In paperback at last — the definitive guide to parrot training.

Originally published as The Pleasure of Their Company: An Owner's Guide to Parrot Training, this amply illustrated book is just what parrot owners need to bring up happy, well-behaved pets. You get:

• Hands-on advice from one of the nation's foremost parrot authorities
• A thorough explanation of "normal" parrot behavior and the benefits of training
• Coverage of everything from gentling fledglings and basic obedience to potty training, speech, and tricks"

Average Customer Review: ( 21 customer reviews )
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i've taught my conure to wait patiently on his perch if he wants to be taken out of the cage. in this way, he doesn't ruin his tail feathers. i have also taught him how to do the "eagle", where he spreads his wings when i say the word "eagle". he also has learned to fetch crumpled paper towels. i throw the paper ball a few feet away. he runs to get it and comes back to return it. my wife and i really crack up about that trick.

anyway, my point is that i highly recommend this book.

40 of 43 found the following review helpful:

Covers the basics very wellAug 20, 2004
By Double D "diamondwood"
I'm going to give this book 5 stars, because I really like it--BUT-- like everything else I've read, I think it really glosses over a problem that I have, and no doubt others have. My bird is just not warm. I mean he doesn't need any humans for anything, so training him is going to take me YEARS. He trys to bite my hands any time he sees them, even if I'm 2 feet away. This book just gives lip service to this problem (and advises not to buy from a pet store- not always an option). I just wish some of these experts would listen to their own advice (she admits over and over how individual each bird's personality is), and cover some of the worst personality problems.

Having said that, I have no other complaints. It's a good read, reinforcing many of the little things you eventually find out as a bird "owner". I especially recommend this book for those who think they want a parrot. Please read this front to back first. It actually gets a lot of the impending headaches (and heartaches) out in the open. So when problems (other than mine) do come up, you will be well-armed. I learned how to towel a bird after 25 years, and the first time, my cockatiel turned into a little nursling. I would never have thought it would work, but it went great, and now I can at least grooom his feathers and nails when needed.

So if your on your fist avian adventure, get this now. If your an old salt, you could find something useful, but I know you will like all the anecdotes, at the very least.

16 of 16 found the following review helpful:

AMAZING BUY !!!!!Oct 08, 2003
By Sonia Matte "Book Addict"
This book is amazing, it talks about parrot behaviour, how to treat your bird, second hand pet parrot problems and how to fix them, gives you amazing training techniques to teach basics (like up command, potty training), how to train your bird to talk,(mimicry, cognitive speach and how to teach them to talk in contexte) It tell you how to train your pet bird to do tricks such as playing dead, shaking hand, noghting yes and no, kissing, and much more. I have a budgie and this book really is for parrots and parakeets of any size.

25 of 28 found the following review helpful:

BEWARE OF SAME BOOK DIFFERENT TITLEAug 05, 2003

I have not read the book yet so, my rating of the contents page is average so far. I wanted everyone to know that this book is a reprint of the book by the same author titled "The Pleasures of Their Company: An Owner's Guide to Parrot Training [Hardcover]. Don't make the same mistake I made and order both. Some sellers will not allow a return or exchange and they don't return your emails. Buyers beware.

24 of 27 found the following review helpful:

Who knew?Mar 18, 2002

This book was very helpful in getting me started in training a baby bird. I didn't know that in the first week I had him he was cleverly taking control of the situation, walking all over me and pulling tough- guy tricks. I agree with the author that a well trained bird is really a beautiful thing for everyone involved. I'd recommend this book to anyone with a baby bird or one that is just new to them The book covers both in detail. Cute illustrations and fun tricks at the end. The birdie roll- over is coming along nicely.

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