By Sarah Dugger, Good Dog & Co.

At Good Dog & Co., we love helping parrots and their humans build trust and joyful relationships through compassionate training. But before we talk about target sticks or step-up cues, there’s one important truth we always return to: every interaction is a training session—and what a bird finds reinforcing depends on so much more than treats.

To support meaningful learning and lasting behavior change, we need to begin with a foundation of excellent parrot care. That means tuning into a bird’s needs not only as an individual, but as a species, a body, and a unique history.

Here’s what needs to be in place before starting a formal training program—because for our feathered learners, good care is good training.

The Big Picture: Health, Safety, and Trust

Birds are incredibly sensitive, intelligent animals who pick up on every detail of their environment. If they’re uncomfortable, hungry, stressed, or unsure, we’re unlikely to see real learning happen—at least not the kind we’re aiming for.

So we always ask:

Is this bird feeling safe? (How do they say “yes” and “no” — how do we respond?)
Is their body nourished, healthy, and functioning well?
Do they have control, choice, and predictability in their day?

Parrot Perching: More Than Just a Place to Land

Perching isn’t just about sitting—it’s about joint health, foot care, posture, and a sense of security.

We recommend mimicking the options of a forest by providing:

A variety of perch textures (natural wood, rope, platform) both inside the enclosure and on play areas outside
Different diameters and heights to avoid repetitive strain
Secure, non-slip placements that support natural movement and comfort

Where perches are located matters too. By offering perches at different heights and in different areas of the space, you give your bird options to choose where they feel most comfortable. This flexibility allows them to regulate their own sense of safety—supporting both wellbeing and readiness to engage in training.

Diet, Behavior, and “Working Weight” in Bird Training

The food we offer—and how we offer it—shapes everything from health to motivation.

Balanced diet first. For parrots, we recommend high-quality pellets such as Harrison’s or Mazuri, paired with a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Watch behavior closely. More than the number on the scale, it’s our observations—engagement, disengagement, approach speed, beak cleaning—that tell us whether we’ve found the right balance.
Healthy weight range. A parrot who is underweight or overweight may respond differently to reinforcers, so our role is to help identify and support that healthy middle ground.

Some training programs refer to a “working weight,” but this never means restricting food in harmful or coercive ways for us. Instead, it’s about observing the bird’s natural rhythms and letting them choose how much they eat until they are full. With voluntary scale training, we can track what that healthy weight looks like over time.

If a bird’s weight rises above their typical range and they’re no longer approaching for food readily during training, we may have reached one limit.
If a bird rushes toward food with wings raised, eyes pinning, and signs of intense arousal or desperation, that may be a cue that the diet needs to be increased, not decreased.

It’s a nuanced science—one that requires sensitivity, observation, and care. As a professional bird trainer in Colorado, we provide ongoing support to help families navigate it safely.

Food Delivery: Reinforcement Done Right

Even the most desirable treat can lose value if it’s delivered in a way that feels chaotic or unsafe.

We consider:

Portion size (small enough for repetition, but satisfying)
Speed and predictability (reinforcement should come quickly, and gently, after behavior)
Delivery method (in the hand, from a dish, dropped nearby, in bird-safe enrichment—whatever works best for the individual)

Parrot Hygiene: Water and Bathing

Clean, fresh water isn’t negotiable. We recommend daily water changes—sometimes more than once a day, depending on the bird’s habits.

When it comes to bathing, we always take the least invasive approach possible. That could look like:

Letting the parrot walk into a gentle shower on their own
Offering a shallow dish for self-directed splashing
Avoiding direct misting unless we know the bird enjoys it

Spraying a parrot against their will—even with good intentions—can feel punishing or frightening. We always prioritize choice and control in parrot care.

Every Bird Has Unique Needs

No two parrots are the same, even within the same species.

Some things we consider before training:

Is the bird wild-caught, rehomed, or from a pet store?
Are their wings trimmed or intact?
Do they have a medical history or past injuries that affect comfort?
What has their relationship with humans been like so far?

As professional parrot trainers, we customize every training plan to meet the individual where they are—not just where we wish they were.

Ethical Bird Adoption

At Good Dog & Co., we advocate for ethical parrot guardianship. Unfortunately, many parrots are sold without full disclosure of their needs, and far too many are still caught in the illegal pet trade—harming wild populations and setting individual birds up for hardship and failure.

If you’re considering bringing a parrot into your life, we strongly recommend adopting from reputable rescues like:

👉 The Gabriel Foundation (Colorado)
👉 Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue (California-based, with transport options)
👉 Phoenix Landing Foundation (East Coast, education-focused)

These organizations put bird welfare first and can help match you with a companion suited to your home.

Parrot Training in Colorado and Beyond

Training isn’t just about teaching behaviors—it’s about building trust and communication. And trust always starts with thoughtful, compassionate care.

When your parrot is ready to begin training—whether it’s learning to step up, recall, voluntary nail trims & crating, or simply feel safer navigating their environment—we’re here to help. We provide customized parrot training in Colorado Springs, Central Ohio, and virtually to support families wherever they are.

📩 Reach out when you're ready. Together, we can help your parrot thrive.

Looking for guidance on parrot care or training?
We offer personalized support, step-by-step coaching, and compassionate solutions to help both birds and families succeed, starting with a virtual consultation.

Before We Train: The Bird Care Foundations That Come First