Parrot and dog: Do you want to have a parrot and a dog live together in your home? Are you afraid that they will argue? Or worse yet, that they get hurt?
Do not panic! We are experts in exotic birds and have researched the subject for you.
Dogs and parrots can live with each other, and a harmonious relationship between these two animals is possible.
In this article you will discover:
- The steps to follow for a successful cohabitation
- The keys to developing a healthy relationship
- Additional advice
- Which breed of parrot to adopt to facilitate the process
By reading this article, you will be able to make these two magnificent creatures coexist in the best possible way.
Best Of Funny Parrots Annoying Dogs Compilation
SOURCE:mihaifrancu
Prerequisites for a Successful Cohabitation
The key to developing a healthy relationship between your parrot and your dog is to be aware of each other’s basic instincts. You must be prepared to devote a little time to the mental and behavioral training of the two animals.
To develop this ability to cohabit, you will need 3 things:
- a) Will
- b) A total belief in the success of the process
- c) A mentally healthy dog
Small clarification on this last point. It will be very difficult to bring together a dog that has been beaten or abused in the past. Indeed, it could become aggressive and attack the parrot if it feels threatened.
Training your parrot pet and your dog to live together is a process that takes dedication and time on your part. It is a unique process that requires strict monitoring at all times. Both animals need time to adjust to their new life partner, and both will do so over a longer or shorter period.
You must be prepared to be present during this process and can never leave the parrot and the dog alone together.
Cohabitation between Parrot and Dog
Comparison between the two Animals
Dogs and parrots are sensitive creatures that observe their surroundings very carefully. So you need to make sure that you meet the needs of both animals in the same way.
Putting the needs of one pet ahead of the other can create jealousy (yes, canines and birds can be jealous). This can lead to animosity towards each other which can lead to disaster. And at the same time an environment where cohabitation would be very difficult.
For the dog
Remember that his natural instinct is to attack animals smaller than themselves. They have long been trained to keep and hunt animals. Hunting for small animals like birds has been part of their evolution. So when you first introduce your dog to your parrot, you should assume that his first instinct will be to attack.
Cohabitation between Parrot and Dog
For the parrot
On the other hand, your parrot has a natural instinct to “get away” from the dog. In the wild, the parrots are constantly aware of their surroundings. Because they are often the prey of larger animals. While dogs are generally not a worrying predator for parrots, their size may be enough to convince the parrot otherwise. During presentations, it will therefore be your parrot’s first instinct to try to fly away. If its wings are cut, it will use all means necessary to escape. If the bird feels extremely threatened, it can also attack.
The key to developing a good relationship is therefore to show them that their initial instinct is not necessarily the right one. This means teaching your dog that your parrot is not prey and your parrot is not a threat.
Presentations are therefore essential to develop a good relationship between these two animals. But maintaining a comfortable environment in which both subjects feel safe will be just as vital for successful cohabitation.
Annoyed Parrot Tells Dog Off For Barking Too Much
SOURCE:Caters Clips
How to Introduce Your Dog to Your Parrot
Here are the steps to follow to introduce your dog to your parrot:
- Remember, your dog’s natural instinct is to attack your parrot. It might not happen, but in this case, you want to make sure that your parrot is protected. Before any presentation, make sure you have a large cage where your parrot can feel safe.
- Put your parrot in its cage, and your dog on a leash.
- Choose a neutral zone for the introduction. Dogs and parrots can be very territorial. So the presentations should not take place in the space of the other. For the parrot, find a space where its cage is not normally located. For the dog, choose a place where he does not spend a lot of time. This will help reduce the chances of aggressive behavior.
- Slowly introduce your dog and bird. Remember that at the time of the first introduction, your bird must be in its cage and your dog must be kept on a leash. At this point, you will start the remote presentations.
Bring the dog and bird close enough that they can see each other. However, stay far enough away that they aren’t in close contact. If your parrot or dog starts to get scared or excited, you are too close. Move them away and start again from further away. - Once your parrot and dog seem comfortable with each other from a distance (no barking, yelling, wing flapping, etc.), you can start to bring them a little closer.
Then again, if your dog starts to get excited or your parrot starts to get scared, you are too close. So step back and wait for him to feel comfortable at a greater distance.
Keep in mind that the introductory process between your dog and your parrot will not happen overnight. It can sometimes take several weeks before the two are completely comfortable with the other’s presence. The key is to be patient and persistent. It may take a while, but eventually, you will get to a point where they can coexist in a tight space without excitement or fear. In other words, they will eventually get used to the other’s presence.
At this point, you can try to get them used to the parrot out of the cage (at a distance at first, then slowly approaching), and then finish with the dog off-leash.
We recommend here that once you start to get your parrot out of its cage, you use a safety harness. It will allow you to keep some control in the event of a problem.
Parrot and Dog are Best Friends
SOURCE:Adventures of Roku
Additional Tips for a Healthy Relationship:
Always observe the reactions of your pets. If any of them seem upset, you should immediately move them away. If you don’t, your parrot might be afraid of your dog rather than feeling comfortable around him.
Never let your dog interact with your parrot while you are away. Any introduction should be done under your supervision. This is true even when your dog and parrot are comfortable with each other. As soon as you leave, the dog might come back to his natural instincts. Thus endangering the safety of your parrot.
Plan plenty of treats throughout the introductory process. Dogs and parrots are easily distracted and carried away by small rewards. Whenever you recognize positive behaviors (for example, a dog sitting calmly in the presence of a parrot, or a parrot showing no reaction to the dog’s presence), reward them with a treat. This will condition them to continue to react in the same way in the future.
Cohabitation between Parrot and Dog
Related Questions:
Which parrots are the most dog friendly?
If you are looking for a parrot that is likely to behave well with other animals, a finch might be a good option. They are small, calm, and quiet in nature, and the likelihood of them biting or attacking is low.
Other varieties of sympathetic parrots are Pionus parrots, female parakeets, thick-billed parrots, and brown-fronted parrots.
Which parrots are most likely to bite?
The macaw’s hyacinth, although considered mild in some circles, has a large and intimidating beak making their terrible bite. When not raised in a suitable social environment, this type of parrot is known to attack frequently.
Other species, such as the green-winged macaw, can also kick behind their bite. Among the small parrots that bite are parakeets and cockatiels.
Cohabitation between Parrot and Dog
Facilitate Cohabitation with your Parrot
As you can see, bringing your parrot and your dog together requires perseverance. But by using the above techniques and arming yourself with patience you will succeed.
Thanks to this article, you are now able to make your feathered friend and your furball live together.
To make it easier for your parrot to learn, we offer perches on which your feather duster can feel comfortable. Our mobile perch is for example very useful for the last stage when your bird is outside the cage.
Cohabitation between Parrot and Dog
Discover our collection of perches by clicking on the image below.
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