Feedback Appreciated for BirdTricks.com’s 1st ever “LIVE” Event

I recently bought a 5yr old umbrella cockatoo. He loves my wife and gets along with 5 other birds and 2 dogs. But, he will try to attack me (vicious) every chance he gets. If you have an answer ….please let me know if there is anything I can do.

I would love a training session on bird health &/or bird first aide. I know this is not trick training but feel you must be able to keep your birds healthy to keep them happy & willing to learn new tricks with you. I hope you consider this & maybe even make a handguide or video that could be purchased.
Sue Gerrity
Adrian, MI

Hi, I am particulary Interested in teaching Oscar to fly back to me. I have allowed his flight feathers to grow back, and as a result it’s necessary to put a harness on him when we go out.
He talks, ( more so with the radio playing ). He has learnt a number of tricks (lessons) once or twice a day.
Regards Ian

Not able to Join you for a live event. I don’t travel without Oscar.

It may be too costly to do so – but perhaps having a clicker session with Karen Pryor. Alos a great presenter and animal trainer is Ken Ramirez ( author ” animal training” aka the trainer’s bible). He is from shedd aquarium but trains all sorts of animals- also an interesting presenter. Definately interested in travel to orlando- great location- and interested in advanced topics – tricks-as well as basic household manners- not nipping, not screaming.
Another intersting presenter- Thad Lacinak and Chuck Tompkins from Sea World- they held a dog training seminar that was phenomenal!!

I just got your e-mail and I think this is a great idea. I just hope it goes well and you can tour to different city’s. I live in MA and it would be difficult to travel to florida just after christmas. If you were closer to me I would go for sure. I did think of someone for a guest speaker that is very interesting and an inspiration to the intellegence of our parrot friends. People don’t realize how smart parrots are and this may hamper training by under estimating them. Dr. Irene Pepperburg would be a great guest speaker for your show. I think people would enjoy her thoughts.
I also think that there should be small segments on grooming, health tips, vaccinations and if you should vaccinate your bird, quick emergency tips and things that can be harmful if ingested. These things may save a birds life. Just these things alone would make me buy a ticket to this event. Training is an important part of owning a bird but combine that with proper health care procedures and tips and you will have a bunch of happy birds and bird owners. I hope these ideas are helpful I think I put all these thing together because I am a veterinary tech. and education can keep our birdie friends happy and healthy. With good health and your good training techniques this would be a great show that will help many. Thanks
Tracy

I have a beautiful African Grey. He/she always is very well groomed and looks perfect all of the time. This bird imitates so many sounds that it is amazing. I never tire of hearing him go through his repertoire. He is also very territorial with his cage and will bite very hard if you put a hand in there. He rarely comes out of the cage but when he says “Let me out” I always do.

The bird seems very defensive of his space but seems much more friendly out of the cage. He will accept no treats for any kind of performance so I don’t know how to train him.

He does say “thank you” everytime I feed him in the morning. I suspect the bird is smarter than me and I am the pet. There is no cuddling, backscratching or any signs of affection. I should have gotten a puppy.

I don’t see the interaction between my parrot and others I see from time to time. I really don’t want to have sex with my bird but I would enjoy more companionship. I am sure the bird has that affection in him.

I have suffered complete performations of both my top and bottom lips trying to offer a kiss. I don’t let him get that close anymore.

Even after purchasing all of the training videos, I have yet to begin a training program. I have a totally amazing, intelligent bird living in my home and we don’t relate. I am sad about that.

If the bird was plucking chest feathers or doing any self-destructive behaviour I would be concerned but he always looks perfect.

The bird really enjoys his time out on the front porch
while all the little kids are out there playing, yelling and screaming. He knows all those sounds I suspect I will be hearing those sounds until the end of my days

I would love to lay on the couch and have this bird walk upon me and let me touch him without getting bitten. He is an excellent African Grey and I would love to be his excellent host.

Come to Australia and do a LIVE show! :0)
There are HEAPS of bird lovers over here too!

I’d love to come to Florida, but to come from California on a Friday takes all day. So, I would have to miss a day of work $$$ to come plus a $600 plane fare, $200 for a room for 2 nights and $150 for a rental car. PLUS I’d have to get some one to care for my birds for $40 per day plus the price of the show. With the gas prices so high most people are paying about $200 more per month for gas so no one wants to spend $1000 for a weekend. It is a great idea for someone who lives in the area to attend. Send me a DVD for $20 afterwards. You guys are great.

I WOULD SO VERY MUCH LIKE TO BE THERE BUT IT IS SO VERY
FAR AWAY…WILL YOU EVER COME TO CALIFORNIA PLEASE???

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR MAIN TOPIC IS “SO YOUR BIRD WON’T LET
YOU TOUCH HIM?’ I AM SO INTERESTED IN THIS…I CAN TOUCH HIM WITH MY NOSE AND THAT IS ALL!!! HE EVEN CUDDLES UP TO IT..I WOULD LIKE TO HOLD HIM IN MY HANDS,
SO I THINK THIS IS A GREAT CHOICE YOU MADE AND IF I
WERE THERE, I’D BE GLUED TO YOUR EVERY WORD.. GOOD LUCK
ON YOUR VENTURE AND WILL IT BE SOMEHOW TELEVISED OR
ON A LIVE LIKE WEBSITE THAT I COULD WATCH?

RGDS, JANET

Hi Chet,
I’d love to come to Orlando in January. I’d like to learn some of the basics (that you probably have covered in the video, etc. I haven’t had time to watch. I adopted my African Gray in October 07. Have a lot to learn since he’s my first parrot. Any idea of cost? I

Hi Chet,
I’d love to come to Orlando in January. I’d like to learn some of the basics (that you probably have covered in the video, etc. I haven’t had time to watch. I adopted my African Gray in October 07. Have a lot to learn since he’s my first parrot. Any idea of cost? I’d like to come.

Hi Chet,
I’d love to come to Orlando in January. I adopted my first African Gray at 10 years of age. Have ordered your videos, etc. (when you had your “new baby” special) and haven’t had time to study, practice, etc. since I live a fast life. I’d rather learn some of the basics in person at a seminar. Any idea of cost?

Thanks for asking for input.

Roger

When you have one on the west coast let me know.

Hello yes i would like to make a suggestion but before that can not go to florida cause i am leaving in connecticut , but i would like to see it on webcam or video and my topic i have 2 lovebirds and am still have problems with them, in your dvd volumen 1 i never see a lovedbirds in training i would like to sse that my male bird is soo wild and he get scare for nothing the female is more easy and i can teach her well she very slow learning but she is on track but the male it looks he never gona learn , can you make this topic for lovebirds

Sorry cannot attend – all the way from South Africa. Will keep up to date with you website info……… enjoying!

I have one African Grey, one Senegal, 9 cockatiels, one parakeete and one wild dove. i live in a studio apartment and do not keep my birds caged. when i leave for the day the Grey and the Senegal are placed in the bathroom, one on some portable shelves over the toilet and one on the towel rack by the sink. they spend the day in the bathroom with the door open but do not come out. they have their food and water in there for them. my question is that i did purchase your ‘how to stop the screaming’ dvd but it does not apply for my situation. I have no other rooms to go to or ways to separate them all. once the ‘tiels start they don’t stop and that’s when it gets crazy because the Grey will chime in and it makes it totally unbearable. all the birds are cliped with the exception of a few ‘tiels and the parakeet and wild dove. anyway, they are all actually very sweet except for that screaming, which can start any time and never know when it will stop. my tiels consist of 6 females and three males and are all a result of a manufacturing plant by accident. i do give away my babies but that really isn’t the problem. it’s that screaming that drives me crazy, it usually starts with one and then all hell breaks loose. I can’t cage them, they will fight, not to mention that they have their little ‘nesting’ places in the studio that i have set up for them. any suggestions?????
fyi, for the most part my Grey is very sweet and she is not usually loud except for when the ‘tiels start in. then i have to put her back in the bathroom just to get some sanity…..

HELP

My daughter owns a young petite female Moluccan, Maggie, who has full flight feathers, and two dogs. The dogs ignore Maggie, however, when playing in the house the 2 dogs move very fast. Maggie likes to fly around the house to various perches set up for her (including anyone’s shoulder if they’re in the kitchen, for a possible treat). Because Maggie can fly, everyone is very careful about opening/closing doors. There are 2 things I would like to see Maggie learn. One is what I call the safe grab. My own Moluccan (Topper, now in bird heaven) could do this without fail every time, and being he liked to walk around on the floor, it was an excellent way to “very quickly” get him up off the floor to my arm. I could quickly reach down with only my index finger extended and Topper would immediately take hold of my finger with his beak so I could swiftly pull him upwards to my other slightly extended arm. This was easy for my bird to learn because he usually knew before I did that he needed to get off the floor fast; he would bird run towards me, signaling me to pick him up “now!” It saved him from being stepped on many times by my dogs or kids who would charge into the room unaware that Topper was out on the floor.
Back to Maggie, she is very reluctant to let anyone try this with her beak. She will turn away, even fly away, when we try to teach her this “safe grab” concept. Maggie is a “cuddle baby” and loves all family members, but my daughter is her favorite. She wants to be able to pick up Maggie in a hurry, like I used to do with Topper. How can we teach her its okay to hold onto one finger long enough to see that she is being transferred from one spot to the person’s arm, if a situation calls for a quick “safe grab?” I think this could be taught to any parrot, practiced on occassion, and invaluable in an unexpected situation.
Second, without the outdoor free-flight training that I’ve seen done, I would think the most important thing to teach any parrot is to answer you when you give a specific call (word, whistle, etc.) that can be used if the unforseeable happens and your parrot escapes outside. If you can’t even find your bird (because he won’t answer you) you can’t get it back at all. I developed a specific whistle that my bird learned to mimic perfectly. Whenever I whistled that specific way, he responded. I used it to call to him when I was out of sight. He quickly learned it was me “calling” to him and he responded every time. As soon as he answered, I would appear in front of him, take him out and lavish him with love and praise. Thankfully he never escaped, but it was reassuring to know I could “call” him and he would respond to me. The one drawback is that he learned this so well, he would initiate a “call whistle” to me and I was obligated to answer and go to him to reinforce the training, and I did it every time I could. If for some reason I couldn’t go to him right away, I answered verbally so his call to me was never ignored.

Thanks for the opportunity to share my ideas. Keep me informed about the upcoming Orlando event. Sounds awesome!!!

I am hoping to teach Zara, our Umbrella Cockatoo, to fly to me on command. Perhaps this is something you might consider speaking about and demonstrating. gayleen beavan

It would be nice to have the event broadcasted over the internet. Living in Europe, the trip will be to long.

I would like to suggest Shauna Roberts out of Battleground wa. she is affiliated with Gabriel Foundation near Denver Co. Very interesting lady; lots of experience with foraging, behavior and nutrition.
I would also like to see your organic pellets out there! They are eaten and loved by 5 birds now in our care.

Thanks hope was some help

bring it to newcastle england so i can see

Bit of a trek for us travelling from Kent, England.
Also, we have a budgerigar – amazing chap that he is, so a ‘Parrot Convention’ may not be so appealing.
If you ever need a star for a budgie show, we may have one for your talent spot!
Good luck though – always amazing things you come up with!

Hi guys….. unfortunately won’t be able to make it as I live in Perth, Western Australia. However, I wish you all the best for your first live show.

Unfortunately I no longer have my parrot. He has gone to live at a wildlife park where he has lots of freedom and is a great hit with the visitors. Because I am working full time, it was unfair to leave him home alone all day. Now he is in ” bird paradise ” and is very well looked after and is a happy bird. Regards

Hi Chet and Dave,
I’m sure I’m not you’re only outside US subscriber to your emails and programmes and I would love the opportunity to be there in Florida. However, due to the high expense I would not be able to make it. Therefore, might I suggest that you record this event onto DVD or even just post it on your website for the subscribers to view, so that we would be able to see this. I have one problem with my cockatiel, in that he is very unsociable. I spend time with him trick training, but he prefers to sit on top of his cage and will fly off me in order to get there. I’ve tried rewarding him for coming onto and staying on my hand but when the food is gone he flies away. I also read your email about pellet feeding and problems, but my bird only takes millet from my hand if it is over an inch long. Ive tried him on a pellet based diet before and he picks the seed out and leaves the pellet, he’s not stupid at all hehe. Anyway, I would love to see this event from across the pond if that is possible.

kind regards,

Rob Davies

hi chet,im sorry but i wont be able to come as i live in the uk but thanks for inviting me,

I am sorry but I can not come to Florida. I should like to come but I live in Europe – Belgium.
Mariette

What a great idea. Any chance you could come to Australia?
Any ideas on how to deal with amorous parrots who want to ‘mate’ with you? Every time I have Ollie out of his cage he insists on it which makes it difficult to play with him. He is most persistent! ( a pink and grey galah)

Two topics–how to stop screaming, loud contact calling and how to keep a parrot socializing with everyone in household and not superbonding with just one person.

What a great IDEA, to open other persons feeling about birds.
Give me feed back for the following:
COST – (from SA to Orlando) flight, acommodation day’s involved.
Request: if possible to show how to learn a bird potty training, my african grey (gongo) red tail say only : Olla het ge-oeps.
If we could not make it to Orlando can we together with other bird lovers inculding you and your wife and kids (birds) set up something like it in SA in Pretoria or the new name Tswane.
Thank you
I’m looking forward to your response

Elsie Roux

Mike and I live in Tampa which is only about one hour away from Orlando. This would certainly be an event which we would be interested in attending! Be sure to let us know all the details.

Love the idea thanx for the invite but unfortunatly I live in Australia!It might b a little far to come! Looking foward to receiving my order though.

Hi, would love to see you in Australia Melbourne.
My young little Parrot, is going constantly for my ears and pinches my neck.
I am having a hell of a time trying to keep her away from my shoulders.
Otherwise she learns quick and does already a couple of your tricks.
Regards Daniela

Chet – I have 2 green amazons, totally different personalities and would love to come to your show, however we all live in Holland (Europe!!!) so no chance.

Just wanted to say I appreciate and read with great interest all your emails so keep up the great contacts.

Shame we don’t have the opportunity to see you here…

Angela and The Greenies (Karel and Lorre)

My yellow nape amozon in 24 years old. I does about 6 tricks.
Many times when I start the training session he will start to regergitate.
I walk away and come back later but he will do it again.
How do I stop i?t.

I have tried all methods with my bird, but it still bites at random. Would it be ok to use a glove at training? If it is, this should be included in your seminar for the gun shy trainer. I am in New York, so I will not be able to make your Florida seminar.

Sounds very exciting. If your ever up Colorado Springs way, I would love to see some of your ‘family’ and even see you do some basic training with someone else’s pet. I have seen your video where you worked with someone’s pet to teach them to wave and I know that took awhile to accomplish, but it would be great to see how you would get started doing the training. I’m sure the time allowed might be limited, but it would be great to see how you would begin.

Hi Chet
I think this is a great idea. I’d be interested in attending your show. Since there are alot of people who have birds, this would be a great opportunity to meet you and your staff. When you set everything up, please send me details on flights, accomodations.

Karen

Chet,
This sounds like a GREAT idea! And I would be willing to drive the 4 hrs plus to Orlando. (I live in Savannah, GA)
I would like to see some trick training. I have a Senegal and she is being conditioned to be a therapy bird. Maybe some ideas or suggestions about that topic? What a person needs to do in order to have a bird be able to go into nursing homes, hospitals, etc…
Vet approval, papers, etc… We have a lot of dogs and cats as therapy animals; we NEED MORE BIRDS!
Also, maybe have some breeders there or pet shops that specialize in hand fed parrots. Where folks can go to get a well adjusted bird. In fact, I purchased my Senegal, Molly, from Incredible Pets in Melbourne, FL which is right around the corner from Orlando. Maybe get a representative (or sponsor?), to come and let the people know where they can get a wonderful parrot. I was told at the time I purchased Molly that Incredible Pets was rated one of the top 5 pet shops in the nation? I sure got a wonderful parrot.
Also, not only show trick training, but trick training with props. And then where to get some of these props. Such as little scooters, tight ropes, basketball hoops. I would really be interested in that.
Sincerely,
Jill Jasper
Savannah, GA
p.s. I do have some of your training videos and I love them. Molly and I have learned alot.

I wish i could be there,but i am way out here in Ontario Canada,so i will not be able to make it,but it sounds like a great idea. Good Luck

Let me know if you ever come over towards eastern Virginia – Virginia Beach/Norfolk should be a big market for that. I would like to see more information on other types of birds. I have a very smart lovebird, so I don’t know how much the parrot tricks would help someone like me.

Hi Chet,
I love the idea of having a live show and iv always wanted to go to orlando with my sister, but as i live in North West England it would be very expensive for us to get there. If you could give me a better idea of dates and location we may be able to make it.
As for tricks i would love to see how you would start teaching a bird to do some simple tricks and also how to encourage it to learn new words.

I think this is such a great idea! How do I get tickets? I’d be happy to bring my Eclectus if you need a volunteer.

Your “Stop Biting” Techniques are a must! I suggest a talk on how to re-train a bird who belonged to someone else, how to get your bird to get along with another bird or family pet; how children should approach and handle birds. What about a segment in the show where people (no more than 5-10) that have used your techiques to train their own bird to do a trick or say something, make an appearance.

With the guidance you have provided through your CD’s and newsletters on how to train and handle our extended family members, my family reaps the rewards everyday when our feathered friends talk to us, laugh with us and continue to amaze us. Nature is truly a wonderful gift! Thank you for taking the time to teach us how to enjoy it.

I think having a bird first aid course of some sort, being able to identify potential illnesses or quick, effective ways to stop bleeding or mend breaks (of course go to the vet, but sometimes you may need to do something quick).

I dunno, I haven’t had to deal with more than a broken blood feather before but i wonder what else could potentially happen and what i would do about it.

Sounds like fun!! Need dates and times.

I would be most interested in attending a show of that proportion. I personally would be most interested in seeing more advanced tricks and combinations of tricks performed together in a ‘routine’ and how to combine all.

Generally, I would think that target training be discussed and displayed through training, as I believe this is also a training fundamental aswell as getting the audience to participate in clicker training – it would be very interesting and eye-opening for (unbeknown to each other) members of the audience to perform clicker training on each other as an example to clicker training itself – You covered just that in your Elite Trick Training – but perhaps the physical experience would be enlightening (and most entertaining) to all.

Would you consider a show in SA as Elsie suggested? What about targeting just the SA subscribers for a show? How many of us SA’n subscribers are there? Avian Vets, Breeders, owners etc.

I would be interested in the seminar. Depends on affordability to be honest. But you asked about topics of interest?? Personally, I’d have an interest in learning about young birds, as i have an 9 month old Triton too, and what can be expected in changes in behavior at puberty. Right now she is a very good bird. She can wave, fetch, put what she retrieves in a box, do “the bat” she loves to hang upside down, she says “i love you” and “hello” Seldom bites, can be loud sometime. Bragging?? alittle, but your products have helped tremendously. i would be interested in answers for this even if unable to attend, but figure if i wonder what is possible down the road, others may be too. thanks
be well and good bless.

I’ve been following your suggestions for several years now and have made amazing gains with 2 parrots. Our mid 20’s Amazon learned all kinds of things even though she started at such an old age. We were so heartbroken when she suddenly passed on that we immediately bought a 3 month old African Grey Congo. He is now 16 months and I am thrilled at what he can learn with your techiniques and so quickly too. He is just an amazing character. Now onto my question:
This bird, Caesar, has an incredible vocabulary, literally hundreds of words and phrases, and he is only 16 months old. We don’t even have to repeat regularly and he mimics things we say, in both a male and a female voice I might add – pretty funny. He even sings short clips of several songs. I am wondering how to get him to purposefully say things such as use a word to answer a question. Right now, all his talking is fun babble and I am not sure how to redirect it to patterning answers to questions for example. I have never seen such a talented talker.
Thanks for any input you may have.

When you have one in South Africa, let me know!

Would like demo on Bird care for wing clipping, etc……

I’m in Orlando, so I will attend. I am interested in basic training and flight skills. I’ll also look forward to seeing the live training and guest speakers.

OH I’m definitely interested! Depending on the date and time I’ll be there (December thru May is Live Racing here so there is no time off…we don’t dare even call in dead! :-p But if it is at all possible I’ll be there.

TOPIC: I would love to be able to hand-tame my two little parakeets; seeing basic training that up close and personal would be of a great benefit to me.

Yes, I think that would be great…
Joan E. Silva

i have a bird that refuses to be touched at all she wants to but just aint happening wish you could train her on stage that would be a winner for all.

Chet,

I live in Florida and would love to bring our Blue and Gold to your live event. Our Blue and Gold (Max), he talks and says all kinds of stuff; however – he only talks to those humans in his “flock” i.e., me and my fiance. I think that this might be a perfect opportunity, if you could show/teach us how to get Max to be socially interactive with others and speak in front of other people other than his flock.

Let me know what you think

Erica

I can hardly wait. I will be there!!!!! I love your CDs!!!!!! Stop screaming did it’s work in a day. My dear nine year old unbrella cockatoo has been spoiled by me for nine years and in one day her behavior turned into a full time loving sweetheart. I would like to learn more tricks, potty training and anything else I should have known before I purchase this pet. You should be on TV along with the Dog Whisperer.

Hi, this is a fantasic idea!
I’d love to come over to USA,
I have lots of your DVD’s and my family watch them. Max has been taught by your methods. He waves, flaps his wings,yes & no, turns around,and talks a few phases now at 10mths.
He loves his shower time, and morning games & fits in with our family well. BUT……
I’d like to know how to put my Blue & Golds Harness on him, as he’s really really scared of it! If i pick it up he will not come near me, and how do i get him out of this fear, so i can take him outdoors with me. I’ve tried to feed him with it in my hand, but he’s still scared. This bird i just adore, and would like to train him to one day pick up his harness and ask to go outside to play!
Also; Training a bird to answer your question vocally, how?
I’ve seen a bird give correct answers to addition. how?

Please let me know what date in January you are having your show.
Love to see you come over here to Australia!!!

One of the things most helpful to me was the combination of pellet food ( I use Harrison’s ) and teaching my bird to poop on a special stand (with a paper towel under it.) I only use this stand as the “potty chair”. My bird “Feather” will not soil her cage any more. I clean her cage once a week to remove feather dust, but I don’t have to scrub poop any more. I simply take her to her potty chair first thing every morning. We sing and talk while I make coffee and she does her thing. When she is done, I pick her up and we play while I get ready for work. I always take her to her potty chair before I handle her. Sorry I live so far away, I would love to come. Your teachings have made having my bird a joy instead of a nightmare.

I’d like to purchase at least 2 tickets for your up coming show in Orlando in January. I sent you an email about a Titan Cockatoo we rescued from a terrible situation. This bird is beautiful but has a mean streak toward men. My wife can handle him without much problem but, he’s bitten me once through the base of my finger nail, which it took 24 hrs. to stop. We have all seen you train birds on your videos but, I’d like to know if you’d help us when your here so this great bird can be a complete member of our family? I’ve tried the perch stick exersize but, it appears that the people we rescued him from probably beat on the cage when he squacked to try and get him to be quite. He freaks when you even approach his cage or him with a perch in hand. Charlie is about 10 years old and would be an excellent bird to demonstrate your unique abilities on. If you can train him on stage I’m sure it would be one great accomplishment sor bird lover to see in person. If this isn’t something you would do at your event maybe you would be open to a one on one paid training exersize with Charlie and ourselves when your in Orlando? Charlie deserves better.

Sincerely,

Steve and Lori Roland
386-532-3782
steven_t05@hotmail.com

Could you cover issues when a person has 2 African Greys and they are jealous or have territorial issues or dominance or maybe it’s just mating behavior perhaps? or sharing a cage vs not or….. Thank you.

THIS IS GREAT..WOULD BE NICE IF YOU COULD ADDRESS HOW TO GET BIRDS USE TO SOMEONE OF A CERTAIN GENDER AFTER IT HAS BEEN TREATED MEAN BY SAID GENDER. NOT SAME PERSON, DONT EVEN LOOK LIKE SAME PERSON BUT UNFORTUNATELY HE NOW HATES ALL MEN. IF YOU COULD DO THIS ON STAGE, WOW!!!!
ANYWAY, GLAD YOU ARE COMING TO ORLANDO!!!

DEAR CHET,
I WOULD LOVE TO ATTEND YOUR LIVE DEMO AT ORLANDO
PLEASE ALLOW SOME TIME TO TEACH ME HOW TO MAKE
MY BIRD TO LIKE MY HUSBAND.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN AND WHERE THIS WILL BE
IN ORLANDO.
THANKS

Trying to use your techniques with multiple birds. I have two lovebirds who are caged together. Training them together is very difficult… Tips on that would be great!

I would like to see you train a bird to step up, because I have two ringnecks(lilly, and indi) that have been in a cage for 11months, they are also 11 months old, they are very smart and are not cage protective. they let me hand feed them and even pet them, but they will not learn to step up. I am using your training and haveing progress (slow progress) they always seem to regress when I try to move forward with the step up training, I am have a problem bridging the gap. I will share with you something that I have been trying to bridge that gap. I have two other birds (tiels, grace, and roswell) I have included them in the step up training( they already willingly know how to do this, and look forward to stepping up on the hand or stick) I let one of them step up then have them step down with my ringnecks watching (lilly, and indi) and this has gotten them interested in stepping up, so that they can get a seen also. Would you ever use another bird to teach a bird? If so, I would like to see you perform this on stage.
second- My tiel (roswell) loves to free fly two or three laps around my livingroom every day, and this makes him a very happy boy!! He offers this behavior, inwhich everytime he laps my livingroom I click, and give him a seen. He love this and begins to sing and whisle. I would love to teach my other birds how to free fly like my tiel, I would love to have you teach this at your event. I has bridged many gaps for my tiels forward progress. You all are Great, and it is a wonderful thing what you are doing for these birds!!!!!
Sharmel Walkup

1.) How to socialize birds. I read a lot on biting, but not on how to talk my birds into accepting visitors to my house. I’m trying to do that now, and guessing about how to do it.
2.) How to get birds to accept another human gender. If a bird dislikes men or women, can they be trained to accept the opposite gender?

Chet: Thanks for all your information and training tips.Nothing has worked so far except talking. We live in B.C. Canada on Vancouver Island, so could not possibly attend your live presentation. Thanks for the invitation anyway.

June THompson

for those of us who cannot fly out to attend (but sure wish we could) any chance that this can be recorded and posted on your site so we can see the event at our leisure?

PLEASE !!! If this a sucess bring it to the Seattle/Tacoma area ! I know for a fact that it would be a sold out event as there is ton’s of Bird people here that would flock,to use a pun, to such a grand event and were all trying to get information on training and there just isn’t much out there. PLEASE COME HERE !!!!! You and your Brother rock !!!! Thank-you for listening

I have tried your bird talk materials to no avail. I have a big lug of a cocatoo who hisses and flares if you try to touch him with a hand or finger. He loves to get and give kisses/ he bends down or reaches out for kisses and tolerates me toching him with a genle finger caress. The other too is so tame she adores all touch and even showers with me(yeah she has to get blowdried!!!!! i have had my shy guy for two years and we are making progress but he will not relax to any touch but beak kissesnuzzles.

Chet, Sorry we won’t be able to make it, buit I think it’s a great idea. When you get back up here to the NW maybe you can set one up in the Portland/Vancouver area. Thanks again for sharing your expertise !

Paul Knight

how to organise training for multiple birds in a household

Hi, I appreciate what you are doing and thought mabe you should look at RFDtv. thanks…Marilyn

Chet, I think its a great idea I may be able to make it but it would be great if it were on the internet! I have 3 African greys and they bite like crazy. I bought your program and have them on a pellet diet but I can’t stop the biting. Any Suggestions?

Hi,Chet i like to attend that event but i dont know if i can go all the way there in Florida.maybe if i can buy your dvd about the event.i really like my african grey to learn alot of tricks.i furchased your training program and how to learn how to talk.i always play the cd everyday.i would like to know where i can buy all the products you use for training.JUliani know to do the wave,eagle,and one of the sound there of your cd.Juliani know to sing love me tender but one phrase at a time hes trying to complete the song.i can ‘t wait for him to talk.if he want my attention he sing love me tender. he love also the organic food.

What a great idea to do a live show! Unfortunately, money is an issue, along with the fact that we have multiple pets, along with birds. Thanks for invitation and request for topics.

Please tape your event and webcast, if possible, so that we can watch you guys in action. I would love to see an avian vet and have the issues most effecting our feathered friends discussed, plus I have questions about the anatomy and biology of our big green wing, Loli. I’m also interested in creating our own bird first aid kit, finding out how you tell if our big guy is running a fever and really being prepared for the puberty period of our bird’s future. He is now one and a half. From what I’ve been reading it sounds like hell on wheels and I’ve managed to live through several teenagers but this has got me worried.

Our biggest problem is finding the time to work on the clicker training techniques before we attempt to use them on the Big Boy. Your training diet is definately the key for this guy cause he is in love with food.

Do you and your brother ever come to the northeast? Specifically the Lake George area? We’d love to see more hands on work. My husband could definately use some help in the “love/quiet time” area because Loli thinks it’s all fun and roughhousing when Dad shows up.

Hi Chet,
Would be cool if you could have someone from the audience participate. Then when a bird interacts with an audience member & picks up on a new trick or lesson, that would WOW the crowd. Unfortunately, I can’t come to Florida, as I live in UK. It would be far too costly & I couldn’t afford it on disability benefits.

I’ld like to see a bird that knows no tricks learn the first lesson/trick.

hi chet have just received my dvds anad book found the book really interesting and have tried some of your suggestions.I would like to ask you we have an african grey which we keep in an aviary outside but i am finding it very hard to get the bird to totally trust me . S ometime i go to it he will be all loveable, then the nex time i go out he is nasty. is it because we keep oscar outside.
regards theresa

Great idea on the seminar, I live in northern California so I won’t be able to attend, but love the idea of it being published on the web. I have a baby cockatiel, born on December 27th, 2008. He is very loving and attached to me. I started hand feeding him at two weeks old. Loves to be touched and caressed, will step up and also likes to climb up my leg to my shoulder (or where ever I want) starting at my foot. He also does not like my husband, like other bloggers have mentioned. At what age do I start training him? What should be the first thing he learns so that it will lead to him to be willing to learn other things? You might not be able to address this at the seminar, but another blogger might have an answer. Thanks, Terri

I need grooming tips as far as nails.I take my Blue and Gold to the Vet every 9 weeks to have a nail trim and weighed and checked.Can nail grooming be done at home or is the Vet the best bet?

THANKS FOR THE OFFER BUT AS I RESIDE IN THE U.K. I FEEL THERE IS VERY LITTLE CHANCE OF ME ATTENDING.

Great, I would love to attend this event. We have some health issues at this time but hopefully by January they will be resolved and we can get there to perhaps meet you in person. I have a blue senagal and you have been of great help with our care of him. However my husband is retired and sits in the same room with the bird to watch TV. When he leaves the bird screams. How to correct this a problem. The bird is not bonded with my husband but with me . However he seems to resent being left alone in the room alone. I handle him at least once daily and sometimes twice.

Chet,
Im sure where you decide on,will be Excellent, and I wish I could make the live show,but I live in Michigan ,and as U know gas in outragous.
Thank, and ….Break -a-leg
Dean Roberts

This is a fantastic idea, please come to Calgary Alberta.

Kym.

CHET, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TRAIN MY QUAKER WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAY, DVD, DISC, AND YOU ALWAYS SAY CLICKER, WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU CAN NOT USE THE CLICKER?(BAD ARMS AND HANDS)I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT YOU IN THE ONLY WAYS I KNOW HOW, YOUR WEB SITE. CAN I PLEASE GET SOME HELP.
AS FAR AS NEEDING TO FILE YOUR BIRDS NAILS, YOU CAN LEARN TO DO THIS, BUT I CHOOSE TO HAVE THE VET, AND I CONSOLE HER.

My Indian Ringneck, Hyella and I would love to join you but we live in Auckland, New Zealand.

Will you record the session and sell DVD’s for those of us who cannot attend?

All the best with the arrangements and I wish you successful show Chet.

Kind regards
Renette

If you’re successful, how about a repeat performance somewhere in California? Also, I like the idea of being able to view the show on the web. Some of us could probably use some practical advice on sharing our homes with birds. How do we keep them entertained and comfy while minimizing the mess they make? Would air purifiers help control the powdery dust produced by greys?

Hi Chet:
I have taught my Quaker Parrot ‘Birdie’ not to bite. But, she does groom me by removing any moles or spots on my skin, including the scabs that she created removing a spot before. How can I stop the grooming instinct?

I have a year old Blue Fronted Amazon, she is a wonderful bird when she wants to. When I get her out of her cage she will bit me. Even when I’m trying to feed her she will bit me. I raised her since she was 1 month old. She lets me touch her when she wants to. I want to be able to touch her and get her out and in of cage without been bitting by her. I have bought your product but I don’t know where to start and how to work with her. Can you help me? Is really great that you guys are coming to Orlando, Fl.

Hi Chet & Dave,

What a great idea. I won’t be able to attend as I live in Ireland. I am getting a fully weaned baby green wing macaw in September and I would love her to fly to me on command as I would like to take her to the park. if you could talk about this it would be fantastic. I wish you Guys the best of luck. Can we watch on the net.

Hi there, What a wonderful idea! Unfortunately, I live in California & wouldn’t be able to make it to Florida, but I do have a question for you.
I belong to CCAS Central California Avian Society & our Vice President is looking for Speakers involving training. But there are not that many of you out there that visit club meetings. Do you do this, or know of an Avian Trainer that will speak at our meeting?
Thanks for Everything! Carole

I have a Sevier Maccaw that was hatched on July 4th 1991. So I am dealing with an adult bird so to speak, however a couple of years ago she started plucking her feathers and I have tried quite a few things to get her to stop, but to no avail. She looks quite bare, no feathers on her belly nor on her back between her wings, I would love for someone to come up with a solution to get her to stop plucking her feathers. I have tried different kinds of bird bitters, morning showers cleaning her cage on a regular basis and there are no smokers in my home. I am at my wits ends as to what I can do. Would gladly accept any information. Thanks

Karen Pryor or Barbara Heidenreich would be great to see.
It would be great if you could record this seminar for those of us who live a distance.
How much will the tickets be?

I breed different colors of Parrotlets and enjoy hand feeding. I would like to see in you vedeo Parrotlets talking and doing tricks. I would be the first one to buy a Video of Parrotlet and Tricks. More and more Parrotlet are popular in Florida.
Until then,
Santos

I´m from Mexico and my bird it´s a Grey African very young Jack has less than 1 year and these seems to be great, but I have a Restaurant and full time job in here, so that makes impossible for me to be there, but thanks a lot .

What a great idea and I am fortunate enough to live just outside of Orlando (Davenport) I thought Irene Pepperberg would be a great idea as did someone else but what I think would be cool is to take one of our parrots (the audiences) (if possible) to that people can see that these are not just YOUR birds that you are training but less trained parrots. I have 4
4 yr old B and G
3 yr old Hahns
2 yr old Amazon
1 year old U2

My Amazon is VERY shy and I would like to see what could be done with shy birds. Videotaping it would be great

I’ve been patiently trying to at teach my RB2 to talk for over a year. She gets the right syllables but all ‘bird talk’.
I have your bird CDs, but she still talks her native tongue.
Shall I get a talking feathered friend for her as I hear birds pick up ‘talking’ from other birds better.

Hello Chet: unfortunately i cannot attend. I cannot come to florida,but i really wish i could. I still have my nanday conure parrot I just love him to death. He is a one person parrot that responds well to me. any one else that lives in the house he screeches to let me know that some one else is in the house. for me that is great. only one thing, he does say a few words when he wants to, but i would like to know how i can get him to say more. He only talks when he wants to. I would like to see you get a parrot to talk when you want him to talk not when he wants to on que. I would love to hear him talk more.Ever sense i had fed him after i bought him, i still make a good habbit to cover the cage and say nite nite ever singel night. every night at the same time. He knows when it is time to sleep. that is very good. only one other thing is that if he would stay on the perch outside of the cage and not be on me all the time or fly that would really be a good one to challenge.. thanks for the mail. Rosemary.

Hello again chet. i read the other comment from some one here on line. it really would be great if the seminar could be recorded for people like me that cannot attend. thanks.

Wow Chet that would be great seeing as how I live in Florida about 90 minutes from Orlando. I would love to learn about feather plucking & biting. Thanks for asking me, I look forward to meeting you in Orlando. Do you know when it might be & if it will be a weekend or week day (I work during the week) plus what the cost will be?
DJ Schneller

i have a quaker parrot i tought him to talk and he will not step up he says step up and now he has started biting and attacking you when you got by his cage or when you get him water and food i don’t know what to do anymore with him i did not buy him for him to stay in the cage all the time i have your cd’s but he does not respond to them…. help

Chet, I would love to attend but am not physically able. Have read the suggestions on this blog and could use all of them. Good luck with the program. It would be nice if you could tape the show.

I would love to attend the session, but I live in Washington State and Florida is out of the question. I have a beautiful Eclectus and am always interested how to teach and interact with him even better. He almost never leaves my side and talks a lot. However, I always think that he is even smarter than what he already shows to be.
Maybe one day you come closer to the North -West.

I would love to come to the live event. I live in Orlando so it will be very convenient. I am particularly interested in taming techniques and I would like to see some of your stage show.

I have an 8 year old great sulfur-crested too and she, like many others have mentioned, adores most women and hates most men, except my husband. I would love to know how to get her to love everyone she meets. In addition, it would be great to get suggestions of how to keep them occupied all day while we’re at work – something to really keep them learning – not just tearing things up. We have puzzles, a foraging tree, shredders, bird sitting video and I still think she is bored out of her mind. I want her to learn so much and yet there are only so many hours in the day. Thank you for doing this.

hi chet. i have an african grey i,ve only had him for 3 months. i love him. i ordered your stop screaming tapes. he never screams but i wanted to teach him alot of tricks. and i would like to teach him to let me pet him more. he says alot of things until my boyfriend comes over and he won’t make a peep. i,m going to order you dvd to teach him to talk more. he is very smart and will be a quick learner. i can’t come to florida for your seminar,but maybe you can tape it so we can all learn from it. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!

chet, for your seminar a great speaker would be Dr.pepperburg.

Looks like quite a few people would benefit from your event being recorded and either displayed over the internet (or sold on DVD?), including myself.
Problem 1-Train to call when I call for her: I have 1 female cockatiel, Jojo, who to my dismay, doesn’t imitate any words/sounds I make to her. All she knows how to do is scream. I can usually deal with that because most times I know why she is screaming. My problem occurs when she decides to hang out in a new spot in the apt. I freak out thinking she might be dead somewhere in the apt. So I go frantically calling for Jojo and looking for her through the entire apartment, only to find her staring back at me on some plug near her cage looking at me like I’m some idiot. So it would be nice to figure out how to get her to call back to me when I call for her. And I know that she knows her name because she’ll open her eyes and look at you only when you use her name and no other.
Problem 2 – need to put birds into a flight suit/diaper: I know some people hate the idea of putting your bird into a flight suit, but I unfortunately need to put my birds into flight suits if I want to keep them as no one else in my family likes stepping into bird poo or having it on their t-shirt. So this is my problem. I had to grab my tiel when she was 6 weeks old and force her into the diaper cuz no matter what I tried to do, she would not stand over the diaper. This occurred before I knew about your trick training methods. So for a while, Jojo was terrified of the color yellow, just like her diaper. Then I got her a grey diaper when she got a little bigger and by then, I think she got used to the idea of me grabbing her and touching her wings to put her in the diaper. But she ALWAYS puts up a fight and sqwaks at me. I guess I’m better at it now cuz it isn’t bad when I do it but was bad when my fiance tried the first few months. I’m not sure if it’s because of this or if she just never liked people touching her wings, but she loves her head being petted, just not anywhere else like her wings or belly.
Then my parakeet, Melon, who I think hates people now because I had to force her into a diaper as well (where she was dysfunctional the first several times she was in it… literally… funny looking yet sad…), not only screams for her life when we have to grab her but bites reallly haaaaard (almost to bleed) and I can’t help but yank away. She also gives no forewarning that she will bite. So I think it’d be helpful to people to learn how to train their bird properly so that they don’t mind you touching their wings to loop the suit over them or grabbing them to put them over the diaper.
Problem 3 – parakeet bites, can’t pet wings, pets are too fast: I know Melon is not always terrified of us though because she will hop onto our hands when she wants to for transportation. I have been working with her to trust me enough to eat millets out of my hand. I also started to teach her how to do “hi” but my concern is that she has difficulty eating the Zupreem pellets I give the tiel so I am not certain she gets enough food at times. Also, she is MEAN to Jojo (will run across the cage, peck/bite Jojo on the head while she is eating a treat and then run back across the cage away from the person giving Jojo the food) when it comes to food and refuses to share any good food with her. =*( I use millets for treats and have barely progressed with Melon in trick training. She sees me petting Jojo on the head all the time yet she is still terrified. She actually feels better about me petting her belly than reaching over her head. I have seen the DVD training using the Macaw and wooden stick to begin petting the Macaw’s wings, but that hasn’t worked for Jojo or Melon. Jojo (tiel) lets me pet her head but nowhere else. The stick trick freaked her out and she got this crazy look in her eyes. Melon “flies” (her wings are clipped) away and runs and screeches throughout the apt till she reaches the cage. She never tries to bite the wooden stick. So apparently, I think they know the difference between stick and finger. So if you have any other suggestions on how I can get them to trust me to pet and touch their wings, that’d be nice. And how to stop my parakeet from biting when they are that fast. I noticed the DVD trick training parrots are the larger kind and they move reeeaaally slow compared to my birds. It’s been harder trying to train them because of that. Any tips would be nice.
Problem 4 – health/first aid: agree with above comments from others. I once had Jojo eat one of my chicken nuggets while I wasn’t looking. Then she spent hours trying to throw it back up or swallow it or something. I thought she was gonna die! It was scary. Thought I would have to do CPR on a bird… but wasn’t sure how it would be possible. LOL. I think u get my point. =)

I know this is a hard one but, I would like to see you teach a parrot to roller skate! Good Luck with your new show!

oi. sorry for long comment earlier. Thanks!

Hey Chet,
I would so love to come over to Orlando but I’m from down under (Australia)and I was only in the USA January this year, so I too would love it if possible for you to record the seminar that would be so cool. I have a few different birds Budgies two are pets, peace faces, two cockatials both pets one Lutino Indian Ringneck Parrot now getting friendly thanks to you and my best mate is my Green check conure and also thanks to you. I was wondering could you teach birds to play hide-and-seek?

Regads
Pamela Holland

hi my name is elvis i have a cockcatoo im just buy it couple month ago but i have a little problem with her but nobody can help me she start to pull her feather off and sometime she stop doing it i dont know what i have to do can you guys help me to find a solution to help her.

Hi Chet, Thank you for the invitation, it would be great to be able to attend unfotunatley I live in Western Australia andd it s just a little to far to come. I hope it is a great success and thank you for the help I’ve had with my Pink & Grey Galah he is coming on quite well but could do with a little more attention from me.

sounds like a great idea! won’t be able to attend because of extreme distance from B.C. Okanagan Valley (Canada) maybe you could hold these in various locations so other folks could attend or even come on into Canada with your magnificent birds and bird wisdom How about guest speakers who are also experts on parrot behavior, habits, etc like MATTIE SUE ATHEN or the ‘TOOLADY from toolady.com Our avian vet has met her and attended seminars and highly recommends Mattie Sue.

Hi, Guys!
I have both of your courses, for Parakeets and for large birds. I am looking forward to the Parrotlet course which you recently sent an email about. I have three jobs, and right now, am working on my bird training diets, feeding mostly your organic pellets. My Blue Front Amazon, Buster, is open banded, and an old imported female (probably). She lets me love her, and gives kisses, calls to me, and even lets me hold her toes, but won’t step up… even with the offer of treats! I really believe you could teach this old girl some new tricks!!! We’d be happy to come to Orlando to meet you. My Tiny Parrotlet is just a baby, now about 4 months old. He is always very interested in what I am doing. I tried handling him immediately when I brought him home, but he bites pretty hard for a baby! He will eat from my hand, but just flies away when I reach for him. Your training tips are amazing, but they also take lots of time and practice, so I am not as far along as I would like to be. Neither of my birds are bad, just stubborn! My goal is to allow the birds to hang out on top of their cages in a play area, without fear of destruction, or danger. I will continue to follow your advice, and am looking forward to being able to uncage my birds! Regards, Nancy

Please keep us updated on this event. We are lucky to live only 30 minutes from Orlando and would LOVE to attend. We have an African Grey and a female Eclectus that we would gladly bring for some training tips. They are wonderful birds and excellent pets.
Looking forward to the event !!!

I would be interested. Only a six hour drive and would be worth it. I have 4 maccaws and each with their very distinct personality. So what works for one, doesn’t always work for the other. They’re healthy, happy, and beautiful, so I don’t think I have issues with basic training but you never know. I’d very much like to see some basic care and emergency care tips (it’s an hour to the closest vet). Look forward to it.

If possible I would love to attend. I never travel without my dog, but this seminar may be worth the trip. I’d love to know more about clicker training

Well, the Orlando gig sounds good. The only problem with me attending is, I live about 3,800 miles from there. Just a tad too far for me.

Steve Martin at http://www.naturalencounters.com/ is a wonderful speaker with a lot of experience with many types of animals.

The thing that troubles me most about my birds are that they do not get along with each other. I can live with the fact that they don’t want to share their space but they chase each other all over the house. How can I teach them to pick a perch and leave each other alone?

Hi guys. My African Grey responded relly well to the early training. Year one could reward him with seed last year crackers. This year I’ve no idea what he wants as he’s not bothered with the 2 above. I’ve tried anything I can think off. Having hit his first crazy spring at 3 years old ,he’s turned into a devil in a cage. When Im brave enough to let him out he tries everything to attack me, will do nothing I ask him to no matter how I Try to coax. When in his outdoor avery its gloves and a towel to get him back in. when indoors I simply withold the food until going in time and that works.I miss to old guy but Im loosing alot of blood at any attempt. How do I regain his trust again?

Hi Chet,
I would suggest that you break it into 2 parts – basic and advanced. I’m sure there are many new parrot owners that have no clue and those that really don’t need the basics. Wish I could attend but distance is the factor. When are you coming to the New York area???? Thanks for your help – you are the best.
Best regards,
Cheryl

Chet,

Being a fan and early adopter of your program (4 years ago), we have come a long way with our parrots Bishop, our Congo African Grey and Morgan, our Goffin’s Cockatoo. While both are young healthy specimens acquired through a “bird rescue” program in Houston, they were a special challenge since they came “preinstalled” with some behavioral issues from previous owners. (The Grey was also preinstalled with some great sound effects and is a good talker!) Using your program we have worked through most of these issues but are reminded regularly they can easily slip back into old behaviors if you don’t keep up training during their formative young years (parrot adolescence).

Here is our recent challenge: We invested in a large tree/play stand with the simple idea that they could play together on it. First, both seem to be extremely afraid of the contraption, even though we have left it in front of their cages for weeks (if not months) to get them accustomed to it. While both understand and comply with the “step up” command to our hands, in separate sessions we have tried to put them on it but immediately they fly away (yes, they are currently flighted). The stand is even made completely from natural woods like the perches in their cages; we don’t understand why they would be so afraid of it. Second, what is the best way to get the two parrots acclimated to one another while minimizing possible injuries from potential bites? While their twin cages are right next to each other, they don’t compete for food, we let them out together, each has picked their own “favorite human”, but neither bird has physically touched one another, and have only shown little curiosity in each other.

Any ideas?

Mixed Species now in South Florida
Chris Z.

P.S. We are very interested in attending your upcoming event in Orlando. In fact, we could even bring our birds since we are not too far!

I would love some information about health and first aid. I have a 4 year old blue and gold Macaw named Bella. I have not yet run into any problems where I would need any type of first aid but it would be good to know before hand. I would also be interested in any type of daily vitamins and supplements that I should to be giving to her. She does eat pellet food with a mixture of safflower seeds, lots of dehydrated fruit and a granola cereal by Sunbelt that she absolutely loves. I think it taste like card board but she really likes it. I am sure she needs some type vitamins. Any advise would be helpful.

I’m looking forward to attending your first Live event! I’m excited! I have a couple of questions… My sun conure loves to be with me All The Time… so when I try to have him step up onto my finger to return him to his cage he plays hide and seek under my hair, from one shoulder to the other, down the back of my shirt, wherever he thinks he can hide… What do I need to do to return him to his cage?… bribing him with a treat doesn’t help… the other question is regarding toxicity to Ricco .. ei. plastic toys that he tears appart and chews… how do you know if a towel rack, for instance, has been coated with zinc if you don’t know the manufacturer? What are the dangers and how can you combat them before it’s too late? Travelling with Ricco? What would be the safest way to transport him? Maybe you could have a question and answer session?

I am moving to the Orlando area and look forward to attending your seminar. Will this be offered in conjunction with a bird show?
In my experieince with teaching, I try to offer classses for all levels.
Plan on building skills with your audience. Offer “basics” sessions, 8-10, intermediate 10-12, a lunch (and sales) break.
Repeat same in the afternoon, 1:30 – 4:30if your enrollment is big enough.

Cannot make the Orlando event, but would be very interested in teaching my bird to fly to me or his cage and land. I have a young (maybe 2 yo) cockatiel. His flight feathers are long enough that he can flutter around now, but I am worried that he will crash land and hurt huimself. He is not very graceful at landing – - and I don’t need grace, but want him to be safe.

hi i wish i could attend the event it sounds fantastic but unfourtunatly i live in the UK so this is unobtainable for me but if i could attend i would appeciate a quick insight on how to stop my medium sulpher crested cockatoo’s mood swings, this happens on a daily basis, when he comes out he can be wonderfull but it is always short lived and becomes agressive and bites myself or the children this ensures he is put away but i would love him to be able to be out as much as possible. several peaple have told me to clip his wings as he is allowed to fly if he wants, but i feel this is too drastic, he is a bird and should be alowed this oppertunity to stretch his wings, any help with this would improve his quality of life and he could become a true member of the family. good luck with the live event, keep us updated.

I would love a show susch as gthe one you’ve mentioned in Orlando. I live about an hour away with my husband and greenwing macaw named Bubba. I’ve been using your dvds with limited success. Bubba is great with me. He does everything. He lays down, rolls over, plays games, shakes, swings, talks, and just about whatever I try with him, he’s game. However, he does this with no one else. It certainly limits his opportunities. I wrote to the bird behaviorist about this upon purchasing my first videos many months ago, but have never received a reply. I was disapponted about that, but if you come to Orlando and would like a bird to teach on stage…. Bubba’s your bird~!!!!Temporarily, of course!

I have a perfect 3 yr.old African Grey named Tessa. She doesn’t bite or scream. She learns tricks as fast as I can teach her, so I know she is extremly smart. She can repeat anything and everything she hears. BUT I can’t get her to repeat anything I ask her to. I bought your CD on how to teach her to talk, but she just WILL NOT do it. I feel extremly bad because she will sit and talk up a storm, saying everything she has ever heard. Why won’t she say any words for me.? I do clicker training ,it works for anything except talking.The only thing she will answer is ; O.K. if we ask her if she wants a treat (or cookie). So, how do I get her to talk? Please, help.
Thanks,
Kathy ( nanny_jake@hotmail.com)

P.S. If any one else has any tips, please feel free to send them to me. I need all the help I can get.

Another member from the UK, so probably won’t make it.
However, I could do with some hints on how I can get my female one winged African Grey, to climb down from her cage rather than flyind down and landing in a heap.

She only tends to do this if I have gone out of the room. She has stopped ’stepping up’ since her flight feathers stopped growing. She badly damaged her wing, when younger, before she came to me.

She was willed to me from a dear friend who passed away from Cancer, so for a long time she had not spent much time out of her cage.

I hope the show comes off and that all goes well.

joolz

Not sure about attending in January, right after the holidays and all. Topics I’d be interested in are more the basics rather than the tricks. Parrot screaming and aggression towards others except their “favorite”

Chet,
I don’t understand the change of temperment my ecalectus male SAMMY has. He was always very loveable to me and all of a sudden he has changed. He will be fine at night or during the day, but in the morning when he wants out of his cage he will bite me, if I open his cage and let him go to the floor he will want to chase me and try to bite my feet. He is with my wife all day and rides around on her shoulder ( she is in an electric wheel chair). He has never bitten at her. Let me know what to do please.

We will attend….

We have 5 birds 3 grays and 2 cockatoos (Moluccan and Umbrella).

We just got the 3rd gray, 1.5 year old hand raised, only they somehow broke/malformed one leg. He can climb around, in a way. Has bit of trouble sitting on a perch. Falls off easily. Bad leg seems to point out. Old cage had way to large diameter perches.

What is the best way to train him to sit on the hand with this deformity. He’s not a mean bird, just scared like hell. Poor him.

Not able to join you for a live event.
I don’travel without Kiwi

Hi Chet!

All I can tell you, is that the beginner info is great…for the beginners. The more experienced info is great…for the more experienced crowd. If you can combine the two…that would be ideal! This way which ever side of the fence you are on, there will be lots to take in for everybody.

I wish I could be there but won’t be able to attend. If you decide to share it via internet or DVD, please let me know.

Best wishes to you and all your loved ones…
Sincerely,
Laura

Hi Chet
Your e-mail tips have been very helpful in the past. Any chance you could do one of your bird training sessions in MN. To hard for me to make it to Fl. next Jan.
Thank you

Gary

I know in other animal clinics certain persons are signed up to bring their own birds for actual live training with the sponsors. This seems to work really well. Have you considered that? Maybe signing up 10 or so people to bring their birds to address specific problems in a live format? Also, I think you should start with the basics since this is your first live seminar/clinic. Perhaps if it catches on, you could consider two a year…one basic and one advanced. Thanks for all your help. I have a wonderful Blue Fronted Amazon, a Congo African Grey and will be getting my first Green Winged Macaw in about a month. I couldn’t live without your insight and help.

Hello Chet,

Thank you for the invite, but I don’t think I’ll be making it to Flordia this year. It would be great if you could come to CA, and, or record the session.
I do have two questions, (1) Any sugguestions on how to stop a parrot from over grooming, chewing or nibbling off the ends of her feathers? (2) How to stop the squaking (calling) when I walk away? (she does eventually stop)
Thank you,
Robin

the responce i would have for the one who has
george:: for parrots like that, you half to pick your times or his times to get him out of the cage. when you do, then leave the door open, put him on you for a good while, talk to him let him see you when you do talk to him, if he starts to bite or ::: say in a low voice no. each time he tries that, say no each time. when he does it the third time put him in the cage. then try again the next day. when he finds out that it is a punishment that you are puting him in the cage because of the biteing he will stop. see ya.

I am already flying out to Florida in September or October (depending on the length of the weaning process) to pick up my baby BTM. So I will not be able to afford two trips to Florida so close together. But since I am going to be a brand new Macaw mamma, I could use a lot of the basics, including how to properly socialize my baby with others (including our three dogs), emergency care… I have already purchased a few of your basic training programs, but I havn’t been able to put anything into practice yet until “Tika” comes home. I will stay tuned for an opportunity to buy this CD.
PS – Are you planning any live events to California soon?

Hi Chet,
Phew ! What a result. In fact a can of worms. When do you plan on an Australian tour. Put Canberra on the schedule, my home city. I’ll try and forward this to the Canberra Avicultural society. I feel that your Australian members should be able to contact each other. I’ve already got ideas from your replies.

( ianwoodburn@bigpond.com )
Regards Ian

I intend to be at the seminar in Orlando, Fl. I am really interested and trying to get my Macaw “Missy” to stop feather plucking, I tried all of your trainings, that I purchased from you and I have had no luck, as a matter of fact it seems to be getting worse,I open her cage and let her roam 2 or 3 hours per day, it just seems that nothing works for me, I purchased her 1 year ago with no breast,legs, and top of wings bare,
PLEASE HELP

If this works out well I think you’re going to have to go on some form of world tour because your followers seem to be international. So make sure you make a stop in Vancouver Canada!

I think it would be very informative to demonstrate training older parrots free-flight.

Hi Chet
I think it would be great if you came to Australia too!!
We have a cockatiel, Dude, who is about 2 1/2 years old.
He used to love being scratched on his head when he was younger, but now won’t let me do this. Only my son is allowed to scratch him on his head. He now puts his head under his mirror for the mirror to “scratch” him!!
Any suggestions??
Suzanne

I love the idea, and depending on costs, would love to attend. As for ideas, I would say the following should be considered:
Stop Biting
Bird First Aid
Stop Screaming
Childproofing your Bird (this will be especially interesting to me as we are awaiting travel approval to pick up our newly adopted daughter)
easy trick training
and perhaps a more advanced “class” for the more experienced birds.
This may be too “hokey” for what you are planning, but could be kinda fun too… how about a “pet psychic” or “pet whisperer” type thing…
Anyway, keep us posted on the details… if it’s in my budget and our new daughter is adjusted enough for the car ride, we will be there!
all the best,
jodi

The bird seminar sounds like a great idea. My husband and I might be able to fly down to Orlando to attend. We have three parrots and a macaw – three of which we’ve had since babies – and one is a rescue. The eldest parrot is 19 years old. I purchased your basic DVD and we all watched it the other night. It gave me the encouragement I need to continue to handle and care for these birds on a daily basis. What I’d like to see at the seminar is more knowledge about bird behavior and what makes them do the things they do – like bite, love you one day and hate you the next……such as what you experienced with Chucky. I’m not a bird professional like you are and some days it’s all I can do to hold my head above water with them. I want to see birds behaving badly and how to handle the situation!

I am so happy that you are coming down to Orlando, I will bring my 9 Parrotletts to keep you busy on your vacation!
They are the greatest, my job is very stressful and they are my anti-stress medicine.
Hopefully we will have time for lunch or at least a coffee!
Thanks for all the advise in emails!
Kindest Regards, Byron

Hi Chet,
Just thought that you would like to know that we think that your newsletters are great, they give so much help and inspire us to do more with our Parrots.
I have a twenty five yaer old amazon with so much attitude but we are getting there slowly.
regards alan

i have a 5 yr old spoiled umbrella named annie. i would love to come to your session. my problem with annie is she bites blondes womwn, and loves menany man lol how do i get her to like blondes c
she senses they are afraid and takes full advantage chasing them into our bathroom. well we will be living with a blonde daughter in law soon and need to know how to correct this fast also on your seminar she swalled beads from a beanny baby which cost us 500.00 to figure out ,so yes i also would like to know first aid and health. looking forward to your seminar bobbie

I bought your trick training courses and the talking course and have been trying to use it. So far my Senegal Parrot, Lucky isn’t picking up any of it. Also I tried your CD’s of the parrots talking but he didn’t even pay attention to them because there was barely anything on them. I tried anoth CD that he seems to listen to, but to date he does not say any words. He will do tricks but none on command and will no longer step up after I tried the training methods.
I am considering sending your course back and would appreciate some advise on hgow to make the methods work. Also a training in Toronto would be helpful for your Canadian customers.
Thanks
Amy

hi Chet i think stick with the advanced stuff, if people have a fully trained bird why will they want to come to a show with stuff they’ve already done, make it about serious stuff like treating your bird for minor injuries and how to tell from the more serious ones that are internal. how to make a fully safe environment for your bird with no dangerous objects and what will help them. more advanced tricks like rolling over or changing the channel on tv

i would Think start with the basics and work your way up. Also while dealing with large bird behavior problems, deal with cockatiel sized birds also.
good luck

hi im from australia and i have a sulphur-crested cockatoo named eddie. i would really like some advice on whats the best way to get him to get on my shoulder . he is a lively cocky and sometimes i do get worried that he might bite. he is 3 1/2 years old. any help would be appreciated

thankyou

Hi Chet,

I would love to see the live event. I have learned so much from your training courses and your email tips. It has made my time with my Amazon Parrot Chucky so much more enjoyable, and I understand the whole concept of accidental punishment. It is something that is so obvious, but I never put it together until I read your email reply. I think you are amazing with birds. A live event would be well worth the time and trip. I would like to see the basics as well as some of the trick training, I understand that they go hand in hand.

Tell me more abt.event schedule. I can n ot seem to find any pictures of Ringneck Latinos like mine; I picked out the Turquoise father burs and the pale yellow and light green mother and they were mated in 2001 (in central Florida) and so I have been close to my beautiful lgt. green/turquoise tail feathered red beaked, ‘Baby Bird’ since the incubator when I would turn the egg and talk to it and whistle. However a number of different serious surgerys I had to go thru during the first two years of its life kept me from hands on training. I sure would like to know what part of the world they originate; are the tree top dwellers, nesting birds, etc. Do they like to be misted? BabyBird does like to bathe in his water bowl, however he in molting and seems to be suffering, again this molt (I have moved from Fla. to Maryland); I am giving him bird liq. vitamins and Omaga 3 formula. I am concerned because we do not have a Vet that cares for birds here. I do let him out of cage but when molting he trys his wings and falls, he lets me gently put a cloth over his back and lift him back to the outside of top of his cage so he can go in on his own, but he is ‘out of breath-like’, I just lalk to him gently. Any suggestions?

Please send more info, love to come.

I will try to attend! I have a 26 year old Amazon which no one can idetify that I “adopted” 3 months ago. I have trained him to not bite, by saying ” no bite” as you suggested. I just read all the responsed and note that alot of people have a problem with the “step-up” request, so I’m sure you’ll spend some time on that.

Enjoy all your advice emails!

Barbara

Although I cannot go to the seminar it sounds like a blast. Perhaps you could address some of the differences in the different types of birds to help people decide what is the right bird for them, or the right addition to the ones they already have.

I having a problem with my Green Cheek (Tutt) within the last month he began to fly on the wood trim of doors and cabinets and start chewing on them. He has caused quite a bit of damage. I don’t know how to stop him from doing this. He is a cage free bird and only goes into his cage to sleep. However, every time I catch him naughing on the trim I put him in the cage and lock the door. But this just is not working. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Gloria

I love your e-mails and find them very usefull to hear other owners with different issues, I would like to see more advanced techniques, especially of the nature of abilities.
I also am encountering problems of how to make my Green Wing Macaw (Bingo) more happy, he is a recued male, approx. 6 to 7 years, he has problems with his malformed beak, he plucked many feathers and I had to have him fitted with a collar. He continues to have surgery every other month, to try to correct his beak in order for him to be able to eat. Althought he gets lots of attention from me and the rest of my family and he plays outside of his large cage, he does not seem like a happy bird. He is shy and does not like to be touched. I understand from the person I got him from that he has had many surgeries in his beak, so his behavior is understandable, but, we provide him with plenty of toys, healthy fresh fruits and vegatables, treats and he has plenty of open space to play in. I don’t know what else to do to make him happy. I also have a Scarlet Macaw (Xuxhy), and a G. Cockattoo (Pako) their space is as large 22′x12′x12′ there are plenty of trees and shade. My friends say that I have a mini Parrot jungle paradise, but I still feel that he is the one challange, I have not been able to accomplish, and that is to gain his trust fully, he does step up and talks a lot when I am not around. What can I do to make him happier?
I appreciate anything else you can suggest.

I do fostering for rescued or unwanted birds. I think it is a good idea to teach parrots to get up on a stick. This way if for some reason you need someone to take care of your parrot who doesn’t want to take a chance on getting bit they have a way of transferring a bird in and out of a cage. I know with having birds you don’t know that for me if they get up on the stick I’m safe and they are safe. I would love to come to the event. How do I sign up or purchase tickets?

We might be very interested in going to your Orlando event. Please keep us posted and let us know as soon as possible about date and time. Cannot buy any tickets till we know when! I would like to know what toys to start with for beginning training, as well as where to purchase them.

I enjoy your training tips and my birds are much happier because of them. I think seeing the basics is something that I’ve never seen before in a live show and would be very interesting. However the seeing where the basics can lead to is always a crowd pleaser. It sounds like it wil be a great show. Will you be selling DVD’s of the show?

I just wanted to suggest that for your training event, you might make it fairly basic and simple for the most part, but I also think that you could tickle the curiosity of your audience with little tittlating peeks at the “higher levels of bird capabilities”. You could let people see that there really are more possibilities than they ever thought possible for their parrots, beyond trick training and behavior modification. I don’t know if that helps at all, and I sure wish I could be there for it, and thanks again for the tips.

I would attend. I think it would better help me in raising my African Grey Timneh (Mickey),who just turned 7 months old.He loves being out of his huge cage all day,but sometimes he just doesnt wanna go back in it.But i feel safer at night with him in it.

Chet,

My opinion would be to give the most “in depth” presentation possible. Too many people attend such events and leave disappointed. The people attending such an event are people that really are interested, so give them a taste of your total genius, not a poor example of what you can really offer!

Dear Chet,
Thank you so much for the emails. You are a true blessing to the bird world with realistic solutions for bird and owner problems. I am sure everybody will be pleased with your first live show. You asked if you should keep it basic or make it advanced. My sugesstion is do both and leave them wanting more. Your audience will most lilley be mixed with both practiced bird owners, new owners and wannabes. So information that will help the new owners understand the basics is a must and the advanced stuff will dazzle them. Wishing you the best of luck.

Chet,

I appreciate your doing a “live” event, but it is limiting for those of us that live across the country to try to attend. I would like to see an alternative “reward” system for training other than food. I’ve got a 12 yr old umbrella cockatoo who learned to step-up, go potty, etc without a food reward — just for praise/excitement. Truthfully, a food reward doesn’t seem to interest him……just praise. Would like to have some other activities/ideas to use for training as a reward. Any suggestions. Too bad you can’t do a live “web-cast” of your event and seminars for people to tune into.

I have purchased your videos (great) and I am a subscriber to you monthly tricks and monthly toys. I would like to attend you workshops in Orlando in January. What I am most interested in are suggestions on traveling with a bird on an airplane. I have an orange wing tip amazon and I am planning an extended trip to Ecuador.

I’m curious as to the best way to respond to a young conure when it bites. She doesn’t do it all the time, but occasionally it is when I’m trying to get her to step up on my hand. At other times she will seemingly be very content allowing my wife to scratch her head, then she’ll suddenly bite without warning. After, she’ll want to be scratched again as if nothing happened! On those occasions when she bites, we’re not sure how to respond to it. Thanks.

I think your idea of a live event is soooo exciting!! I only wish I lived closer and could attend. I guess since I “aquired” an older, very much ignored and untrained and even abused African Grey, I would like to see more basic training being offered – especially on getting your bird to trust you first of all. I will say that My bird would not let anyone close to him AT ALL, and I can now pet him and am working on “step up” and have done all this through your training tapes, etc. The only draw-back to this is that I am the ONLY one who can touch him right now!! I think if you also do some more advanced things in your show it would be an encouragement to people like myself to keep working with their birds. It would be awsome if you could tape the show and make it available to purchase also. Thanks So Much for sharing your knowledge and expertise!! It has been very helpful.

I am not too far from Orlando and would love to come to your event. I would love to hear about tips for adopting rescue birds with lots of little issues. Can you group train birds? I have several adoptees and when I am working with one, the others watch and some add comments of their own. I have a lot of questions, so I would love to be there…any and all tips would be helpful.

Hi Chet,
I make several presentations per year. Might I recommend you have a basic presentation for all those attending, and a special workshop for advanced training. Maybe, say, $10/person for a general workshop and an elite, private workshop, say $50/person WITH THEIR PARROT, for some advanced, one-on-one training. I generally make quite a bit with this technique, and it seems to be a logical extension of your current marketing strategy.
Best!
Ron

dear chet and all,
i need help on me having 2 peach faced love birds i cant get it to take reward of my hand and i am only 12 and i got my fingers nipped lots of time so please i need help or some tips and if they work ill try to save up for your collection

wadi

HI!

What a great idea! I would love to try to get Tori to talk. We have tried to use your suggestions from your tapes but she seems to have no desire or ability.
I would also like to learn how to get her to fly to me since I would love to be able to keep her wings grown out.
It would be nice if you came to New England since I live in Rhode Island and getting to Florida is going to be near impossible, especially the month after Christmas!

Misty A. Faella
Providence, RI

I would love to attend your show,I have 2 rescue cockatoos who are both screamers and one is a bad plucker,to the point of drawing blood;if you would cover these topics;rescue,screaming,and plucking I would be greatly inteested. I wil be in therapy soon if I can not get some help.We have tryed everyting from collars to medication.the only thing that has worked at all wa putting them together in the sme cage.But it has not totaly corrected the problems.See you in Orlando.

What is required to teach a bird to return to you in flight. I see this with your video, and at Disney kingdom where they have freedom to fly with all types of birds. I have a blue and gold mccaw, and I would love for her to experience what she was born to do and still have her as a pet.

Chet, I love what you do and what you’ve taught me about our Red Lored Amazon.

I want you to be as successful as you (and your wife, and brother) can be, and towards that end, I would like to offer my services as a proofreader for your emails and esp. any written handouts you plan to use in January. Sometimes I notice a missing or misplaced apostrophe or a little typo and I’d like to help you with that. I mean no offense; you’re amazing in the work you do with birds. Let me know -

Stac
925.370.1825 PDT

Hi would love to see training techniques for things like teaching your bird to step up and also how to maintain a happy bird.

Florida is far away!

Will you please come to UTAH?

Hi Chet,

Being one of your Aussie subscibers, a dvd of the conference would be great for all us outside the USA, I love your work, my Alexandrine, CoCo, has learnt many good things from the information you provide, lucky for me he was a beautifully hand raised bird, without any bad bird issues, so he is very easy to teach. Thanks for all the tips, much appreciated, Jo HALL
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA

Chet Hi
I have enjoyed your emails, thank you.
I am a parrot behavior consultent. What I do mostly for people & their birds is train them not to bite. (The birds, not the people.) I do it for the love of parrots because they live so long. If they are inadvertantly taught to bite, noone wants them and they live a very lonely, abused life, so unnecessarily.
I can take the most vicious, nasty, aggressive parrot and in three days or usually less, return a sweet loving bird, every time.
I think I could even do it on stage in front of an audience and in fifteen minutes, make a huge difference. As you know it’s all a matter of praise & timing.
Anyway, I’m here if you could use me. Thanks, Patty

I can not make it to florida. I would love to attend if it was held in chicago(maybe some day).I would like to train my gothin cockatoo sonny to like water. I am unable to get him to take a bath. He will not go near water and avoids mist spray. He also bites me when he is out if there are all males in the room Whats up with that? Otherwise when he is out, he wants me to pet him continuously.He wants constant attention.

Hi Chet
We have an indian ring-neck parrot (hand raised) who’s about 8 months – 1 year old (not sure if male or female yet). He makes loud demands to be let out of his cage but doesn’t come out straight away although he does step up with my brother who hardly ever spends time with him. I do have to say that my mum & I always offer him our elbow because we’ll get our hands bitten off otherwise, while my brother does offer his hand & dealt with the biting until he didn’t bother biting him so much anymore.
I also have to point out that he’s closer to my mum since she’s with him mostly. Is there a different method to get him to step up onto our hands from the cage without biting or do we use the perch-gentle stroking-method thing on your video? Mum & I are pretty afraid of getting bitten, by the way.
Also, we are one of your Australian subscribers so would you be making copies of a video of your conference? We’d love to order one if you do make some. Is there also going to be any chance in the future of you guys travelling over here to do some conferences? Since we’re near NEWCASTLE in AUSTRALIA, if there was one in SYDNEY, it would only take us a couple of hours or so in travel to get there, which we think is well worth it. Please let us know if either or both might be possible? We think Birdtricks is great!!!

hi,chet
how i wish iwould be there, but it is toooooooooo far. i am from india. but my best wishes to you and yourfeatherfriends.come to india atleast once. mt cocktail is 5months old, never bites , only nibbles . very cute bird, but i am scared to bring him out of the cage, cause i am not sure how to put him back in his home. need your guidence a lot. but i am trying , with lot of love.
keep sending small tricks they are very useful.
thanking you.
anagha and chickoo

Hi again Chet & Dave

I also wanted to know since we’ve started trying to teach our Indian Ring Neck Parrot, Sokar, to poop in one spot (instead of all through the house), is it too late to change the ’spot/area’ of training?

We started with asking him once we get him out of his cage (which is in the laundry-right next to the kitchen) while we are in the kitchen, to poop on the floor. He does this about 90% of the time & we give him a treat straight away (which is kept in the kitchen). We hope to change into him pooping into a ‘birdy-litter’ of some sort. But we were thinking the laundry where he has his cage in the morning would be a better choice of place (even though its quite a small area). So is it a ok to consider a ‘room’ change or should we stick to what we started?

Keep up the good work, its appreciated here in Australia too!

Hey Chet, I don’t know if I can help you, but I can say Good Luck and Im sure you don’t need too much support from me?! Keep up the good work and take it easy.
Jennifer

Hi Chet and Dave

One more point; how do you know if a vet has clipped the wing/s properly? And how do you know who & where a good vetrinarian for parrots would be located? (Considering we’re over here in Australia).

We took Sokar (our indian ring neck) to the vet earlier this year, where he clipped one of his wings. Afterwards it looked terrible and months later now, the underneath wings seem to have grown back but the top wings still seem the same as when they were first clipped, they don’t seem to have grown back at all.

Also, although Sokar does his little ‘training’ session by himself with his wings, he is only able to fly in a downwards direction. We feel really bad for Sokar and are pretty apprehensive about taking him to just any vet but we also don’t know if that vet we used did the right thing or not..?

Although his wing looks like it would be uncomfortable, he doesn’t seem to have a problem opening either or both of his wings to get the water under them, when he demands (yes, DEMANDS) to have his baths, under a gentle running tap in our sink. The only problem is, we have a hard time trying to get any dishes washed, unless we put him in his cage while we do them because he LOVES his bathtimes SO MUCH! We don’t have any other large enough tap/sink in the house either, so we have to use the kitchen one. He literally speed climbs up our legs to our arms and then runs down the arm to the tap, and he’s amazingly quick! Any suggestions for that???

Hi Chet,
After reading your email on “Height Dominance” you ask if your seminar should be basic or more advanced. I would say it depends on how many people you can expect to come & how many trainers you have. Wouldn’t it be nice for the audience to have a choice of basic or advanced, to have seperate short & sweet training sessions.
Also, the more trainers you train to train the more people you can delegate to show up throughout the country to appear at bird clubs for training sessions. I know our bird club here in Fresno Ca. CCAS would love to have a good trainer show their stuff!
I really hope this is the beginning of great things. Good Luck Chet! :>

I am so glad that I contacted BirdTricks. Reading your emails have been inspiring, educational and encouraging. I am hoping that you video your Orlando show so that I can see it here in California.

I LIVE IN GA—WILL BE THERE—LOOKING TO SEEING ALL OF YOU AND YOUR BIRDS– I HAVE A SMALL SUN CONURE– THAT I LOVE –AND HE SETS ON ME ,ALL THE TIME ,WHEN I LET HIM.

HI CHET, I AM GLAD YOU ARE GOING TO BE IN FL.

Hi Chet,
I will not be able to attend your wonderful seminar. I believe that a basic, and advanced program, should cover everyones needs. My parrolett,Kiwi, is doing well on your teachings, I am taking it slow with him. One of his problems is that I cannot get him to play on his playground, he did when he was younger, but not now, he prefers to be on me all the time and loves to bite without warning (while feeding him his treats for being such a good boy). Kiwi talks a blue streak, and several phrases, caught on to step up and down within one
half hour, but will not stop biting after half a year, go figure. I am still trying to figure out as to why he bites when he does, because it seems to be at random.
Please note that my e-mail has changed .
Wish you all the very best,and please see if you can record the seminar for those of use who can’t be there with you.

Chet, if your going to go to all the trouble you might as well have a giant bird fair. There are lots of people like me who like nothing better than to buy lots of stuff for our birds. Also someone to teach about bird nutrition and health, maybe like small seminars. My son,his friend and I sell handmade bird toys at bird shows and I could help anyway you want.(Tell venders bird clubs ect. Just let me know I ‘d be glad to do anything to help. Pam Bryan

Dear Chet, I am writing to ask a question about my bare eyed cockatoo. He is about 10 yrs old’an I have had him for about 5yrs. About a yr ago my husband accidently let him get out of the house. We tried for hours to find him an get him back,but he was gone. You can imagine how shocked we were when a year later we got a call from someone who had him. He’s been home now for about 6 mos.an he knows he’s home but here’s the thing. He was scared for awhile but now he’s playing hard to get.He’s still a bit skittish an he won’t step up on our hand or let us touch him. I have to get a towel an get him out of his cage that way or he will just get past me so I can’t touch him. To get him in we have to let him fly back an forth to the kitchen an then he’ll land on my husbands shoulder an go in himself.We know he knows he’s home now an that he is just playing hard to get But enough already. How do I get him to let me touch him an get him to step up like he used to. Please Helppppppppp. Thanks. We really love him an miss how he used to be. Even though he was ornery before he got out.

Hi Chet,
I am sorry that I will not be able to attend your Orlando show. I just can’t get away from work. I have learned so much from you. I live in Key West Florida. There are many bird owners here. I wish you could come here because there are many exotic bird and animal owners here. They could learn from you as I have. Nancy Forrester has a Secret Garden. She has rescued many unwanted and abused parrots. Nancy has taken in many large birds that no body can handle. She is also involved in The Mana Project. ( preserving natural habatat for humans and animals)
Please visit her website. http://www.nfsgarden.com/HTML/frameset1.htm
My friend had a Green Winged McCaw. When he reached 12, he was totally uncontrollable. Attacking and chasing everyone. Nancy took him in and has cared for him for over 2 years. This bird is scary. If you can teach this bird not to bite, hats off to you. His name is Hammerhead. Nancy will tell you about his split personality. Can you tame a wild rooster? We have a lot of them too!

hello there. i just got your email, and would love to go to your show! but… im all the way in new zealand! so if you ever happen to come this way i will be 1st in line! good luck with your show.

Hi Chet,
Love your e-mails. I would love to go to Florida and attend your seminar, it would be expensive for me, and if it is going to be 100% worth it for me, then I would dig deep in my pockets and go there. I have 2 parrotlets, and for the most part your tips deal a lot with parrots that bite and that won’t come out of their cages, etc. My birds live out of their cage. i live in a studio apt. I have set up a huge(for their size) “playground” that takes up 1/3 of my place, it has stuff for climbing, a rope net, 2 real trees, and some toys. My problem is that they do not play with any toy. All they have in mind is look for places to make a nest. Yes, sometimes they bite some of my bills i leave on the table, but overall they do not destroy anything. They scream a lot, especially in mating season. They are bonded with each other, and I do not mind that they are not constantly cuddling with me, all I want them to be is HAPPY, and the female which I think is the smartest is almost all plucked, and the male is partially plucked on his tummy. To me a plucked bird is an unhappy bird. They are supposed to be in good health, the female was lacking calcium, but I have been giving her a calcium supplement, but she is still “naked”. This is already too long. I apologize. Anyway, if I learn what i am doing wrong, how to get them to play with toys, and to stop plucking, I would definitely attend, or pay to see it over the internet. THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your great tips.

I have a Blue and Gold Macaw, Hahn’s Macaw, Severe Macaw, African Grey, Nanday Conure, and a Blue Crown Conure all living in the same flight in my den. The Blue and Gold was my first bird she never bites. The Hahn’s is the quickest learner of the Macaws. The Severe Macaw was abused as a baby and is terrified of hands. He won’t let me touch him, but he will touch me until the hands come up, then he moves away. He is very bright and talks a lot. The two Conures are older and were adopted when they could no longer be cared for by elderly owners. My African Grey seems to be the only really demanding one of the group. She wants to be petted, held and talked to, but then she will bite without warning, it appears to be more like reaching out to grab hold than deliberate biting. She does some plucking, I feel like it is an attempt to grab more attention from the other birds. She talks a lot, knows her address and is working on learning her phone number. I work in a pet store and constantly bring home new toys and treats for everyone. While I am gone during the day, I play music for them. They all get fresh veggies and fruit on a daily basis along with their pellets and small amount of seed.

One thing I feel that has negatively affected my flock is the fact that I took in 2 older dogs when someone dropped them off at the store a year ago. I don’t take any of my birds out of the flight since I can’t predict how the dogs might react if a bird landed on the floor. All my interaction takes place in the flight which is 12′ long by 5′ wide and 10 ‘ tall. I have tried locking the dogs out of the room, but then none of the birds seem to want to come out with me when I am ready.

Would love to join you but I’m disabled and can’t travel. A subject that I don’t here much about and I suspect a lot of people have a problem with is this. I have a pair of conures (greencheek & maroon belly) that will not get along in the same cage. They are both females and both are good birds. I think that would be a good topic for people that have multiple birds. Wish I could be there.

Chet,
I think it would be great to cover both old & new tricks of the trade. On the old just touch basics, like the no biting, step up, etc. And then try new tricks. Have you thought of asking people to bring in there out of control birds? (you would probably be swamped) but just offer a select few tickets? Just a thought.
I don`t know if I can ever get my bird to quit screaming? My boy friend made me give him away because he couldn`t take it any more. So I`m having a few issues myself. I love my bird, but I have to make a choice. It`s not looking good for my boyfriend.
Sandy

It would be great if I didnt live in Nz.Would like to knoe how to stop africian grey from screamming sparrow whistle regards pat

Chet…As a “newby” (1.5 years) with just my little green cheek conures, bugies and cockateils, I want to know how they think, what they are capable of and how to interact with them.

Also a lot of new bird owners need to know what to feed them (I was feeding them wild bird seed at first), and also what to feed them during laying and raising their young. I also needed to know the “musts”…must have vitamins, must have time out everyday etc.

So I would go three parts: Basic bird intellect and personality.
2. diet and vitamins and why
3. discipline and tricks
4. bad behavior

But like I said…I’m new to my obsession and sit next to their cages for hours trying to understand who they are and what they are thinking. That is #1

Doubt that I will be able to attend the show, but it sounds like a great time! Potty training is one topic that I’m very interested in. Also, our 3 1/2 year-old Quaker parrot, Zephyr, is great and has vocabulary of about 40 words/phrases learned from his former owner. We have had him for 10 months and have not been able to teach him more than a couple of new words. He is very attached to us and extremely affectionate, but seems very stubborn about adding to his vocabulary. For example, every time I try to get him to say my name, he says his former owner’s name. Whenever he wants a treat, he says, “cracker.” When I held a chip and repeated “chip” several times, holding the chip, he kept saying, “cracker” and after awhile he said, “F___ you.” (This is something he learned before we got him and I thought the word was extinguished.) At any rate, he obviously did not want to say “cracker.” He seems to be very intelligent and says things in context, as though he totally knows the meaning of what he says. He’s so much fun, but frustrating (and embarrassing) at times.

Chet,

I would love to come to your show.

I have many questions in regard to feather plucking. I have heard so many different reasons for this. I have 4 rescue birds and I wish that people would quit purchasing these prescious birds as a novelty and never spend any time with them and then can’t figure out why the bird becomes anit-social. I have one african grey congo which we rescued 5 years ago, and everyday is a changelle, he is an awesome bird, great talker, can be a sweet heart, MIGHT allow a pet or you may walk away bleeding, but we are determined not to give up on him. He was abused by previous owners’ husband and we have actually come a very long way with this particular bird, he is awesome and we love him dearly and I was allowed to pet him this morning with a few playful nibbles to my fingers, he will usually warn you that you fingers are welcome and “Hold or pick him up-Oh, No!” That is a for sure major bite there, although since purchasing another very well mannerd african grey, the Mr. Biter has in fact calmed down to a low pick scream when we have to corner him with a towel (which we hate doing) to get him out of his caged enviroment and bring him up to hang out on the playstand or give him a bath. It is dramatic for him that we don’t do it as often as we would like. But it is getting easier. I wonder if he will ever fully trust that we would never hurt him. We leave his cage side door open and he can and we suspect that he does come out of his cage and hang out on top – tell tell signs when we get home. He is a sweet talker and I call him my babysitter, because when the other birds get loud – he tells them to knock it off or he’ll groan and say “shutup!”

Would love to come to your show. We have no personal pluckers in our flock of 8, but we have seen several and just wonder what we could do to help them. One bird seems to not do it out of stress (although, we believe it started due to that), she seems to be doing it out of habit. Almost like a game, she will pluck out a down feather and then try to catch it. Beautiful bird, as they are all!

Chet …
The event you have planned sounds very interesting. I hope I can attend with my African Grey “Joe”. He is a good bird doesn’t bite or scream but doesn’t talk very much wish he would say more. But the other day when he was in the barn and it started to rain and he was getting wet, the demanding little bugger, said “get over here”, he is real bossy. I am his 4th human he was mistreated a little by his 2nd. He is at least 28 yrs old we don’t know his hatch date. Joe seems very intellegent but he has a poor teacher (me). If we come we will travel in the Motor Home. Most people want to know what swear words he knows, he doesn’t use any so to be different I am trying to teach him to say Alleluia Amen… He has said Alleluia 3 times. He is a people bird will step up to most every one especially women he likes women best ( just like his human). Hope to make the event and meet other bird lovers. I know my weak spot as a trainer, I feed him too much so he doesn’t have a special treat. Just can’t bring myself to put him on the training diet you recommend. My fault. Turns his back on the stick and want to click the clicker himself and does. Can’t fool him twice the second time you try to trick him he looks at me like …. i’ve seen that one before G.I.

Regards,
bob

Dear chet,

We would love to come to yr event,Very good idea,
Allthough we live in europe,the netherlands.
Me,my 2 daughters my son and my husband together with our amazone parrot (yellow-wing blue forehead) love your emails and the little lessons to be learned, with great effect,
I,m affraid our Jack has learnt the most.
Only yesterday i looked at him/her and he said to me:
What are you looking at?
I thought that a parrot just copies what you say,but ours
is leaving diffrent kind of comments.
First starting with words,but now makes scentences.
The bird is now 1 year old.
Our jack would love to see tricks of the trade, how to
handle the humanoids in the room!
Jack loves to call me 20 times (without screaming) but he
says come on come on,yes well done,come on come on great
come on hello come come (this is not a joke) then when one of us finally approaches him,he says well done youre great….jackie.(talking to himself)
We would really like to see more of the subjects a parrot keeps
him/herself busy with during a average day.
Other than splitting a fruittreebranch, cracking nuts ,or hitching a hike on the person walking along his tree.
We feel that a parrot is much smarter than advised by the breeder,or is it ?
Anyway,we would like to see the education/training and
how to really motivate the bird to be more active-FLY.
Could it be that the treat is something else for every single person in the family?

And of course surprise us with revaeling at least one
good,useful simple training,which makes a big difference
for instance -how to make sure that he won,t shit on
your shoulder.

When our jack does that, he laughs his little head off.

Keep on the good work!!,kind rgds Helene,michael and kids.
and of course a big hug from jack.

s

Hope to get to Orlando w. you, Chet, but cannot commit now. How about trying for Irene Pepperberg. I’d love to hear her speak if we can make it.

My African Grey, Georgie Girl, is about 2 years old and has recently begun some rather bizarre behavior.
She. (a guess) gets on the back of our wing backed chair where we usually spend time together and paces back and forth with her wings hunched forward and slightly away from her body. She makes little whimpering noises, acts like she wants her neck scratched and pulls away quickly when I do scratch her neck. She also grabs at my hands or my head with one foot and has scratched me all over my shoulders, neck, head and arms. Any idea what is going on with this?
Also, my order of safe toys arrived today and I replaced 2 of the toys inside the cage with new ones. She seems terrified of them and refuses to even get up on the play gym. I’m going to have to remove them to get her to eat dinner and go to bed. Any help will be appreciated.
Judi

Oh Chet, I wish that you would take this idea on the road! If you could book one show in a different city each month (12 shows a year, 12 chances that one of the shows would be within driving distance of my home) you would reach so many more people! I desperately want to attend in Florida but logistically it would just be too hard and costly. By planning your cities carefully, you can pull people from a wide area who could drive to your event and “make a day of it” instead of having to jet all over the country and dedicate a whole weekend or heaven forbid vacation days. Have an expo with vendors (bird items off all types and food for the attendees so they don’t have to leave the venue) that you invite (and charge for the privledge) and it’s a bird lovers dream day.

I also have an idea that I am going to steal from my horse days. You could hold a “clinic” where a parrot parent (or two or however many you might have time for) brings in their problem child for you to work with live (hope your nerves are up for that!) while folks watch. I always found those to be the most helpful part of the horse events I attended. Actually watching an instructor talk an owner through their problems, with the owner doing the handling themselves, reinforced (to me anyway) that this was something even a novice could do. Also by having the person who owns the animal doing the handling, many common handling mistakes wil be made that someone like yourself just wouldn’t do but the audience would.

As for topics, I think that you could be clever and have a few things going on at the same time. Perhaps a few speakers going on in smaller venues at the same time and each participant could decide which topic they are most interested in seeing from the options offered. Have a large opening and closing segment that everyone attends (if you have the room) and then let folks have some choice for other parts of the day. It would take some planning, but once you got your speakers lined up and a schedule made, it would be reproducible from show to show. Conventions do this type of thing all the time, it enables them to be “all things to all people”.

Okay, for my last idea, find a bird club or rescue in or near each host city and let them tie in for an event the following day or later in the day after your event. They would be the best source of information for you with regards to where you should advertise in that area to get the largest crowds and which local vendors you would want to use. Having a local connection like that would make your planning easier and they would benefit as well which means that birds everywhere will benefit.

Thanks for listening….

you can count on me to go to the orlando show. i would like to get a reveiw on some basics as i recently got a 5 yea old sulfer crested cockatoo that has some training but needs some and would love to see what he will be able to do with some work. looking forward to the show, see you in jan

Hi Chet,
I’d love to go to Orlando but have to earn the money to fly down there from California. So keep me posted. I’d like to learn advanced tricks for cockatoos. I hope I can go!
Garrett Hasslinger

I foster birds for a local bird club. At present, I have a challenging Monk. I will not be able to get him a permanent home unless he will be much less territorial and stop biting.
I would love to have suggestions to help him with. I would also like to have a video of the event. Good job guys. Joann

Live in Adelaide, Australia, to far to come. I have a cockatiel (Rocky) and a Indian Ringneck (Max). How do you get them to play outside there cage on there own. They always want to be with me, especially Max. I can’t move 2 feet away

what about softbills? starlings talk and all 10 of my canaries are at least tame.

Hey Chet, I am fairly new to the bird world, just got my first bird ( beautiful little hand-fed Sun Conure) I have only had him three days and I already adore him. What I would like to see is maybe a section for newcomers bringing home the new baby and the do’s and dont’s involved. I know I did lots of research before i went out bought mine and it is almost nerve-racking trying to make sure that you are well suit to raise such complex beings. This is amazing; I bought your trick training program about a month ago and studied up before I got my Sun and in just two days I already have him flying on command to my arm from about five feet away (mind you he is only 14-15 weeks old…..wow huh!!!) I am sold on your methodology and I think the live seminar is a great idea. Keep up the awesome work and Best of Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Chet, I am a newcomer to the bird world, I am working through your CDs and books and feel these are sufficient for us to cope with, so dont have any suggestions, I am still digesting all this information. I have a very loving Cockatiel and we are learing fast. I would love to come, bags packed, when do the tickets arrive, Ha Ha. Seriously I am looking for a job so may be there yet, but what will I do with my little Lockie?

I have several of the Womach training tapes and books, and have used the ideas to help with my 7 year old Dusky Headed Conure. She is a delightful part of the family, thanks to the training tips. I am always looking for new tricks for her.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Dave and Chet for the phone call in June. I got lots of great ideas from them on that call. It was really wonderfulto speak to them in person.
It is exciting to think of the meeting in Orlando. I will definitely plan to be there. I am sure that it will be an extavaganza of bird tricks, trainers, books, tapes, toys, food, cages, and fun! Can’t wait!

What is the date, location and price and how and where do I get tickets for the Orlando live event? I look forward to the event.

I agree that more health and care information would be good. I have a conure who I got from the local pet shop and he was there for a year before I bought him. He also had a cage mate. I could only afford one so I picked one and took him home with me. Actually, not sure if it is a her or him. Anyway, my mom had a conure when I was growing up and she told me that I need to help him with his grooming to get rid of the dead feathers. I have not got far enough in the touch training for her to show me how to do this and right now I am the only one he will allow to touch him but he won’t let me touch him for long or very much. I am worried about his grooming and care. My mom mentioned to me that since conures usually are in group they help groom each other and so if I don’t help him it could get painful and irritating to him. I have noticed that he is actually using one of his toys to go upside down and rub his back (of his neck) against one of his perches. I know that I have to be patient and keep using the touch technique so that I can get him to accept me and others but more information on grooming, care, and health would be appreciated.

Hi Chet,
I would be very interested in attending this event. I would like to learn more about the basics of parrot behavior, and aggression isssues. I have a Scarlet Macaw that is trying to draw blood everytime I try to take him out of his cage, and I am desperate to find out and fix his behavioral problems . I have had Pele for almost 7yrs. He has never liked to be touched and has always tried to bite, but all of the sudden it is much worse. I would like to know how much the tickets are going to be and the date. I failed to mention that I have 4 other Macaws and 2 Cockatoos. This conference would be very helpful, I feel.
Sincerely,
Sharon from Michigan

Hi Chet,
I am very interested in this event. I have 5 Macaws & 2 Cockatoos. Pele is my Scarlet macaw who is trying to draw blood from me everytime I try to get him out. I think topics on the basics of Parrot behavior and aggression would be very helpful.
Sincerely,
Sharon from Michigan

Hey Chet!
I think your event sounds great! Love to attend, but being from Canada, I’ll wait till you host one in Philly or maybe Toronto. I ordered your complete package before I even picked up my feathered friend, “Q” (he’s a 10 month old Senegal). Although I’ve read all your emails and newsletters, I still haven’t watched any of the videos. I’m waiting till he’s a little older before I begin the “intense” training. I believe he will pick it up quickly because he is very intelligent! He steps up with ease, gives kisses and hugs when asked,(no treats involved) and has already begun to use his voice. Only three words, but hey, he’s still a baby! He even comes to me when I call him even if I’m in another room! Such a good dog…um..bird. Anyhow enough rambling; about your show…basic or advanced? Why not both? Start with basic…for those that are familiar with birds and your courses, it would act as a refresher and for those with mere interest, it would provide some insight. As you get to more advanced techniques, those familiars would amass better knowledge, while those with a simpler interests would be in complete awe! Just be sure to warn them, not to run to the nearest pet store to buy an “upscale” parrot. I researched parrots for literally months before choosing a breed and then it was months after that that I found a reputable breeder and moths after that before I could pick up the treasure. Q and I have been best friends every since with (knock on wood) no behavior problems!
Thanx alot
Chris from CANADA

I have read several messages left by other bird owners and agree with several of their suggestions– bird health issues, foods they should stay away from. accidental punishment things we might do every day. I would like to know how smart my African Grey really is. I tell all my friends that of all the animals we own, I feel as though she may have the greatest ability to feel all the emotions we do and there by need us to interact with her more. What is her potential. What are some things we can do to keep them content while we are away from home. I would love to attend your show but Washington is too far away from Florida. I would be interested in a video of the show though. Thank you for all the e-mails on updated info for our Smokie. They are always helpful. Best of luck with your show.

Hi Chet!
I get your weekly newsletters and really enjoy reading them and receiving all your tips. I live in Iceland so I you wouldn’t think I’d be able to make it to the event but it turns out I’ll probably be spending Christmas and New Years in Orlando Florida with my family in law!!! So if this event is early enough I will definitely be there! As the bird community in Iceland is not very big I would be thrilled to watch and learn whatever you choose to cover in the event. I think a good variety of topics would be the way to go.
Regards,
Gyða Erlingsdóttir

I recently got a blue and gold macaw about 4 months ago from people who abused this bird. I talked them into selling him to me, the wife hated this bird anyway. His cage had been beat with baseball bat and broom handles. He had been squirted with the stream of a water bottle and squirt guns. He was so very thin and his feathers a mess, toe nails so badly over grown that the CUT into my skin when on my arm. I can’t let him get on my shouler or he will bite at my neck, face, and head. Now the real problem comes at night,he knows when bed time is and he will not step up to be put in cage and he won’t go in on his own. I’ve tried bribeing with food and every thing I can think of. I bought him a wooden ladder for him to climb around on and he is terrofied of it, and this may sound crule and to me it is and it just breaks my heart because I love this bird bird, I have to pick up that ladder and him see it for him to go in at night. Now he didn’t always do this with me, he just figured out that when it starts getting dark not to step up because he was going in and now he is reluctunt to step up most of the time, hence came the ladder. I do not work and I am home all the time unless going to the Dr. He has had his nails and wings taken care of. But I really do need help with this problem. Can you help me?

Hi Chet .I am a foster mom I have a amazon parrot ,they don’t know how old he is, we think over 5 years.he won’t step up, I tryed a stick, he runes away,and hes bit me. he came to me with. he came to me with no training, they think a pet store. he behaves badley,but I love him and won’t give up.I order your DVD hope they help me. thank you Bea Campisi

This sounds like a fantastic event. I would love to attend.

My favorite tips it’s about parrot behavor. When your bird have good comportement itès easyer to spend time with him and show some little tricks.
I have only small parrot, 2 love birds but this kind of birds are able to have very bad behavor and one of them a little female nameès Rubis bites everybody. I’m the only one who can play with her and pet her. She is so cute and able to give a lot a love. The other one is really independant and don,t like to be pet but he love to be near you, my husband and I can play with him but he prefer my husband. He is a lettle boy name Twtty he is 13 years old.

Continue to share your experience with people, I think you do a good job for all birds because when people have big behavor problem, they don’t want to keep their birds and in this way behavior problems becomes worst.
Thanks you for all of you do for our birds friend!

i would love to come to fla, but i live in Iceland and would have to make it a hollyday trip. But we have 2 blue-gold, french mastiff, great dane and 3 cats. so it would take time to find someone to take care of our pets for 2-3 weeks. we dont travel from Iceland to fla for less than 2 weeks.

we will do all we can to join. we would like to learn tricks like how to train them to speak more. and not to bite ppl

want to know when in jan?

need to buy tikkets now

Hi Chet
I love reading your stuff. I have a sun conure and a quaker
they are both about 14 yrs old. they don’t get along at all. one is out of her cage all day, then Baby the sunconure is out all evening
it sure would be nice to have them both out at the same time,
without them trying to attack each other. anyway if you ever
have a show upstate NY (Albany area) let me know I’d love
to go
Thanks
keep up the good work
Betsy

Hi,like everyone has said,this is fantastic.But,come to Australia on the Eastern side,although it would be a bit pricey for you.So can you tape it & somehow put it on your website?
Love your news letter and all the great advise.
Justine

Please come to England, UK.

my 2 1/2 y/o CAG is my fourth parrot, lifetime, and i have trained and loved 2 exceptional dogs, and 2 great kids. i have learned a few commonalities from these experiences which i will try to share.
THE MIRROR EFFECT: check yourself out first. there are some very forgiving animals-dogs-that will actually comfort us when we feel bad. that is not your parrot. all the smart ones will read you first, and then respond. if it’s a bad day for you, don’t make it a training day for your pet. if it’s a bad day, he bites you, you’re angry, close his door and leave the room. don’t interact when you are emotionally labile, they can tell. CALM is what you are after, always calm.
POKER: my son taught me poker when he was in high school and i have loved it ever since. my African loves poker too. he will play and will bluff convincingly. so, look at him with a poker face, and leave the room. he will usually fold at that point, but if he doesn’t then you know what you’re working with. CAGs are always challenging and testing boundaries in some way. Bongo will argue and call me names, some of which i call right back to him.
I’M THE BOSS YOU’
RE THE BIRD: dog, child, whatever, but there has to be a mutually agreed upon relationship. first goal, develop trust, and develop a need for the bird to be happy to see you. indeed even with a CAG this can end up being a playful petting regurgitation etc session, but first a relationship. use the cage and food and your presence. play with your bird through the cage, with lots of chatter. now we’re assuming that you are mirror good-positive. these birds have to be given more leash than a dog, but they will actually respond positively to firm/fair hand. ultimately, you want their worst punishment in their minds to be separation from you-pure and simple-for their bad behavior. i use the words TIME OUT with my guy and very casually put him in his cage, and calmly tell him why he is on time out. parrots don’t whine, so he won’t let on that he cares much, but they do.
NO BAD BIRDS: there just aren’t any. yelling “bad bird” in that universal tone is backwards. better to tell them the desired behavior, and then praise them when they do it. i’m not too much of a treats guy as reward. the reward is that you made me happy and i let you know it. their favorite treats come on no schedule from me, but i will sometimes give Bongo his favorite treat when i wake him up-and that’s 15 minutes. time spent gives good results with minimal effort, so rub his head when he lowers it, don’t rush him out of his cage, play with him in his cage on his toys. he will have fun, and you will end up touching, with permission, every square centimeter of his body. now that bird is tame, and likes his master. he will step up for you, potty on command, give you kisses, follow verbal instruction from across the room, etc. of course they’re never perfect, who is. pick your battles, but remember that you control his freedom and access, his food, and those combined with a positive and CALM but firm approach can win you the mind and trust, and that is what you want.

You should come over to the UK i have 2 parrots a lovely black headed caique called george and an african grey called charlie who seems to hate everybody and he will bite and draw blood, he even puts his feet outside if his cage to grab something and pull it though his bars whether it be a part of us, a dogs tail or part of george!

How to get through puberty – all male parrots go through this for (?) number of years. I have a friend with a Triton cockatoo (3 or 4 yrs old) and despite the fact that she loves him, would do anything for him and has had him since he was a baby that bird would just lay into her then look as if he didn’t believe what he’d just done – like he had a dual personality or something. My Solly, male eclectus of 3 yrs is no doubt feeling his oats now too so to speak. I would like to prepare or find ways of coping with this onset of hormones (I don’t want to breed him but then again, feel guilty for making such a momentous decision – I really hate giving Solly the only option of being with me). What to do? What to do?

well i live jn lewisville texas so it would be kinda expensive for me and my birds to be there hope you hit all the topics that are helpfull to the people these are wonderfull animals that you dont causally just concider they are very understanding if you give them sinceraty love and fill them till they have enough then they go by them selves to play and do any thing you want them to do with practice over and over love your birds

its in the people if they stop and look inside them selves its there some times its hard to see but to know what to look for and bring it out not easy at first but its in there birds undrestand this and feel very comfortable with this,,,then any thing out side of this is simple hungry,,,need food thirsty need water cold need heat like mother with new born when change happens introduce your bird as you are in contoll so they feel protected by you reassurance is the best way by your love is what they feel good with they dont have to screem unless your mad or something not good happing

teach the people how to love thier bird so that the bird loves being there with them to bring dear moments of love special then fond ness grows with understanding each should be slow so that they can grasp what you mean for the birds sake and the owner as well too this is what is precious about loving a bird i guess ive said enuff so any way wish you well and fun with your event

Chet, I have a conours that i found in my back yard after a storm and tyred to locate its owner but no success,he was tired and hugry so he came right to me and got on hand and i pet his head and brought him in the house and feed and watered him. He has been real docile for about 8 weeks now and would eat out of my hand and sit in his cagei bought with toys.he loves to play with the beads on a leather stap.but i got up and uncovered him one day and he was fine til i went to open his cage and ruched at me and tryed to bite me,he never acted like this before to me and i’am the only one in my house so i dont know why he turned so mean to me.the beads he use to play with are like my hand to him he totaly trys to destroy them and screams at them and me.i tryed to feed him hes favorite treat and he just lunged at me and bite me.and know i cant get him to to any kind of intwine or social things like feed him or clean his cage with out him trying to bite me. he even runs and lunges at me whaen i walk by his cage. any help would really be nice. thanks ken bair

I have a senegal parrot named steve and we live in florida so i would love to come to this 1st time live event whenever you give out more info. It would be cool to have birds being trained or taught live onstage…especially flight. All of your advice and help makes perfect sense. I almost wonder why i havnt tried thinking like my bird myself!

I have a beautiful parakeet named VIERNES which means FRIDAY…he is pretty smart although a little bit jealous …he can´t stand seeing me kissing my wife…ja ja…i will be in orlando in november and i would love 2 b there!!! unfortunately i will b coming back to COLOMBIA SOUTH AMERICA in December …any way good luck…it sounds very interesting!!!

Would like to see how to wean a needy bird from wanting to be with me constantly when he knows I’m at home. I left on a trip and when I came back he does not want to let me out of his site. I’ve been back 3 weeks now & he is a little better but not much.

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing that story about “accidental punishment”….I think that was my grey’s problem. He was fine with me until I touched his food dish and until I tried to put him in the cage. If I did not commit myself to death defying acrobatics every time I tried either one of those tasks, I would have most certainly lost my hands for good by now. His behavior has changed to be more docile and not so afraid of other people (I have had a baby and my sister now lives with me and my parents come to visit, etc) and he no longer is infuriated with me touching his cage or food. I haven’t been quite brave enough to try to put him in the cage yet….we’ll see. Thanks for your dedication to helping us raise happy healthy birds.