Chirp-Chirp-Scream!

[CrazyC]

Hey folks. It's been a long time since I have posted here. However, lately I've been having a bit of an issue with my IRN Milhouse. He has been doing his loud, high-pitched chirps a lot more than usual lately. It used to be that he'd do it for a bit in the mornings after he was woken up, but now he is doing it for hours on end throughout the day, whether he's in his cage or out, alone or with me. It doesn't matter.

We moved about 2 weeks ago, and he was quiet for a few days, obviously getting used to the new place, but he's been pretty quick to adapt to everything since I've had him, and this wasn't much different. However, because of where stuff is in the new place and space, I don't have as much time to spend with him. He's in my room, and since we have a small dog, that's the only place I can only let him out. However, I don't spend as much time in there as I did in my room in the old place, so he's been getting some less time with me. Could that be part of it?

On top of that, are there any methods I can do to curb this behaviour a bit? I know birds makes noise, and I fully expect it, but this is not as much as he used to make at all. Also, I can deal with it. The 2 people I live with, however, are ready to kill either me or the bird, not sure which yet I've started to cover his cage up for 15 minutes or so when he starts to chirp, and when he gets quiet, I take it off and tell him he's good and such. Already though, he's started chirping again as soon as I take it off. Will this really help it at all?

Sorry for the long-winded post, but this is really becoming an issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[debbielabella]

My Alexandrine, will scream if she's not getting enough attention. I find even sharing 5 minutes here and there one-on-one with her where she feels she and me are alone, no birds or people, sharing food is a big hit, or taking her for a walk in my backpack, even having her on my shoulder while I do laundry, praising her the whole time. She absolutely needs to be the center of my attention even just for short periods throughout the day. Ringnecks can act so aloof and independent, but they still need reassurance that they are very special and precious to you. I'd also consider a cage for him in a room where you spend more time.

[CrazyC]

Thank you for those suggestions. I have tried moving him out where there are other people so he can be around us more, and it seems to be helping a bit, and the dog is not bothering him like I imagined he would. I will also keep working on taking some more time out of the day to just go to be with him. I'd carry him around with me if I didn't think the dog would go for him and that Milhouse might freak out.

Thank you for that!

[debbielabella]

having the bird in a cage in the same room as the dog and supervising to make sure the dog doesn't harass the bird is a good first step. Let the dog see you treating the bird as a member of the pack. Feed him and talk to him in front of the dog. Some dogs have a strong prey instinct but others can be desensitized. Hopefully you will get to the point where the dog will think nothing of you carrying your bird around with you. Obviously you can never trust unsupervised out of the cage time.

[Kathy]

Can you put the dog in your room while you socialize with Milhouse?