Teach Your Bird to Fetch & Play: A Vet’s 2025 Guide to Fun Parrot Games 🐦🩺

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc – avian veterinarian & founder of Ask A Vet 🩺🐾

Play isn't just fun—it promotes physical exercise, mental stimulation, and strengthens your bond 🧩. In 2025, here are engaging, vet-recommended games you can teach your bird using positive reinforcement and foundational behaviors.

1. 🎾 Fetch & Retrieve

Fetch is fun and easy with the right approach:

1. Start with an object your bird likes—soft ball, Koosh, or bauble—and a bowl or cup as the target receptacle :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
2. Place the bowl under its beak, reward it for dropping the object with “click–and–treat”. Repeat until consistent :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
3. Slowly increase distance: from perch to bowl, then table to bowl, encouraging walking or short flight :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
4. Add your cue “fetch” early; most birds learn within a few sessions :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
5. Continue refining by switching objects, moving receptacles, or encouraging full flight returns :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

Tip: If your bird loves the ball more than the game, swap toys or use a high-value treat to encourage return :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.

2. 🕺 Dance & Rhythm

Does your bird bob to music? That’s a great foundation:

1. Play music it already swings to; reward with treat or praise when it moves :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
2. After several sessions, add a verbal cue like “dance” right before the music starts.
3. Gradually fade treats—use praise or gentle head scratches while cueing behavior :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

Benefits: Boosts physical activity and emotional well-being through rhythm and routine.

3. 👋 Wave Paw (Foot Raise)

1. Observe when your bird naturally lifts a foot; reward immediately with treat and click :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
2. Build duration—expect it to hold the foot up a bit longer before rewarding.
3. Add the cue “wave” once it's consistently lifting on its own.

This trick fosters learning through shaping and boosts engagement.

4. 🔍 Hide‑and‑Seek & Staircase Dash

Perfect for very intelligent birds:

• Hide treats or toys under cups or around the room; encourage the bird to “find it.” Reward every find :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• The “Staircase Dash”: Partner climbs down with bird on top while another calls from below :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}. Great for exercise.

✅ Training Foundations

• Positive reinforcement: Reward correct responses to build trust :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Clicker or marker: Use a click to mark precise behavior before treat delivery.
• Timing: Start with tiny successes; shape complexity over time :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Session length: Keep them short — 5–10 minutes to avoid stress.
• Consistency: Reinforce with the same cue and action each time.

🧠 Why Games Matter

• Supports mental health—reduces boredom, anxiety, and unwanted behaviors.
• Encourages exercise—walking, flying, climbing, dancing.
• Strengthens bond—your bird learns to trust and perform for you.
• Enrichment—tailors to natural parrot instincts like foraging and mimicry.

📲 Ask A Vet Support

• Send videos/photos for training feedback—or timing cues better.
• Get help customizing sessions to your bird's breed, age, and attention span.
• Advice on choosing safe toys and managing pup or senior capabilities.

📋 Quick Game & Tool Table

🧡 Final Takeaways

• Training games like fetch, dance, wave, and hide‑and‑seek offer rich physical and mental stimulation.
• Use positive reinforcement, precise marking, and graduated steps starting with basics.
• Keep training fun, brief, and responsive to your bird’s mood.
• Observe signs of stress and always keep sessions positive.
• Ask A Vet is here to support your training journey with expert advice anytime.

Ready to play? Start small—teach fetch today, bring out the tunes for a dance routine, and enjoy the joy of learning together in 2025. 🐾 Download the Ask A Vet app or visit AskAVet.com for help and inspiration!