The Parrot Problem Solver [Hardcover]

Barbara Heidenreich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2005

When not properly trained and socialized, parrots are prone to developing a number of behavioral problems, including aggression and self-mutilation. Many owners face these problems and need guidance on solving them. Barbara Heidenreich arms her readers with the information they need to turn their pugilistic parrot into a feathered friend. Some of the topics include: -Wild bird behavior and how it affects the bird/owner relationship -The best and worst ways to modify pet bird behavior -Understanding bird body language -Sidebars on the myths and misconceptions of keeping pet parrots.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barbara Heidenreich is a professional animal trainer and founder of Animal Training and Consulting Services, which provides animal training workshops to zoos and other wildlife facilities. She has written and lectured extensively on the training of parrots. Heidenreich is the president elect of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Tfh Pubns Inc (June 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793805627
• ISBN-13: 978-0793805624
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,858 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Birds

More About the Author

Barbara has been a professional in the field of animal training since 1990.
She owns Good Bird Inc. (www.GoodBirdInc.com), a company that provides behavior and training products to the companion parrot community. These products include Good Bird Magazine, books, videos and training/behavior workshops. Barbara has provided behavior workshops and/or animal training presentations at the Association of Avian Veterinarians conference, The American Federation of Aviculture conference, The International Parrot Conference at Loro Parque, Parrot Festival, The International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators conference, American Association of Zoo Keepers conference, Association of Zoos and Aquariums conference, The Parrot Society of Australia conference and many more. She is a past president of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (www.IAATE.org) and served on the Board of Directors from 1997-2009. Her expertise has been enlisted by the US Dept. of Agriculture, Fish and Wildlife Service and numerous international professional organizations.

She is the author of "Good Bird! A Guide to Solving Behavior Problems in Companion Parrots" by Avian Publications and also "The Parrot Problem Solver. Finding Solutions to Aggressive Behavior" by TFH Publications. She is also the producer of the Good Bird Parrot Behavior and Training DVD series and Publisher of Good Bird Magazine.

Barbara's experience also includes consulting on animal training in zoos and other animal-related facilities. She has been a part of the development and production of more than 15 different free flight education programs and has worked with 20 different animal facilities. Barbara continues to provide consulting services to zoos, nature centers and other animal facilities through her other company Animal Training and Consulting Services. In her career she has trained animals, trained staff and/or presented shows at facilities around the world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource., January 29, 2007

By 

DST (Kea'au, Hawaii) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Parrot Problem Solver (Hardcover)

I'm repeating my review of Ms. Heidenreich's other book, Good Bird! because I think both books work together as one great resource. They are the best books I've come across dealing with companion parrots. If you understood why your bird is behaving as it does, you can deal with it more effectively. Kindness and reward go far with a companion bird (and, even though Ms. Heidenreich didn't mention it, 11-12 hours of covered cage/darkness a day does, too) than all the reprimanding in the world (which a parrot does not understand). A parrot, much like a cat, is not going to do anything he doesn't want to do, but unlike a cat, you can convince a parrot to want what you want, too. Tell him he's a good bird when he's quiet. Give him a reward when he says something nice. Understand you are his teacher, not his mate and not his slave. Punish him by turning your back, reward him by giving attention and praise. Parrots are a lot like toddlers - they need to be constantly taught how to be good and their companions need to be able to recognize the behaviors (sometimes extremely hard to see) that signal overexcitement, frustration and anger. Excellent book I'd recommend to any bird "owner."

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, September 28, 2006

By 

Mavis Metcalf "http://birds.bellaonline.com" (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Parrot Problem Solver (Hardcover)

Barbara Heidenreich has written this book to help the rest of us understand a little more about our companions and to figure out how to solve some of the problems that may develop between you and your very intelligent pet.

She explains how and why negative reinforcement is not as successful as positive reinforcement in changing an undesired behaviour.

Because our birds are not far removed from parrots in the wild, Barbara has included a chapter on parrot behavior in the wild.

She has included chapters on aggression and reading a bird's body language and explains how excitement can sometimes turn into aggression as well as what to watch for to avoid a possible bite.

Tools and Techniques to Address Problems with Aggression gives several examples of what you can do in certain circumstances to work through problems.

If you are having a problem with your parrot, this book by Barbara Heidenreich should give you some great advice to be able to get back the companion bird that you love. Just remember that everything takes time and solving problems takes more time than preventing them in the first place. If you don't have problems with your parrot, this book may give you enough advice and ideas to avoid some common problems.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not about "parrot problem solving"; worth a read otherwise, October 27, 2007

By 

WyrdByrd (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Parrot Problem Solver (Hardcover)

I have 3 adopted Umbrella cockatoos and an African grey and was looking for some advice on dealing with behavior problems. I agree with her philosophy but was really looking for the PROBLEM SOLVER(!) part of the book. The book is not organized well and digresses plenty (to other species, etc.) You have to read to the end to actually find some "problem solving" techniques and by then I was frustrated with it. I am still considering buying one of her DVDs as realize she is knowledgeable on parrot behavior. However, this book needs a new title. Worth reading overall but doesn't really give much practical advice on solving behavior problems. For example, here's a good suggestion (not hers) -- Wrap your arm in "Ace bandages" and wear a long-sleeve shirt (to hide the wrap) for biting parrots. I do not have high pain tolerance and am tired of advice suggesting you "take the bites". I can't. Meanwhile I was afraid to handle one of my biting birds...that is, until I protected my arms. Now I can actually work with this bird and since the biting does not get a response from me, and I'm not fearful and expecting a bite, the bird is no longer doing it. Gee, a simple solution! THAT'S the kind of advice I was looking for! But I need more practical problem solving advice. So I'm still looking...!