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When training you parrot, the "Up" command is the very first behavior you should train your bird. Whether you have a tame parrot that is just weaned or have an older, untamed parrot, the process is still important. It's a question of good manners to teach this parrot training method!

Training your bird manners and commands is, of course, easier if the parrot is tame rather than untamed. It just requires a bit more dedication and persistence when training your parrot that is not tame. You'll find it works best for untamed birds if you use a perch or wooden dowel (be sure it is not treated wood) which is reasonably long. This allows training your bird to begin without the bird being encouraged to touch your hand at first.

I suggest training your bird outside his or her cage. Sometimes that is impossible and in those cases, you can train your parrot inside its cage. It helps if the cage has a big door so you can move the dowel inside the cage easily. Of course, you should choose a dowel or perch sized properly for the species of parrot you're teaching.

The second step to watch for when training your parrot, during that very first session; simply place the perch below the bird's breast and above its feet. Say the word "Up" clearly but not loud or your parrot might be startled or scared. As you say the word, move the wooden dowel slightly forward so that your parrot will place a foot on the perch and step onto it.

Once your parrot has successfully stepped onto the perch, or even placed one foot on the perch at first, offer praise. Let your parrot know how pleased you are with love and treats. These steps should be repeated for approximately 10 minutes per session you spend training your bird. If possible, 2 parrot training sessions every day are best. It is not effective to hold one long session. If you can only train your parrot once per day, limit the session to 10 minutes.

Consistency is the key to training your bird! It is important that you do not allow your parrot to refuse to perform the behavior after it has stepped up the first time. You want your parrot to understand that this is something it must do when requested.

When training your parrot let your bird know that you will provide treats, love and attention when the bird steps up. Each time the parrot does the behavior, let it know you are pleased. Treats can be used, but never rely entirely on treats; praise is the greatest reward, especially for tame parrots.

As your parrot becomes comfortable stepping onto the perch, slowly shorten the distance from your hand to the bird. I find that when training untamed parrots, shortening the perch more than once a week can stress them and actually create a loss of the trust you've built. Progress slowly and regular training will help you and your bird accomplish your parrot training goals.

Soon, a day will arrive that you notice the distance from your hand to the bird on the perch is small. After your parrot becomes really comfortable with your hand that nearby, begin the final parrot training step - offer your hand or forearm (depending on the parrot's size) instead of the perch. Ask the parrot, by saying the UP command, to step directly onto your arm or hand.

The time required for training your parrot this behavior depends on your consistency and your parrot. If the parrot was stressed in the past or made afraid through trauma or abuse, it can take quite a long period of consistent training. If your parrot is simply learning about you and building trust, you must prove to it that you won't hurt it and the entire process for parrot training can be successfully completed quite quickly.

When training your bird that was hand-fed, you can reasonably expect the parrot training process to progress quickly. Not long ago, I brought home a baby budgie, just weaned, but not hand-fed. Within one week, he was happily performing the "up" behavior on command whenever I asked him to step up.

You can learn a lot about your bird's level of trust by watching the bird's body language training your bird includes learning to read its communications about comfort levels shown via posture, stance, and other body language elements. Parrot training is much easier if you pay attention to these clues.