Back to the basics again. This round no fancy props, but common empty paper towel roller that can be found in almost every household. So what Kiki going to perform this time with the empty roller?

Just like what the title says, it’s her own Tunnel Trick. A relatively simple trick, but interesting and fun trick that able to kill any boredom and motivating her to continue to learn new things.

Kiki mastered this trick within minutes. She had no difficulty in understanding and performing the trick, because she had did something similar before. Remembering the hoop trick that I shared with everyone on my previous posting. Both are actually the same, the only difference is the prop. The hoop trick is with a metal wire hoop whereas the current Tunnel trick is with the empty paper towel roller.

When I was updating Kiki’s trick list, I found something shocking and surprising. With Kiki mastering this trick, I can humbly highlight that she has mastered a total of 17 tricks and commands. Impressive? I guess it can definitely be an alarming figure for a small parrot like Kiki.

Thus a pea-brained is not necessary stupid. The size of the parrot not necessarily denote the intelligence and the ability of the parrot after all.

Related Post:
Kiki’s Through The Hoop Trick

I’m back again to share with everyone a new trick from Kermit. I’m proud to present to everyone Kermit’s very own Somersault Trick.

As Senegal Parrots are very acrobatic by nature, thus the trick shouldn’t post much difficulty to these african queens. Kermit learned the trick almost instantly.

Basically I used the similar steps and techniques that was used when teaching Kiki, my lovebird, the somersault trick. The only difference is that I used a wooden dowel pole as the hand perch, soon after Kermit was able to perform confidently under my hand and vocal cues, I replace the hand with perch with my right hand. Kermit progress really well during the trick training.

Any parrot owners interested in teaching this trick to your parrots, can refer to my previous post labeled Kiki’s Somersault Trick. The post highlighted the clear steps on how I guided Kiki into doing the somersault flip.

Related Post:
Kiki’s Somersault Trick

Finally got to showcase Kermit, my Senegal Parrot’s first prop trick, the Kermit’s Retrieval Trick. Compared to Kiki, Kermit took a longer time to understand and master the trick, but he didn’t disappoint me in the end.

In comparison, Kiki seems to be a fast performer in her retrieval trick whereas Kermit seems to be a little laid back, slow but steady. Overall I’m still impress with Kermit’s performance, it’s already a big step and great progress in his trick training.

This round, I used the usual training techniques and similar teaching concept that was enforced on Kiki, instead of using the clicker method. Initially, I planned to use the clicker method on Kermit for this prop trick, but I found it rather difficult to manage. Difficult as in, I will appear to be “handicapped” during the training. A use of clicker in the training means an additional hand required in the training, thus I decided to use back the usual training techniques I’m more familiar of.

Related Post:
Kiki doing the Fetching Trick
Introducing Clicker Training
Clicker & Target Training for Kermit
Introducing Target Training

Kiki has coming to 11 months old and soon be turning 1 year old by late June this year. Kiki was merely with us since August 2007, with a short 9 months companionship she had learned a surprising numbers of tricks.

Last night, I was updating the “About” section, suprisingly I notice I’ve taught 16 tricks and commands in total. Till date, she’s able to perform each and every tricks and commands with no problems at all (although at certain occassion there might be hiccups here and there, but minor mistakes can easily be fine tuned).

I do hope her enthusiasm in learning tricks never ends!

Kiki’s back again with her new trick. Although it is not possible for Kiki to drive a car, but I’ve managed to teach her how to pull a car instead.

It’s definitely fun watching her so into doing this. It’s like Kiki cruising around with her own Formula 1 Race car.

How do I teach?
The Pull a Car Trick is rather a simple trick, that any parrot owners can teach their parrots. The trick share the similar principle of a Retrieval or Fetching trick, the only difference is the prop. Kiki easily understand the whole concept mastered the whole trick after 2 sessions in a day.

First Step, like I always do for a new trick training, props introduction for Kiki. Kiki totally had no issue of accepting the red ring, but I met some problems with the purple race car. Kiki was totally fearful and frightened by the Purple Race Car, perhaps due to the irregular dimension of the object.

With the help of the target stick and treats, I managed to get Kiki to overcome her fear factor. She soon willing to touch and play with the 2 new props.

I moved on with teaching Kiki on how to retrieve the red ring only. She had no difficulty in achieving the task, because she had learned the Retrieval/Fetching trick some time ago.

As she had achieved on the retrieval of the red ring, I then tied the string to the red ring and the purple car. I began the training with a short distance right in front of the prop. Upon my “Fetching” cue, Kiki retrieved the red ring and place back on my hand. I praised and rewarded her immediately. I repeated the sequence several time.

I slowly add-on the distance at every session to add challenge to the training. Now, Kiki is able to perform and retrieve the car that is few inches away. It’s definitely exciting enjoying the sessions.

I’ve highlighted the breakdown of the steps below on how I guided Kiki on to accomplishing the Pull a Car Trick:

The Breakdown Process of the Cups Stacking Trick

1. Introduction of New Props (The Red Ring & Purple Race Car)
2. Learning How to Retrieve the Red Ring only
3. Learning How to Retrieve the Red Ring tying with the Purple Race Car
4. Continue training Retrieval of the Red Ring with the Purple Race Car

I probably going to teach Kiki on how to flag raise on her next trick training. Good luck to me and Kiki!

Related Post:
Kiki’s new F1 ride

After so long, I finally manage to upload to YouTube and share with everyone Kiki’s Cups Stacking Trick. That’s definitely a long wait, but hope this is a worthwhile one and everyone should enjoy watching the trick performance.

It’s fairly simple trick for Kiki. There isn’t much difficulty for her to understand the whole sequence and master the whole trick.

How do I teach?
Before I can really introduce Kiki into this trick, she must be able to master some of the basic trick component like the Retrieval/Fetching Trick.

Kiki had mastered the Fetching Trick and the Coin Depositing Trick, thus it’s definitely no difficulty for her to complete the task. The only differences is the prop. Like I always said, the first thing to do before moving into actual training, is to introduce the props.

Once proper introduction of the props have been conducted, the actual training commenced with teaching Kiki to pick up the cup upon cueing. When she achieve that, I slowly added another cup labeled with a green label identifying it as my master cup. The objective is that Kiki have to stack the cup onto the master cup.

This portion of the training can be the most challenging one, as Kiki had no idea how to stack the cup. Thus I had to conduct a live demo in front her, thereafter when she holding the cup I had to guide the cup slowly push it onto the master cup. Once she achieved it, I praised and rewarded her. I continued to assist her and complete the sequence several times until she truly understand that she had to stack the cup in order to be rewarded.

At the stage when she’s able to stack the cup on her own, I moved on adding 2 other cups to add challenge to the training. Every successful tries of stacking the cups, I praised and rewarded her.

Below I’ve highlight the breakdown sequence on how to train Kiki to accomplish the whole trick.

The Breakdown Process of the Cups Stacking Trick

1. Introduction of New Props (The Cups)
2. Learning How to Hold/Lift the Cup (Restrict to one Cup)
3. Learning How to Stack the Cup (Restrict to 2 Cups)
4. Add-on of 2 others cups into the training (Total of 3 Cups to stack into the master cup)
5. Full Training Sequence

Remember always be patience, be consistent in your training. Some parrots might take quite a while to understand and master the trick. Good luck to all parrot owners!

Related Posts:
The Cup Stacking Props
New tricks for new year

The first ever Formula 1 night race will be held in Singapore at the late quarter this year. The Formula 1 fever is rising, and everyone is excited!

Kiki is also looking forward for the race too, so I got her a new ride! It’s a purple race car, and Kiki loves it so much!

In fact it’s not really only a new “toy” for Kiki, and a prop for Kiki’s new trick. I’m planning to teach Kiki to “drive” a car, or should rephrase it as pulling the car!

Lately I haven’t manage to teach Kiki a new trick, partly because I’m running out of ideas of new tricks and she’s undergoing a molting for the past weeks and months. I wouldn’t want to stress her too much either.

With the new trick being introduced to her, I’m sure it will once again unleash her deep passion and enthusiasm in learning new things. I will say the trick is of not much difficulty to Kiki, as she had learn fetching, the retrieval trick.

The Car Pulling trick is of the similar concept in the retrieval trick, the only difference is the retrieval object is used as a pulley to car. Whenever Kiki is cued to fetch the retrieval object which is the red ring, the car will be pulled along during the fetching process. It’s gonna be fun and entertaining.

I’m looking forward to share the Youtube video with everyone real soon! Stay tune!

Many of friends asked me how do I train Kiki and Kermit to be an ultimate performer? There’s no secret on how train them to be like one. Many parrot owners will suggest best to start training since young. Does that mean if I have a adult bird, the bird will never be an ultimate performer?

Many experienced trainers and even parrot books suggested to start off training from a young age. Frankly speaking, age is not the key issue to parrot training. Even an African Grey which is in its mid-20s is still learning new things. But it’s always good to start training early, as it’s one best method to prevent and eliminate behavioral problems.

When I got Kiki and Kermit, I started basic training as soon as they get settle down to the new environment. To date (based on 18th April 2008), Kiki had already mastered 14 parrot tricks and Kermit mastered 4 basic parrot tricks. That’s an achievement! Both of them are still learning new things, so I expect the figures to grow!

So start off quickly with some simple training like step-up command. This is the first basic command, that I introduced to my parrots when I first go them. Then from there, add-on with other basic tricks like Turn-A-Round. Always be consistent with your training and train daily.

It’s always good to allocate a specific time when to conduct training session. Both of my parrots have their own specific time for training, once in the morning and the other at the evening. I always try to allocate 2 training sessions per day, although the morning slots are usually optional. You can have training sessions as much as 3 per day of 10-15 minutes, but no longer that.

Conclusion, the golden words to the success in parrot training:

1. Start training early
2. Be consistent in training
3. Train daily
4. and Patience!

Good luck and happy training your parrots!

Related Posts:
Kermit’s First Basic Tricks Collection
Kermit’s Turn-A-Round Trick
Introducing Clicker Training
Clicker & Target Training for Kermit
Introducing Target Training
Kiki performing the Turn-A-Round Trick

After weeks of training with the help of the clicker, I’m able to get Kermit to perform several different kind of basic tricks. It’s a great improvement and I’m totally delighted!

Well, I didn’t expect Kermit to be like Kiki to be an ultimate performer in the future. I just hope with the introduction of trick training will help solving some of the behavior issues that start to surface as Kermit matures through his developmental stage.

The following command and tricks that Kermit performed in the video are:

1. Touch the Stick (Target Training) - Warming Up Session
2. Turn-Around Trick
3. Hand-Shaking Trick
4. Waving Hello Trick

In Kermit’s Tricks Collection, you noticed that I’ve included the touch the stick command (Target Training) as the warming up exercise for Kermit. It’s the usual habit that I exercised as a trainer. Even Kiki is not spared for the warming up exercises. Before getting her to perform any tricks or learning any new tricks, I will get her to perform some warming up exercise like touching the target stick or performing other basic commands like Step-Up or Step-down.

The purpose of the getting them to perform some this simple warming-up stints, will ensure that my angels (Kermit and Kiki) build up the training confident and the attention given to me. Usually after the a few exercises, Kermit and Kiki will be more attentive and sensitive to the cues. Try it and you understand the differences that I trying to elaborate.

The tricks that I taught Kermit were of the similar steps that was implemented on Kiki. The only difference is the additional presence of the clicker to help highlight the right behavior that Kermit does.

Anyone interested in teaching your companion parrots these basic tricks can refer back to my previous posts on Kiki’s trick performances. These posts highlighted some tips and simple steps in training the respective tricks. Good Luck! Like i usual like to say Patience is the key to success!

Related Posts:
Kermit’s Turn-A-Round Trick
Introducing Clicker Training
Clicker & Target Training for Kermit
Introducing Target Training
Kiki’s Basic T-Stand Tricks Collection
Hellooooo! Kiki’s Waving Hello Trick
Kiki performing the Turn-A-Round Trick

Kermit is now 5 months old now and it has been a difficult task in training him up. I’ve tried just using positive reinforcement training as soon as he was fully weaned, but the results weren’t that satisfying. Kermit is totally different from my talented lovebird, Kiki. I’m forced to adapt a different way of training from the usual method executed on Kiki.

I have great luck in training Kiki just only with the use of positive reinforcement training. Kiki can easily pick up the new tricks and behaviors through the training. Kiki is truly talented, a Smart Alec that I will use to describe her as.

Based on my daily observations on Kiki and Kermit during their training sessions, here are some of the findings of the 2 comparisons:

Kiki during a 15 minutes training session

• Better attention span
• Proactive
• More enthusiastic and easily excited
• Responsive to human vocal commands

Kermit during a 15 minutes training session

• Poorer attention span (Tends to looks elsewhere)
• Doesn’t seem to be proactive
• Not enthusiastic nor easily excited
• Less responsive to human vocal commands
• Less confident

You can see the vast differences among the two species. It’s never surprise to see Kiki mastering a new behavior or tricks in less than 10 minutes. She’s more of the hyperactive and more enthusiastic participant as compared to Kermit. Kermit has a much shorter attention span as compared to Kiki.

I’m able get Kiki to perform all the behaviors and tricks that she learned over 20- 30 minutes continuously, and after 30 minutes (although not recommended as it can easily possible leads to fustration if the parrot failed to perform the correct act) she still has the attention on me. As for Kermit, his mind start to wander of after 8-10minutes. I will say it’s definitely difficult to maintain the attention from a Senegal Parrot as compared to a African Lovebird. Furthermore, the slightest sound or motion of an object (including a fly flying around the vicinity) will instil fear in Kermit, diverting his attention and disrupting the whole training session.

There are a few factors that contributed to the unacceptable results in Kermit’s Training session. I have to admit the failure of shaping the new behavior, partly the fault lies on me. At certain part of the training, when Kermit suddenly performed the right behavior, I wasn’t able to reinforce and treat immediately at that moment.

Next, there’s also disadvantages of using positive reinforcement training with treats, you have to offer the treat immediately when the parrot performed the right behavior at that very moment. By doing so, the parrot will then understand and link the right behavior with the treat. Thus the parrot will know that everytime he/she performed that behavior he/she gets the treats. But many times during Kermit’s training session, I committed the mistake of not offering the treat immediately at the split second when the right behavior is performed. Any time later than that, Kermit will not be able to link the right behavior with the treat. It’s definitely one stressful task!

Two weeks ago, I started introducing Clicker and Target Training along with positive reinforcement. The results were really amazing, and Kermit was able to perform the his first trick, the Turn-a-Round trick after the 3rd day of Click and Target Training. Kermit had learned to associate the clicking sound with food. With this great advantage, I’m able to sound the clicker at the very right moment when Kermit performed the behavior that I want him to do.

I’m truly amazed, the clicker training does enhance the training experience. I’ve yet to explore more on the clicker training and unveil the power of clicker training for new tricks and behavior training. Hopefully I will be able to get my brother to capture a full motion clip on Kermit performing his first ever trick, the Turn-a-Round trick. So do stay tune!