Dog Training Ultimate Guide

Dog behaviorial school – when everything else fails.
10.03.2009

Generally speaking, there are two stages that an Eclectus Parrot goes through when it is growing up, and I would like to look at and comment on those two stages in this article.

The Terrible Twos ” The terrible twos for Eclectus parrots occurs between the ages of three and five months. It is during this time that they are generally naughty ” and into everything. They will essentially test the boundaries set by the breeder, the owner, or their actual parent. It is during this time that the young Eclectus parrot needs to learn who is boss (you).

It is very vital to your birds future behavior that you do not tolerate his bad behavior during the terrible twos. For example, you must make him do what it is that you want him to do, instead of allowing him to do what he wants to do during training sessions. This does not mean, however, that he should be punished. Essentially, you need to show him that you are dominant. During this period, experts advise that you should not let the bird sit on your shoulder, as this puts him above your eye level, which in his world means that he is dominant.

The next stage that you need to cope with is Puberty which your parrot will reach when they are about 9 months old. This goes on for two to three years, and during this time their emotions can be quite strong.

Of the two growing stages, this one is often the hardest for the owner to deal with, because it lasts the longest. The good news is that unless your Eclectus parrot has been demonstrating poor behavior before this period, he will grow out of it, just as most teenagers do. During this time, you may notice extreme mood swings, screaming that takes place more often, shadow boxing, and even masturbation. It is also during this time, of course, that the Eclectus parrot will start showing obvious interest in the opposite sex.

The key to getting through both of these trying times is patience ” just as though you were dealing with a human child. However, discipline really isnt suggested, since the Eclectus parrot wont understand it. Instead, encourage more appropriate behavior, and understand that your beloved bird will outgrow these awkward stages, and he will become the bird that youve grown to love once again.

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Why Proper Parrot Care Matters

Author: Corey Smart
09.03.2009

Proper parrot care starts with the selection of your bird. Unless you choose a healthy, strong parrot you will run into trouble because your bird will most likely get sick and die on you prematurely.

People who are new to parrots are unsure how to proceed at this stage; they are uncertain how to choose a breeder correctly which is the most important aspect of choosing a good bird. Parrots are protected by the law and can only be bred by a qualified parrot breeder. Unless you want to break the law intentionally, stick to a known and caring breeder when you select your bird.

Not every breeder cares for their birds and many just manhandle them in order to get the fastest sale. This is not good for any bird because it poses all sorts of problems; they are not given enough interaction; they are mishandled because many breeders cut their wings before they can fly naturally; and they are often malnourished.

If you buy your bird from a good breeder you almost guarantee a birds character and health later in his life. Mishandled birds often develop psychological issues when they reach maturity, and leave you with a hard to handle, moody pet.

A good way to find out how your breeder handles the animals is by visiting his home and seeing for yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and never feel bullied by a breeder. If he does attempt to bully you into a sale, walk and never go back there.

You need to understand that parrots need a lot of attention, consistently like many other pets. They require proper care and plenty of love from you. They also need a healthy and varied diet. Unless you are prepared to spend plenty of time with your parrot it might be better to consider another pet altogether.

Parrots require you to spend a few hours each day with them one on one. Talk to him, sing to him and stroke him to help the bird integrate into the family. Make sure he has a cage that is plenty big enough and provide parrot friendly toys for the bird to play with. The more your bird adapts to your family, the better your connection will be in the end. Healthy parrots can sometimes outlive humans.

Buy suitable parrot toys for your bird and make sure they are safe for the bird. Toys made of untreated wood are especially ideal. Parrots love to take things apart and unless you want those things to be your furniture give him plenty to play with, including your time.

Parrot care is a must if you want a strong bond between you and your bird. In return you will be given unconditional love and a new buddy for life.

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27.02.2009

Over the years, more and more Americans have decided to expand their lives by acquiring pets that essentially serve as extensions of themselves. In the past, families were traditionally seen as the ones who could responsibly own pets, especially since one

Today, the America Pet Products Association estimates that about 63% of the total number of American households are pet owners. The most popular animals chosen as pets are dogs, cats and birds especially since they are very affectionate and loyal to their owners. In turn, these pets also require an abundance of love and care.

However, such reciprocity can be quite difficult to maintain since occasions arise when owners have to leave their pets at one point in time. Such occasions include personal and work-related travels which can take them away from their pets for long periods of time. Such events cause anxiety for some owners and to a certain extent, crisis to others.

Previously, owners had no choice but seek the kindness of their neighbors to at least feed their pets or in other instances, bring their pets to a new environment where they could seek temporary shelter such as the house of a family/friend or a kennel. Most of the experiences of those who have taken these options have often been heartbreaking: either their pets weren’t cared for as expected or their pets were stressed by the new environment. The bottom line for owners: leaving their pets is as stressful for them as it is for their pets.

These days, a new pet service is being offered to American owners, one which aims to replace all the negative impacts that old options often entail. Pet sitting is a caregiving service that uniquely caters to pets and their needs. This time, owners can let their pets stay at home while being cared for by a pet sitter.

Pet sitting ensures that an assigned pet sitter equally provides the same love and care that pets are used to getting from their owners. A pet sitter that gets assigned to an owner becomes the regular sitter at all times. This process ensures that pets are accustomed to the same person, which reduces their stress every time their owners are away. Pet sitters see to it that all routines and quirks shared by owners and their pets are carried out, including eating, fun and exercise activities. Pet sitters also see to it that all tasks outside the routine are performed (e.g. medication and vet check-up).

Finally, pet sitting guarantees that only professional pet sitters provide this service. Hence, they are able to ascertain a pet’s needs which owners sometimes fail to notice (e.g. vet schedules, new and effective shots). Beyond these, sitters also make sure that an owner’s house is safe.

Stressed by leaving your adorable pet to strangers? Switch to pet sitting. You might get more than what this article has just described.

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05.02.2009

Buying a cage for your Parrot is not something you do, just off the top of your head. Finding the right Parrot cage is a very important part of the happiness and health of your large bird. Choosing the right cage will have a big impact on how happy and healthy your Parrot will be. The Parrot cage you decide to buy will depend in part on the size and breed of your bird.

Breeds that are larger will need a much larger cage bird cage then those Parrots that are smaller in size. Our recommendation is that you buy a bird cage that will at least be double the size of the bird’s wingspan. You won’t go wrong with buying a bird cage that is large and bigger than what you think you need. Most bird lovers make the mistake of buying the Parrot cage that is too small because they think they will save themselves some money. In the long run, they will spend more money because they will eventually realize that the size of the cage they bought is too small and will need to buy a new one.

Bird owners usually recommend that you buy a Parrot cage as large as you can find on the market. Some pet shops are bird shops will recommend a bird cage that are too small, because they know that you are shopping for price. Don’t fall into that bird scam. If you want your bird to be comfortable and have a comfortable environment then buy something that is bigger than what you think you will need. Knowing that you bought a large enough bird cage will give you some peace of mind.

One critical thing to think about when purchasing a Parrot cage is to make sure that the bars, on the cage, are not spread out too far apart. If the bars, on the cage, are spread too far apart, the bird can get it’s head stuck between the bars. Also, make sure that the bars, on the cage have no paint on them. Some large birds are capable of chipped the paint off and eating it. Usually stainless steal or wrought iron cages work best and are highly recommended.

What shape of Parrot Cage should you consider purchasing?

Most Parrot lovers think that the shape of the cage is for aesthetic purposes, it is not. The shape of the Parrot cage will depend on the kind of Parrot that you have. For example, if you have a small Parrot, they usually like to fly from side to side within the cage. So the length of the cage is more important than the height and needs to be a strong consideration. Larger Parrots tend to like to climb around, so having a taller bird cage would work better for them.

Lastly, make sure you buy a Parrot cage that is easy to clean and has a slide out tray underneath. This will allow you to change and clean the cage at least twice a week and it won’t be a hassle. A clean bird cage will leave you a happier and healthier Parrot couple.

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A Healthy Eclectus Parrot

Author: John Savage
21.01.2009

If you own an Eclectus parrot you will find that from time to time your pet, for one reason or another, is not feeling perfectly well. It is a good idea to know the signs of a healthy bird so that in turn you will be able to tell when they are not so healthy.

The sign of a healthy parrot is that they are lively, sociable and alert, but if your bird is not showing these traits it is most likely that he is feeling unwell. If he seems in any way to be behaving differently, then this is a warning sign that he might be in pain, and needing urgent attention.

To tell if your Eclectus is healthy you need to look at its eyes and nose. There should be a dry nose and bright eyes, but if the nose is runny or the eyes are moist or watery then that is an unhealthy sign.

A healthy Eclectus parrot eats and drinks well. Pay attention to your Eclectus parrot. He should have a very healthy appetite. It is wise to remember that an Eclectus parrot is prone to becoming overweight, simply because he enjoys eating. Therefore, if he isn’t eating, there is a problem.

Keep a regular check on your parrots vent, which is located just under the tail feathers. It should be clean and dry, but if for any reason you discover that it is not clean and dry, then this could indicate a problem and a visit to the vet’s is recommended.

One indication that your Eclectus is healthy is that he will regularly groom himself. He should have nice smooth feathers and a generally smooth appearance, not ruffled. If his feathers do look a bit disheveled, or if the feathers just do not look particularly healthy, then you should consider a visit to the vet’s.

The last thing that you need to look at on a daily basis is your parrots beak, feet and legs. Check that they are not dry or cracked and while you are doing that keep a watch on your parrots nails. If they are too long then can can be quite uncomfortable, so when needed, do clip them.

Now let me just say that most of the health issues that your parrot might develop are brought about because of a diet which might not be quite right. If you can make sure that your Eclectus is getting all the nutrients and minerals that he needs, then any health problem should correct itself.

This does not mean, however, that you shouldn’t take your Eclectus parrot to the veterinarian, for a proper diagnosis. If you fail to do this, you could be cutting the life of your beloved feathered friend short. Again, know what the signs of a healthy bird are, so that you can easily and quickly notice if there is a potential health problem.

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