Trainer Mentor

When working with behavior, it’s important to always be researching and learning new methods of training. There are always multiple ways to go about working on undesirable behaviors. Not all are good, or are the most efficient, and some are just simply trial and error learning. Working with a wide range of species with different contributing factors really helps you learn different methods of training the same behavior based off of that individual bird.

But if you are not a professional with those resources and you’re just training your own birds… having those experiences and opportunities can be difficult to find. Having a professional mentor, even multiple, will help give you those resources and education passed down and taught to you so you can apply it to your own training and work. I’m not talking about a mentor that has a single bird or just a few birds with no other experiences claiming they’re a professional and can help your bird (be careful online) I’m talking about established science-based trainers and behavioralist that has worked with hundreds of birds in their careers with education, experience, certifications maybe behind their titles.

Online can be a hard place to find proper training information. I’ve seen accounts claim to post education and training and when I see it, I cringe. It works for their specific bird and situation, but me knowing from working with hundreds of bird, I know that will not correlate to other birds, and the advise will only cause behavior concerns to increase or stay stagnant, which will increase caretaker frustration leading to more rehoming or neglectful care.

Even though you’re a good trainer, having a network of professionals to bounce ideas off of and talk behavior with will always be of value, no matter where you are in your career. I have yet to meet a professional in the animal industry that doesn’t have that network.

We are always learning. We can only yeah our birds as much as we know. Broaden your horizons and accept help from others. Build that credible network and think about mentorship from a professional!