Bird training rewards can be a very effective tool in helping your bird learn new behaviors. As with any training, consistency and praise should be used along with bird training rewards.

Choose a treat that your bird truly enjoys to use as bird training rewards. Be sure the portion sizes are small, usually consisting of just one bite. This is important for a few reasons. For one thing, you don’t want your bird gaining weight simply because she is doing well at her training! Just as important, though, you want to keep the focus on the training rather than on the food itself. If it takes your bird too long to consume the bird training reward, she may become distracted from the training and no longer connect the reward with the positive behavior. Using a particular treat just as a bird training reward, and not giving it to the bird at any other time or in any other context, can help reinforce the connection between the desired behavior and the bird training reward.

Bird training rewards should be given to the bird immediately after the desired behavior is performed, and should be used consistently. This is especially important in the early stages of training. Giving your bird his training reward without delay helps to keep the connection between the specific behavior and the reward clear. Waiting until the bird has performed several different behaviors before offering bird training rewards can confuse the bird. Likewise, be consistent in the type and amount of reward offered. Changing the type or amount of bird training rewards given for a single type of behavior can be confusing to the bird.

The specific type of bird training rewards you choose will depend on your bird. For large species, pieces of cut fruit can be a good training reward. For smaller birds, nuts (already shelled to make it easier for the bird to eat them quickly and easily during training) can make good choices. There is a wide variety of commercially prepared treats available for use as bird training rewards. The keys to keep in mind when making your selection are to be sure the reward is something your particular bird really loves, and be sure it is something healthy for your pet.

Bird training rewards, when selected carefully and used properly, can greatly enhance any training program. Reward your bird consistently, and be sure the reward includes not only a treat but plenty of praise as well. You will soon find that your bird performs the requested behavior consistently and with enthusiasm when she knows bird training rewards will be forthcoming.