Clicker training is a training method that utilizes the ways animals use naturally. Clicker training is all about postive reinforcing wanted behaviours, and not punished unwanted ones. This allows you to build a strong relationship with your bird in a positive way.

Clicker training is supossed to be a fun time for you and your bird. Don't work with your bird if it shows any sign of stress or is sick. Building trust is imporant before you attempt to train your bird.

Birds will show behaviours that are rewarded. Clicker training allows us to communicate very precisely to our birds and reward the behaviours we like.

First off, you will need a clicker. You can buy them from most pet stores, and they usually come with an instruction booklet. If one is not available, you could use anything that makes a clear clicking noise such as a clicking pen, or metal lid.

The clicker is the bridge between the animals behaviour and the treat. We are able to mark a desired behaviour that we like. This can be difficult depending on which command you are trying to teach your bird. The clicker must convey the messge, and be linked to the reward.

Before you start, you will need to find your birds favourite treat. Place a plate with a selection of treats and observe which one it chooses first. Repeat the test to be sure, and this will become the reward you use in clicker training. The treat should be cut up into tiny pieces for training, otherwise it will take to long and the bird will become distracted.

Conditioning the clicker. To be effective, after the click the bird should immediatly recieve the treat. It is very important that the click and treat happen within a very short time span for them to be linked to one another. Repeat the click and treat approximately ten times in a row. Then, take a break of a few minutes. Repeat this set of ten clicks and treats about four to five times, keeping several minute breaks in between sets. By then most birds will have understood the connection.

One conditioning the clicker is complete and your bird understands the connection of click and treat, you can start training. There are 5 ways to desire a behaviour;

1. Catching the behavior
2. Showing the behavior
3. Shaping behavior
4. Enticement
5. Physical assistance

To start the clicker training course you will be teaching the bird to follow the target stick. This is simply a stick appropriately sized for the bird you are training with. Next to the clicker, the target stick is the most important tool in clicker training.

Start by positioning the target stick with its tip closely in front of your bird’s beak, but without touching it. Your bird should learn to bite only into target stick’s tip. This makes it easier later on to precisely direct your bird to any position with the help of the target stick.

Make it easy for your bird to be successful, by holding the target stick in a way that your bird can only bite into the target stick’s tip. Make sure that you do not touch the bird’s beak yourself with the target stick. This is very important. Not you should be acting, but your bird. If you are the one touching his beak, he will not learn anything.

If your bird hesitates before he bites into the tip, be patient. If he overcomes his hesitation, be very generous when rewarding him.

After your bird has finished eating his treat, repeat the exercise. Keep repeating the exercise, until your bird easily and effortlessly bites into the target stick’s tip whenever you present it to him.

Clicker training isn't an easy process, but is very effective when performed right.
Be generous, and consistent, and you will suceed with great results.