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Time Out Is The Only Punishment For Pet Birds

this article examines why time out is the only punishment for pet birds ...

If you find the need to discipline your pet bird you must keep in mind that the time out is the only punishment for pet birds that will be effective. You can't hit a bird or it will become mean and fear people for life. If you shout or yell at the bird, it will just enjoy all the drama and do the bad behavior again. Any other form of punishment other than the time out is abusive and should never be considered.

Before using the time out as the only punishment for pet birds, first teach the bird the "no" command. Use the no command to give the bird the opportunity to stop whatever bad behavior it is doing. If, after using no several times, the bird continues, then it is time to use the time out and let the bird know it is bad.

Because birds want to be with their people and have attention, the time out is the only punishment for pet birds because it removes the aspect of their having attention and contact with their humans. Simply place the pet bird in its cage, shut the door and leave it alone for 10 minutes. Leaving the bird in the cage any longer will not get through to it that the action caused the punishment. It will just think you are being mean to it and ignoring it. Birds have short attention spans, so if you return in 10 minutes and let the bird out, continuing with activities as normal, the bird will soon get the idea that there is a cause and effect relationship and that it an choose to avoid time out by being good.

If, once you place the bird in its cage it begins to scream, cover the cage and leave it for the remainder of the full 10 minutes. If your bird is really stubborn and after a while doesn't see the relationship between its actions and the time out, you may want to get a smaller cage that has no toys or treats inside, only basic food and water and place the bird inside that cage for the time out. This will really get the idea through to your bird.

Birds are smart creatures and using time out as the only punishment for pet birds, you may find that quickly all you have to do is, after saying no, ask the bird if you're going to have to give him a time out.

Never take away food from a bird as punishment or even as training. Time out is the only punishment for pet birds that any responsible parrot or bird owner will allow. Never throw anything at a pet bird. It will not understand and will only think you are trying to play but don't know how. Use the time out sparingly so that it will remain effective.

Be reasonable in your expectations. If you leave things out you don't want destroyed by your bird and your bird is able to get to the items that is not the fault of the bird but is in fact lack of vigilance on your part. Remember, time out is the only punishment for pet birds!

For more information about pet birds, bird training and bird aviaries, see the "resources" section of this website, or go to articles about pet birds.