Training your bird is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Here's what you need to know about Bird Training.

Finger Training

Parakeets, cockatiels and parrots learn quickly to sit on your finger. Be patient with finches and canaries and you may be rewarded with having them sit on your finger too. In general, young birds respond better to training than older birds so start early. After your pet has had some time to get used to her new surroundings, start training her to step onto a perch. Hold the perch in the cage crosswise to the bird's body near her legs and nudge her gently with it. She will quickly learn to step onto the perch. After she's used to that, replace the perch with your finger. Don't wear gloves and be gentle. After she's comfortable stepping onto your hand you can take her out of the cage. Just be sure your home is safe for your little flyer. Close all windows and doors, cover mirrors and make sure the ceiling fans and stove burners are off.

Vocal Training

Teaching your pet to talk will be more of a challenge. Some breeds are more ready talkers than others. Choose a safe, quiet, calm environment for training. Pick a short, simple word and repeat it over and over again. Patience is the key here. Make sure she's looking at you and paying attention. If not, try changing the pitch of your voice to get her attention. Once she learns a word, move onto another. Over time the training process will increase in speed. And it never hurts to reward your pet with a scrumptious snack.