Positive Parrot Training Retreat 

The Positive Parrot Training Retreat at Cockatoo Downs is a practical basic to moderate training skills event open to anyone interested in training companion parrots. The Retreat is four days of instruction and enjoyment focusing on teaching the fundamentals of positive reinforcement training for companion parrots. The goal of the Retreat is to help you foster a positive emotional and practical relationship with your bird. We will concentrate on changing problem situations that arise with your companion parrot in your home environment. Through the support of our excellent teaching staff and by offering hands-on training, you will acquire the foundation needed to experience training success with your own bird.

Our training staff is Barbara Heidenreich, goodbirdinc.com; Chris Shank of Cockatoo Downs; Pamela Clark, pamelaclarkonline.com, parrot behavior consultant and CVT; Kelly Ballance, ballancebehavior.com

As the Retreat is centered on training companion parrots you have the option of bringing your own bird to train. There are facilities at Cockatoo Downs to house your parrot day and night during the course of the Retreat. As a participant you will be training your own bird, as well as the resident parrots and cockatoos at Cockatoo Downs, and chickens. Yes, chickens! During the course of the Retreat you will learn the fundamentals of clicker training and chickens are excellent students on which to practice your clicker training skills.

You will learn and experience at the Retreat:

• A practical knowledge of positive reinforcement training techniques
• Changing problem behaviors of the companion parrot
• Fundamentals and skills of clicker training
• Hands-on training of a variety of birds
• Lectures, video, live demonstrations, written materials
• Interaction with the free flying resident cockatoos
• Fun and camaraderie

2012 Positive Parrot Training Retreat