How to Train a Parakeet? (Parakeet Training)

Hello, fellow bird enthusiasts!

If you’re a proud parakeet owner like me, you already know how delightful and intelligent these little feathered companions can be.

Training your parakeet can be an incredibly rewarding experience that strengthens the bond between you and your feathered friend.

In this article, I’ll share simple and effective tips on how to train a parakeet, making the process enjoyable and successful for both you and your delightful avian companion.

Let’s embark on this exciting journey of parakeet training together!

How to Train a Parakeet?

The easy way to hand train your new pet is, to begin with, a baby budgie or Parakeet.

Baby budgies have dark catchy eyes, with iris recognized easily.

They have dim stripes on their head quills and also have dark tips on their mouth.

Any budgie or parakeet under about four months old enough is a child and will be a decent possibility for finger training and educating to talk.

His flight feathers should be managed so he can’t take off and hurt himself while you are becoming more acquainted with one another.

1. Clip the Wings

parakeet wing tip

Before you bring a parakeet home, ask the store owner to cut two of its wing quills properly so the bird cannot take off for quite a while.

Quills develop back decently fast; however, a one-time trim ought to have the option to give you sufficient opportunity to prepare the bird in understanding you.

When you bring a parakeet home from the pet store, it is critical to allow it to get acquainted with the house.

It is ideal for keeping it in a separate room that is quiet and safe.

Leave the Parakeet with its wings clipped in its new enclosure in the room and visit two or multiple times that day yet don’t open its cage.

A while later, you can choose if you need to keep trimming the bird’s quills.

Let him get adapted to the environment first to get comfortable.

2. Teaching Your Parakeet to Step Up and Step Off 

parakeet step up

Encouraging your pet to adapt to your habits and environment is the principal conductor for which you’ll need to prepare him.

You can encourage it to step up and step off.

In case he’s sensibly hand restrained, you can instruct him to step up onto your finger and see if he follows you or not; otherwise, you can use a wooden roost.

You can keep the millet spray with you and take your budgie to a separate room where you can train him more easily without any interference or disturbance.

This causes the pet to be more comfortable and learn your ways.

How to Train Parakeets to Step Up?

You need to have to follow a few basic steps for this purpose.

  1. Slowly reach your hand into the parakeet’s cage and bring your forefinger broadened.
  2. Press your finger delicately against his abdomen’s lower part and talk to him by saying step up or come on. Most birds quickly step up as a reflex since they normally need to roost on the most elevated point accessible.
  3. When he steps onto your finger, offer him a snack of millet and start talking to him like he understands you.
  4. You can work this quickly by setting your other finger in front of the finger that the bird is sitting on but a little higher and then again talk to him to step up on your next finger. Repeat the process until your budgie completely understands what is going on.
  5. Repeat this interaction a couple more times as long as your Parakeet doesn’t appear to be stressed. In case he does, give him an opportunity to rest before you hold another instructional course. With work, stepping up will turn out to be natural for him.

How to Train Parakeets to Step Off?

Then you have to teach your Parakeet to step off, which is merely easier than teaching him to step up.

  1. You need to slowly return your bird back to his perch.
  2. Then, you can place your hand next to the perch in an inclined position slowly and lower it so that your bird is inclined and needs to step on it.
  3. While doing this, tell your bird to “step off” and give him something to eat.

3. Finger or Perch Training

You can start finger training with your budgie immediately, or you can utilize a roost or a wooden perch to begin your preparation.

A parakeet may nip at your fingers out of dread; in case you are at all apprehensive about being bitten, you can utilize a little wooden roost to prepare him.

  1. Put the roost or your finger under his feet and release your budgie gently from the towel. He will vacillate off, not understanding what you need him to do yet.
  2. Just drop the towel over him, pick up your Parakeet, and return him to the roost or perch. You may need to repeat the step multiple times before he gets the possibility that you need him to remain on the roost.
  3. Try to keep speaking continuously when you are working with him.
  4. Once he is perched on the roost without taking off, appreciate him by rubbing his head and use a simple voice and talk to him like you talk to people in a normal routine.
  5. He may not get what you are saying, but he will understand that you are content with him.
  6. When he gets the thought, you will know because the happy parakeet’s body language will communicate with you by feather fluff and tail wag.

4. Move to the Other Finger

Continue to attempt until the bird is on your hand. Offer some millet or other treats; however, don’t constrain your bird to eat in case it doesn’t want to eat.

Now, take your other hand and attempt to have the bird step from one finger to the next; you may need to push at the base of its feet to get it to move.

Now it might attempt to chomp, so remain alarmed and recall not to snap your hand away.

You can use a glove for safety purposes if needed.

In the event that the bird takes off, simply repeat this process until your bird is back from stepping on one finger to the next.

Offer him food each time but don’t force him to eat it.

5. Repeat The Process

Keep the instructional process short, for about 15 minutes more than one time per day.

You can repeat this daily schedule until the bird starts to feel comfortable coming out of the cage willingly.

In case your bird doesn’t react to this kind of preparation, don’t be worried; there is more than one approach to preparing a budgie.

You can follow other instructions.

6. Talk To Your Bird

talking to parakeet

Talking to your bird in a happy and more active tone will let your bird get motivated and get used to routine-based chats.

You can teach him your language.

Baby birds need lots of time to sleep and eat.

Keep your training periods for the budgies very short, which will be upbeat and fun for you both.

7. Train Your Pet to Talk

This process requires some legitimate spot and time for talking to your budgie and exercises that are significant.

You don’t need your bird to be drained or occupied by different exercises in the home.

Parakeets or Budgies like music or any such audio with high pitch, which makes it simpler and easier for the kids or females to talk to them and train them.

Not all parakeets will talk.

However, some can end up with a broad vocabulary.

At the point when you are not really preparing your bird, draw it in towards a typical discussion as you move around and converse with it as though it could comprehend what you are saying, getting it more used to hearing a human voice as a perk of its regular daily existence.

  1. Move your bird to a peaceful room where he’ll have the option to hear you plainly.
  2. Choose a solitary word in any case, as a beginner to talk with a simple Hi.
  3. Get near your pet and rehash your picked word for a couple of moments, which will give him an opportunity to understand and truly center around the sounds you make. You can tell he’s thinking in case he cocks one side of his head toward you, and his pupils will dilate.
  4. Repeat the word gradually for a couple of moments and afterward return your bird to his cage.
  5. Speak the word that you want him to learn at first whenever you move around his cage to collaborate with him and change his food and water. In case you’re fortunate, your bird may give you a response with that word.
  6. Once he aces his first word, you can proceed onward to the following word you’d like him to learn. Numerous budgies will learn faster with each new word or expression.

8. Calling your Parakeet to Come to You

Preparing your Parakeet to come to you when called will be the next move to teach your Parakeet.

This is the most important training as your pet should be more attached to you during your regular exercise and experience with him in a confined room.

This process requires a few basic steps.

  1. Press your finger delicately against the lower body of your Parakeet and request him to step up using millet or food to motivate him. When he steps up, reward him with the millet and then order him to step off.
  2. next, add a little distance between your finger and the roost; around four inches ought to be sufficient. Hold the millet near your finger with your other hand, and this time request that your pet “come” or “fly to me
  3. You can keep on repeating the word or expression at regular intervals until your pet jumps the brief distance to your hand, and afterward, reward him with a treat and somewhat more millet.
  4. Repeat this process at this brief distance until your Parakeet reacts quickly when you advise him to come.
  5. Slowly go on increasing the distance with each fruitful instructional course until your bird will come to you from any place inside the room.

9. Have Patience

Comprehend that preparation for a bird requires some investment, and there is no set measure of time it takes an individual bird to get familiar with specific conduct.

Some budgies figure out how to step up or come when called inside a couple of meetings, while others may require weeks or months, and talking is a profoundly singular ability that numerous budgies won’t ever dominate.

Whatever occurs, stay patient with your pet, and acknowledge him for what his identity is.

Recollect that he has no power over his living conditions, and he depends on you for his well-being and bliss.

10. Quickly Training a Parakeet

Since parakeets are friendly and lively birds, it ought not to take too long to even consider preparing them.

The time required may shift among parakeets and is likewise impacted by how long is gone through with the bird.

The entirety of the birds can require a week or less to prepare, and their abilities have improved with more practice after that.

Try not to surrender; it isn’t exceptionally tedious to prepare a parakeet.

What Foods to Feed Your Parakeet?

There are several food items for your pet birds, such as fruits, seeds, vegetables, nuts, pellets, and treats for Parakeets out there.

Try not to give your bird too much if they don’t want to eat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, parakeet training can be a delightful and fulfilling endeavor for both you and your feathered friend.

Through patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can establish a strong bond and trust with your parakeet, unlocking their intelligence and unique abilities.

Remember, each parakeet is an individual with its own personality and learning pace.

Be understanding of their needs and limitations, and tailor the training approach accordingly.

Celebrate even the smallest achievements, as they are stepping stones towards a well-trained and happy parakeet.

Keep the training sessions short, fun, and engaging to prevent boredom and ensure a positive experience.

Always use gentle methods and never force your parakeet to do anything against its will, as trust is the cornerstone of successful training.

Additionally, provide a stimulating environment with toys, perches, and social interaction to keep your parakeet mentally and physically enriched.

With patience, love, and a bit of creativity, your parakeet will surprise you with its ability to learn tricks, mimic sounds, and respond to commands.

The journey of training a parakeet is as rewarding as the destination, as you build a cherished friendship that will last a lifetime.

So, embrace the joy of parakeet training, and may you and your feathered companion share countless moments of laughter, learning, and mutual understanding as you embark on this exciting adventure together!

FAQ

Can I train my parakeet if it's already an adult?

Yes, you can train adult parakeets as well as young ones. While younger parakeets might learn faster, adult parakeets can also be trained with patience and consistency.

What are some basic tricks I can teach my parakeet?

Some basic tricks to start with include target training (touching a stick with their beak), step-up commands (stepping onto your finger), and recall training (coming when called).

How long should I train my parakeet each day?

Keep training sessions short, around 5 to 10 minutes, to maintain your parakeet’s interest and prevent fatigue. You can have multiple sessions throughout the day.

What type of treats should I use for positive reinforcement?

Use small, healthy treats like millet, seeds, or small fruit pieces. Avoid sugary or fatty treats, as they can lead to health issues.

How do I handle biting or aggressive behavior during training?

If your parakeet exhibits biting or aggression, stay calm and avoid reacting negatively. Pause the training session and resume later. Identify the cause of the behavior and address it accordingly, seeking help from an avian veterinarian or trainer if necessary.

Last Updated on August 1, 2023 by Lily Aldrin

About Lily Aldrin

I am Lily Aldrin. I attended Cornell University, where I obtained my degree to become an Ornithologist so I could pursue my love of these magnificent creatures in and out of their natural habitats.

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