New bird and 2 old dogs

[ChrisHaase]

We just brought our new baby, a umbrella cockatoo. We also have 2 other children, a pug and a boxer. Both of the dogs are 5 years old. The pug could care less about the new bird but the boxer keeps smelling the cage, panting all the time, and always watching the bird no matter where she is at in the house. We have bought the new bird on sunday afternoon. Zara, our boxer, will not quit panting and pacing the living room. She is going to drive me crazy.

Does anyone have any suggestions with old dogs and new birds?

Thanks, Chris

[4HAND]

This sounds like the same type of anxiety our 10 year old labrador displays when I bring home a new bird.It will pass in time.You may also notice excessive drooling which is a sign of stress as well.Give that dog lots of extra TLC to prevent jealousy.Remember a dog's hearing is very sensetive so provide a place for Zara to retreat from the noise when your too gets loud.
Tena

[Canadian Chick]

I went through this in the summer, but my dog is a 2 year old husky. She has quite the high prey drive. We went through a few days where she wouldn't stop howling and whining at Kiwi and jumping all over the place (she even hit the cage once). She would pant and run around too, my boyfriend who wasn't thrilled about the bird in the first place was now thinking this was a REALLY good idea. Things will get better. And after a few days we were finally able to take Kiwi out when Xenia was in the house too. Then we went through the same thing again when he was on his stand. She has snapped at him a few times, cuz he snaps at her. But they can both be out and about and he will fly into another room if I leave him for too long and she will follow him as he waddles over to me, but I don't worry about her now. We are bird sitting right now and we went through the whole ordeal again, but after a day she was fine.

One thing that worked well, that I was completely against - I thought it was super mean, but we had heard it had worked for other people and we had tried the water bottle and that didn't help she just tried to catch the water after a few days of that. So we ended up resorting to a pellet gun. And my opinion of the whole thing changed. Keep in mind she has a thick husky coat so it would be different with a boxer. But we only had to shoot her twice and it instantly fixed the jumping on the cage and snapping at the bird. After that, for about 2 weeks, we just had to have the gun on hand and if she went to snap at him or was whining at him, we just had to pick it up and she would come sit down with us. And we haven't even had to keep the gun around. I would recommend trying the water bottle first, some dogs react well to that and that's all they need, others, like mine, could care less if they were hit with some water.

Good luck with your new bird and don't worry, the dogs will settle down. And I agree with Tena, give the dog LOTS of attention. I would have time set aside where I would leave Kiwi in his cage and play with my pup and other times when I would put her outside and play with Kiwi.

[ChrisHaase]

I came home yesterday to find that my dog had broken out of the room we keep her in behind a baby gate, nothing new, and she had pushed down the gate and also pushed the bird cage over about 3 - 4 feet. Also there were paw prints on the wall and blinds. BAD DOG!! So yesterday I went and bought a dog crate, which she used to be crated but a buddy has mine. I also picked up some sour smelling repellent for dogs and the guy at Pet Co suggested spraying it on a towel and laying in front of the cage. I have noticed last night and this morning before I left for work that the boxer calmed down. Hopefully it won't last too long or else I am going to go crazy.

[4HAND]

My dog is nervous about the birds,almost afraid of them.The type of agression your dog is displaying is completely different.You may need to consult someone who trains dogs for advice.In the meantime I wouldn't trust Zara anywhere near your Too.
Tena

[ChrisHaase]

I agree. Today she was better. I have noticed her much more calm. I also have been playing more with the dogs since I have almost forgotten, no attention for them for a few days.

[wildirish]

I agree with everyone else and it sounds like you are handling thinge pretty well LOL!'


I did want to ask, what type of repellant are you using, bitter lime or something. I only ask because birds are very sensative to fumes and things.

[ChrisHaase]

I wound up not using anything. I got a crate and now she(the dog) is fine and actually licks the bird. It has been 3 or 4 weeks since our new feathered friend has joined the family and the bird is able to do whatever she wants without fear of being eaten. I think it is because the bird feeds the 2 dogs. I think they made an agreement; you feed use we don't eat you!