Many parents today use “time out” as an alternative discipline for their children. Time out is when you effectively remove your child from outside stimulus by isolating them for several minutes. The punishment is most effective when carried out by placing the child in a corner or on a step for a time period equal to one minute for every year of age.
So, how does this relate to pet birds?
You can use this same non-violent, passive approach to discipline with your parrot.
Most parrots want nothing more than to be with you. They love you and want to spend time with you, but sometimes they break the rules.
Whether it is biting, yelling in your ear or pooping on your shoulder, inappropriate behaviors must be addressed in a way that doesn’t harm your bird in any way, but does still drive the point home.
In the past, I have used a time out cage with great success.
I placed a small cage in a closet and when my Chicken (a special needs sun conure with a bad biting habit) got out of line I would place him in the cage and close the closet door.
Because Chicken would forget why he was there very quickly, I never left him in time out for more than five minutes.
Though Chicken still has a long road ahead of him, he is night and day from the way he was.
Time out for birds, just like with children, is a diligent process and must be kept consistent for the best results.
Never keep a bird isolated for long periods of time.
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