Potty training birds.

[JSimko]

All four of the birds I live with are trained to use the garbage can and will also go on command. Has anyone else tried this with their birds?

[Jenny]

Wow- how lucky are you! The only one of my birds that is semi-potty trained is my green-cheeked conure. He's learned that when I come to get him out, I expect him to go over his papers before taking him around the house with me, so now many times when he sees me coming to open his cage, he stops what he's doing and goes! He also never goes on me. Every time he's on me, he'll crawl down off of me when he needs to go. Other than that he's not exactly trained as in going in one spot, but I've learned all his "signs" and can usually get him over somewhere "safe" in time! Whenever people are over and I quickly get up and say "He has to go to the bathroom now" everyone wonders how I can tell! To me the signs are obvious, but I guess not to other people! My other conure isn't trained but I don't feel the need to train him, and the budgies always stay on the cages or climbing tree, which have newspaper covering the area. The lovebird isn't trained either, but it hasn't been a problem.

[Mrs.Birdy]

I read an article about the perils of training your bird to "poop" on command. It was about two birds who were trained to do this and when their owner left them to board with someone outside of the family, the birds wouldn't poop on their own or for the sitter.

To make a long story short....they ended up at the vets office and one of the birds died:eek:

Not saying that this will happen to your birds, but why don't you try having someone outside your family command your birds and see if it works.

This is just a friendly suggestion.

[birdygirl]

i've heard of that as well.

[JSimko]

Our birds still go in their cages, however when they are out with us they go in the can.

[Mrs.Birdy]

Well then, they should be ok. I wish mine would poop in a can. My tiel and budgies are always pooping here and there and we're constantly cleaning up when they're out of the cage. My pionus is a little more courteous, lol. He mainly poops in his cage or on perch stand and has an occasional "accident" when on our shoulders. Baby wipes are always kept handy.

I love them unconditionally !!!!

[JSimko]

Yes, the attachment to birds in my family is very strong. I think that is because they are so smart, their almost human. Who ever thought that a pet would actually have a sense of humor. Our green cheek and b/g maccaw laugh when something funny happens even if we don't laugh.

[birdygirl]

My pi loves to poop on me but not on guests or her friends.

[Redstorm1721]

As you all know, and have replyed to me,My Sunni goes on her papers before I take her out of her cage. I just say go poop, and she does. She has never pooped on me, and I always can tell when she has to go, if she is on someone else. I take her to her paper and she goes. She also always goes on her own. So please don't tell me all the bad things about how they can die etc! Because that hurt me before. I am not scared she will die, she always goes on her own in her cage, and doesn't need me to tell her. Anyway I am training my others to do the same. Pearl,never poops on me. It helps with lots of messes. Also Sunni shakes hands with me,she lifts her foot and gives me a shake, each time we are together. Its really cute.Becides all the kisses she also goes under my chin and it seems like a hug. I also love my birds!!!!1

[Mrs.Birdy]

I don't think I or anyone else here is trying to hurt you. I was just letting jsimko know what I read for his own edification.

We all know you are a good birdie mommy:)

[JSimko]

The only problem is that my green cheek knows that it is dirty to poop on someone, so if he does not like someone or gets angry about something he will poop on someone. I know that it is no accident, because even if he just went he will squeese and squeese until something comes out.

[Redstorm1721]

Oh I understand Roseanne. I wasen't refering to that. It was a while ago when someone mentioned that my bird could die,if I am the only one to tell her to poop. No problem,I was just catching it before someone was to say it again. Okay I hope that made sence? Gail