The Python AttributeError occurs when an attribute reference or assignment fails, typically due to attempting to access an attribute that a data type does not support, such as calling a method on an integer. To avoid this error, it's important to check if an attribute exists on an object before referencing it, which can be done using the Python help() function. Additionally, implementing a try-except block can help catch and handle AttributeErrors effectively, as demonstrated in an example where an integer method call is wrapped in such a block to print a custom error message. Rollbar is suggested as a tool for automating error monitoring and management, providing real-time tracking and analysis to simplify the process of fixing Python errors and enhancing deployment confidence.