Taming cockatoos can be a lot of fun; you can teach them to cuddle, play with you, or even teach them to dance, but it can take some time and some effort to get to this point. When taming a cockatoo it is important to proceed slowly, training the animal in short sessions and in a quiet place.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Socializing the Cockatoo
Step 1. Stay close to the newly arrived cockatoo by being quiet and not disturbing it
Do not try to get him out of the cage to begin training until the animal has spent at least two or three days getting used to its new environment. Keep the cockatoo in a quiet and peaceful place.
Step 2. Talk to the cockatoo from the outside while it is in the cage
You can say whatever you want, as long as your voice remains calm, without sudden changes in volume. Lower yourself down until you are level just above the cockatoo's eyes if you are taller than its cage, placing yourself in a less threatening position, but without appearing submissive. When the animal is comfortable, move your hand below its height, continuing to speak until the cockatoo calms down.
Step 3. Offer the cockatoo a good tidbit
An ear of millet is used to train cockatoos, as these birds normally go crazy for food, but you must use a food suitable for them and in small quantities. Pass it through the bars of the cage, but without letting it go directly to the muzzle. This will encourage the pet to approach you voluntarily. Stay still until the bird gives a couple of pecks, or let it peck for about five seconds when it behaves particularly well in an unexpected way.
Use the ear of millet, or the food you have chosen for prizes, as a reward only. Cockatoos may be less motivated to train if they can eat the same food without having to earn it
Step 4. Repeat this routine every day
Spend time talking to the cockatoo each day, keeping your hand steady next to him, then give him a treat if he calms down. Do not allow each session to last more than 10-15 minutes, once or twice a day, to avoid upsetting the animal. At the end of each session, have the cockatoo close to your hand before it can get the reward.
Even if juveniles are eager to play and appear relaxed, do not allow the session to last more than 15 minutes, as young cockatoos need to return to the cage to eat and rest frequently
Step 5. Try not to react if you get caught
If the cockatoo catches you, minimize your reaction. Moving away with a violent movement, shouting, or immediately ending the training session can encourage the animal to peck again. This can be difficult to avoid if you are pecked very painfully, so try to avoid pecks by first leaving the cockatoo alone when it hisses, when it lifts the crest on its head all the way, or when the crest is flattened against the head.
Wear thick gardening gloves if pecks are a recurring problem
Step 6. Never punish the cockatoo
Cockatoos cannot understand what you are doing when you try to punish them. They may have fun if you raise your voice, be happy to be put back in the cage, or otherwise react to misbehavior. Instead, focus on praising the animal when it behaves well or uses mild forms of punishment, such as ignoring it or gently pulling away what it is nibbling.
Step 7. Only pet the cockatoo if it stays calm
Many specimens will let themselves be caressed only on the crest or beak, while some do not like any kind of caress. Pat the animal gently and slowly back away if the cockatoo hisses, bites you, or flattens its crest.
Step 8. Only open the cage when the cockatoo is comfortable
When the pet gets to be comfortable with you around, he will be quiet when you approach and may even eat a treat straight from your hand. It could take weeks or months for an adult specimen not accustomed to contact with humans. Only when you have reached this stage will you be able to persuade the cockatoo to come out of the cage, although some older unsocialized specimens may not want to do so voluntarily.
Before opening the cage, make sure that all doors and windows in the room are closed and that there are no other pets in the room
Part 2 of 3: Teaching the Cockatoo to Move on Command
Step 1. Keep bringing your hand closer and closer during the training sessions
When the bird approaches you and eats from the hand, start approaching in the same way but with an empty hand, stretching two fingers horizontally. Hold your hand in this position until the animal calms down and give him a treat if he stays calm. Again, do 10-15 minute sessions, once or twice a day.
Step 2. Consider doing the sessions with a clicker
As training becomes more complex, the cockatoo may have a hard time understanding why you are rewarding it. Use a "clicker" or make a short, distinct sound by tapping a pen every time the bird behaves correctly. This grabs the animal's attention while you take the prize. When the bird is well trained, you will only be able to use the sound of the clicker or the pen as a reward, but until then, food will be a key part of the training.
A clicker or other sharp sound is preferable to a verbal command, because the sound will be identical every time and the animal is unlikely to hear it outside of training sessions
Step 3. Get the cockatoo up on your fingers
Finally, reach your hand directly up to the cockatoo's perch, or touch its leg. When you can get your hand up there without the animal fidgeting, push it gently on the chest with your finger. A gentle tap will be enough to make him lose his balance and that will cause him to step on your finger with one paw.
Step 4. Encourage this behavior
Whenever the animal starts to move, give a short command, such as "climb" or "up." Praise him and give him a reward when he does. Praise him again if he does this with both legs. Make your sessions last for a few minutes, making sure you always end positively.
The cockatoo may use its beak to test the stability of your fingers. Try not to move your hand abruptly when it touches you with its beak
Step 5. Teach the cockatoo to descend and ascend
When the animal is able to climb onto your toes on command, teach it to "step down" to another perch using the same method. Reinforce this behavior by teaching him to "go up and down", or by repeating the command "go up", switching him from left to right hand and vice versa. Train the cockatoo to do these movements every day, as long as they do it on command with no reward.
You don't need a specific command to make it go up and down. Instead, repeat the "climb" command
Part 3 of 3: Advanced Training
Step 1. Keep using the clicker to teach him new tricks
The clicker is an excellent tool for training pets. When you start teaching the cockatoo a new command, use the clicker or make a distinct sound by tapping a pen as the pet exhibits the correct behavior. Immediately after that, grab a treat and continue training every day until the cockatoo responds to the command with just the clicker as a reward.
Step 2. Teach the cockatoo to be wrapped in a towel and feel comfortable
If the animal is comfortable outside the cage, place it on a white or beige towel placed on the floor every day during the training session. Gradually lift the corners of the towel, but stop if the bird rebels. Repeat the process every day, rewarding him only when he is quiet, until you can wrap him completely in the towel. This will make it much easier for you to take the cockatoo to the vet or get it out of dangerous situations.
Step 3. Teach the cockatoo to talk
Repeat a word a few times, with animated tone and facial expression, at a time when the cockatoo is relaxed and content. If the animal looks at you and shows a reaction, such as tilting its head or dilating its pupils, it may be interested in that word. Repeat this frequently, but stop if the cockatoo gets bored. When he tries to imitate you, reward him with a good treat.
- Male cockatoos are able to make more sounds than females, as they use more complex calls to attract mates. Females can also learn to speak, but the voice may not be very clear.
- Most cockatoos can learn to speak at eight months of age, although you can try teaching them as early as four months if the bird seems interested. It can be more difficult to teach an adult dog who has not been trained to speak.
Step 4. Encourage the pet to whistle and dance
When you look at it, swing your head or clap your fingers in time to rhythmic music. When the pet starts to move back and forth, reward him with the clicker and a good tidbit. By continuing with this training and finding some music that catches his attention, he may sway more energetically and spread his wings as he does so. Similarly, whistling during these dance sessions can encourage the cockatoo to make sounds in turn.
Advice
- Train the cockatoo in a quiet place where there are just the two of you, to minimize distractions.
- Cockatoos test what attracts their interest by using their beak and tongue. If the crest is raised halfway and the beak explores rather than pinching, this is probably a sign of curiosity, not hostility.
