It took about a week to get him lying on his back but we had been working on other things first. I always tried it later in the evening when he was less frisky. He never did break skin while we trained him
We started doing "Upside down bird" and have him hang from our finger. Then we'd give him a pine nut. Later we'd go though his tricks while hanging upside down. Now he wants to hang upside down all the time.
One evening i just got brave, (or stupid), and decided to lay him down on my lap. You have to get your fingers out of the way fast or you're probably due a nip. I got a few, but not very hard. The way I have him laying on my lap he's basically trapped at that point, although recently he's learned to flip over by himself.
Then it's treat time and we practice his command/response sequence.
Has anyone else every used "pine nuts" as a treat for their parrot?
We never use them in his regular food, but only as a very special treat as a reward. He basically absorbs them, minimal chewing involved.
Thanks,
PakaBird
