrot. Reward it with praise, love and plenty of attention when it's being calm and quiet.Parrots are social creatures. Parrots commonly chatter to each other throughout the day. Think of it as your saying "Hello," to your children or neighbors. When your pet chirps during the day, in acceptable noise levels, respond to it's chirp by talking with your parrot. This is also a great time to get it out of it's cage and hold it, pet it, and give it plenty of love and affection.

4. When your parrot is making too much noise, tell it "No," calmly and firmly. As long as your parrot is safe and not injured, leave it alone and do not respond to its noise. If the noise level continues, cover your parrot's cage and tell it "No." Uncover the cage after your parrot has calmed down and is no longer too noisy. If you reward your noisy parrot with attention, you are actually teaching it to make noise when it wants attention. Leaving it alone is critical.

5. Anticipate and address events that may make your parrot too noisy. For example, if your parrot screams when people enter the house, move your parrot into a different room when you're expecting company. Once your visitors have integrated into the home, you can return your parrot to the room where it can join the festivities.

Tips & Warnings

• Parrots are social creatures. Expecting them to always be quiet is like asking a dog to act like an alligator--it just isn't going to happen. Teach your parrot what levels of noise are acceptable in your family.
• Your parrot may be screaming and yelling because it is injured or has an actual physical need. Always check on your parrot to make sure it's safe before ignoring it's screaming. Parrots respond to their surroundings just like children. A noisy house filled with lots of action is more likely to generate a noisy parrot than a calm, quiet house. Choose your parrot's location so that it has a balance of activity and quiet time.