Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!hellgate.utah.edu!caen!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!rice!uupsi!intercon!news From: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry) Newsgroups: rec.birds Subject: Re: INDOOR- Toilet Training Message-ID: <27C56148.3106@intercon.com> Date: 22 Feb 91 18:21:59 GMT References: <7374@fs2.cam.nist.gov> Sender: usenet@intercon.com (USENET The Magnificent) Reply-To: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry) Organization: InterCon Systems Corporation, Herndon, VA Lines: 20 In article <7374@fs2.cam.nist.gov>, blue@cam.nist.gov (Jim_Blue_x3809) writes: > We are new owners of a friendly 12-week-old African Red-Breasted Parrot, > poicephalus rufiventris. He likes to come out to play, but drops his > droppings fairly indiscriminately on shoulders or laps. What techniques > have people used to train their parrots to use the cage bottom and spare > the clothing and rugs? You are lucky in that the bird is very young and will easy to train. Begin by timing his droppings. They are usually about 20 minutes apart. After he completes one, say a "magic work" (we use "go"...we used to use "shit", but this is embarrassing with Amazons :-)) and praise him. Then take him out of the cage. Just before his next one is due, hold him over an appropriate receptical and say the word until he goes again. Praise him and perhaps give him a treat. It won't take long before he knows that he should go whenever you tell him to. As long as you can remember every "n" minutes to give him the opportunity, he should be easily trained. These little guys are far from stupid. Mikki Barry -- Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com