Training
Training a cockatoo is all about trust and fun. There should never ever be any form of physical punishment. It's all positive reinforcement. My recommendation is for clicker training. I have links to a good site or two about it in my contacts.
Why Train?
Training, other than it's obvious motive, also has the side benefits of curbing nasty habits, occupying and entertaining your feathered amigo, and generally giving both 'too and owner something to feel good and proud about. Not to mention that anything a cockatoo can do with its human is worth it's weight in birdseed to a 'too! It's healthy, fun, and good exercise for mind and body.
There are many ways to train a cockatoo, so you'll have to do some research and see what works for you and your 'too.
Things that should be trained:
*To step up on command (You can try for down, too, but we're talking about velcro birds, here!)
*No (This can be hard, we're very stubborn, but it's important. Could even save a 'toos life)
*Quiet (Again, we're talking 'toos, so good luck.)
*To stay on a perch or the cage instead of inviting themselves over.
*Biting is not acceptable and will not get you what you want
*A cockatoo is not a 24/7 shoulder ornament, that sometimes you must entertain yourself in your cage or on a perch
Training Tools:
*Treats- Hey, we'll work for food!
*Height Advantage- This can be used to rightfully put a cockatoo in it's place and let it know who's who.
All this is done by positively rewarding correct behavior and being very careful not to reward negative, such as petting the 'too on it's stand, but if it jumps off it is simply placed back on with no attention, no cuddles, no nothin.