Thinking of getting a bird. Have a question.

[BobNY]

Hi,
I am new to the board. Tonight I went to my local Petco to pick up some food for my saltwater fish. I made the mistake of wandering over to the bird section. I have always wanted a African Grey. Although they didnt have any Grey's there, looking at the birds they did have reminded me of how much I would love to have one. They did have some Sun Conures which were beautiful, and seemed very friendly. I'm not sure I am thrilled with how loud they are reported to be.
So I have spent the night reading, and fueling my now need to get a parrot.
Before I do decide to get one I would love some advise from expirienced bird keepers.
With all my pets I do all I can to try to give them the best environment to live a happy and heathly life. There wont be any shortage of love and attention here as we all (Wife, daughter, and myself) are animal lovers and do all we can to spend time playing with the pets we have now. One of the pets we have now is a 11 year old Yellow lab who is every bit as hyper today as she was when we got her as a pup. That where I think I may have a problem. I am afraid that the dog may hassle the bird. If that happens we would be forced to move the bird into a room that the dog wouldn't have access to. We would of course be in the room as much as we could to spend time with the bird, but it wouldn't be a room that has regular traffic like a family room would. How much of a problem would that be if the bird was in a room that ist the main hub for the family? It would receive lot's of attention, and be taken out to play regularly, but it wouldn't always be in a room that would make it seem like part of the family.
We did have a guinea pig for a few years. The dog did give it some hell in the begining, but soon lost interest and left it alone. I hope that the same would happen with a bird, and it could be kept in the family room.
Sorry for the long post. I just want to make sure if we do get a bird we will be able to provide it with a great life. Giving it all it wants and needs. If we are unable to do that I wouldn't get one.

Thanks,
Bob

[CALVINS MOM]

I always tell folks with other pets to use common sense caution. Remember that the dog can destroy the bird in one bite - not meaning to do so, but possibly thinking it is playing. Keeping the bird in a room not accessible to the dog is probably a smart move. I truly believe that birds should be brought out of their cages anyway and onto a stand in a different area so that it feels like it is truly "out." I am not a fan of playtop cages. That having been said, as long as you give the bird lots of love and attention, I see no reason why you couldn't have it in a location that is not in the main "hub". But, I must stress, it must have LOTS of love and attention. I often wonder if the family room, where the TV may be on late, is even the best location since the birds do not necessarily get their proper rest.

Do your homework, and you can ask questions here. There are so many knowledgeable people on this board.

Make sure it is a reputable store or breeder from which you purchase your bird.

Oh, and WELCOME TO BIRDBOARD!! Best of luck in your search!

[Belinda]

Before you get a birdie - of any size - be sure you can afford cage, food, vet bills, toys, etc...they get expensive, even the midgety ones like budgies, lol.

With the dog, we have 2 dogs here. My mums yellow lab, Buffy, and my jack russell terrier, Mickey. Both are breeds with reputations of being bad with birds (labs are retrieving dogs so fetching birds is pretty much an instinct, terriers...well, they chase anything and everything) but both are great with mine. Mickey was the only dog in the family when Blinks became an indoor budgie but as Blinkie was only a couple of weeks old i socialised them and now they can both be out without bother, because of the socialising between Blink and Mickey he's pretty much the same with my other indoor birds (though if a new colour/size comes along it takes a couple of firm "no"s to just remind him that my birds are not feathered meals).

I wouldn't say their friends but i would say that Mickey won't hurt Blinkie...can't say the same for Blinkie - swooping rat bag won't leave Migs alone!

Buffy was a bit different, she'd never been around birds when we got her and she was FASCINATED with them! For the longest time i had to have the birds out when Buffy wasn't around or i had to be in a different room. In the cage it was fine so i doubt you will have to keep the bird in a different room - just be consistant from the word go that your dog is not to touch the bird cage. Now Buffy is scared of the birds - more than Mickey. When we got her we taught her that if she looked at the birds she got in trouble and the very instant she looked away she was praised and rewarded. Now the budgies can walk up and sit on her paw, she will look away until i come to save her and then she'll bolt into mums room and hide. :P I recommend this method of training, it worked so well for us.

[Machelle]

First of all I want to welcome you to BB! You have definitely come to the right place and have definitely made a great start by researching first.

Birds are extremely social animals and they need to be around their flock as much as possible. I have my birds in the living room with me so they are in traffic areas. However, there are people here who do have seperate rooms for their fids and bring them out into the areas where they are so they do feel like part of the flock. I'm not sure about having them in a seperate room and spending time with the bid in that room. I'm not sure that would be the best idea but that is just my opinion. If your dog got used to the guinea pig, I'm sure he would eventually leave the bird alone, however, depending on what kind of bird you were thinking of getting, and the personality of the bird, that could prove to be something that might make the bird a little neurotic. I'm not saying that it will definitely happen, just that its a possibility so you have to think about that as well. I have dogs and cats and they pretty much ignore the birds unless the birds fly off of their cages. WE dont let the birds out unless they are supervised because as much as I adore my dogs and cats, I dont trust them. I hope someone can give you some better advice than I can. I think if you chose the right bird, the issues will be minimal but its definitely a commitment that requires alot of thought.

[Sally]

Welcome. Good to learn before getting a bird. You are on the right track! My little Shih Tzu loves my Parrotlet. They usually do not pay a lot of attention to each other. Trudy is very calm and good to all pets. I would never leave them alone together of course.

You just have to watch pets or kids and pets together. Just common sence. Parrots are a wonderful, intersting and fun pet. The toys and behaviors, personalities etc. are so great!!!

Just learn about the right bird, get the right cage, food, toys etc. They need lots of good, fresh food and lots of toys. A good avian vet also. Glad to have you here!

[BobNY]

Thank you all so much for the info.
We talked about it quite a bit tonight and it looks like we are going to ge a bird. We are leaning toward a African Grey so far. My daughter and I spent some time watching some video's that one of the forum members has of there bird Oliver. She fell in love. Which of coarse makes me happy as I have wanted a African Grey since I was a kid. There is however still alot of reading and learning to do before a decision is made.
Thanky you all again!

[RingneckedPrincess]

Welcome welcome welcome! This is one of the best places to get info of fids!

Parrots are wonderfully messy and noisey but I wouldn't have it any other way! My life has been enriched by my flock. Congrats on your decision and do let us know what you decide. Ask questions and you'll get great answers.

Post often...and when you find YOUR fid...post pics!

Dani

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

Welcome to BB. Good for you for doing research first. I agree with the others about the dog. I have 6 Chihuahua's & they are pretty good with the birds but I would never trust them alone. For the most part they just follow them around. If the dogs try to play with them, I tell the dogs NO, they listen. I'm more worried about Romeo hurting the dogs, then the dogs hurting him. He's bigger the dogs. lol Bonita on the other hand is smaller but is on my shoulder when she's out so I dont' have to worry about her. She won't stay on a playgym. She's a brat. Good luck with whatever baby you choose. Crystal