Hi there! If you’re here, chances are you have a new dog and a pet bird or birds, and you’re looking for advice on how to get them to get along.
Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how to introduce and train your dog to get along with your pet birds, as well as some mistakes to avoid.
So let’s get started!
Can Birds And Dogs Live Together Peacefully?
It’s no secret that dogs and birds don’t always get along.
While there are some dogs who are content to live peacefully alongside their avian friends, there are others who see birds as nothing more than prey.
If you’re hoping to have a dog and a bird in your home, it’s important to take the time to introduce them properly. With a little patience and understanding, you can help your dog and bird live together peacefully.
How To Introduce A Dog To Birds
Introducing a new dog to your pet birds can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be!
With a little preparation and caution, you can introduce your feathered friends to their new furry friends in a way that will keep everyone safe and happy.
Here are some tips on how to introduce a new dog to your pet birds:
Keep Your Birds In Separate Room At First
Keep your birds in a separate room at first, with the door closed, so they can get used to the dog’s scent without being directly in its presence.
Let Your Dog Meet Your Birds From A Distance
Next keep your birds in a safe place, like their cage or aviary and allow your dog to sniff around the room from a distance, so it can become familiar with their smell.
A gate or barrier should keep the dog from getting to the cages.
Allow Your Dog To Visit The Birds In Their Cage
After the initial meeting, if the dog is calm and not excitable let the dog go near the bird cages and give your dog and your bird some time to get used to each other.
Gradually increase the amount of time they spend together.
Keeping Your Birds Happy & Safe With A New Dog
There are a few things you can do to make sure your pet birds are happy when there is a new dog in the house.
First, make sure the bird has a safe place to perch or nest. This could be a high shelf, play-stand, perches, a large bird cage, or even a room the dog is not allowed in.
Second, provide the bird with plenty of toys and activities to keep it entertained and distracted from the dog.
Third, make sure the bird continues to get a reliable source of food and water. Special snacks like their favorite fruits, veggies or nuts would help too.
Fourth, keep an eye on the bird and the dog to make sure they are getting along and not bothering each other.
If you see any signs of stress or aggression, separate the two immediately.
How To Train A Dog To Leave Your Birds Alone
It can be difficult to train a dog to leave pet birds alone, especially if the dog is used to being around birds. However, it is possible to train a dog to respect the space of pet birds and to leave them alone.
Here are some tips on how to train a dog to leave your pet birds alone:
- Establish a clear boundary between the area where the birds are kept and the rest of the house. This can be done by using a physical barrier such as a baby gate, or by using visual cues such as placing bird toys or food in the area where the birds are kept.
- Teach your dog that the birds are off limits. This can be done by consistently telling the dog “no” or “leave it” when he or she approaches the area where the birds are kept. You may also need to use negative reinforcement such as squirting the dog with water or saying “ouch” in a loud voice when he or she gets too close to the birds.
- Reward your dog for leaving the birds alone. This can be done by giving the dog a treat or toy when he or she leaves the area where the birds are kept.
- Be consistent with your commands and rewards. In order for this training to be effective, you must be consistent in your commands and rewards. If you only sometimes tell the dog to leave the birds alone, he or she will not learn the behavior.
- Be patient. Training a dog to respect the space of pet birds can take time and patience. Do not get discouraged if the dog does not immediately learn the behavior. With consistent training, your dog will eventually learn to leave the birds alone.
Let Birds Out Of Cage With Your Dog On Leash
Eventually allow your birds to come out of their cage or aviary in short bursts, supervised by you.
It’s important to keep your dog on a leash or in their crate when birds are out of their cage. This is to ensure the safety of both your dog and the birds.
Birds are delicate creatures and can easily be injured by a curious or playful dog. Additionally, dogs can be carriers of diseases that can be harmful to birds.
By keeping your dog away from the birds, you can help prevent any accidents or illnesses.
Always Supervise When Birds Are Out
It’s important to always supervise your dog and birds when the birds are out of their cage. This is to ensure the safety of both your dog and your birds.
Dogs can be curious and may try to play with the birds, which can lead to the birds getting hurt.
In addition, birds can be startled easily and may fly into objects, which could also hurt them.
Praise Your Dog For Good Behavior Around The Birds
When your dog is good around your pet birds, it’s important to give praise so they know they’re doing the right thing. Dogs are social creatures and crave approval from their owners, so letting them know they’re behaving well is a great way to reinforce the behavior. There are a few different ways you can go about praising your dog for good behavior around your pet birds.
One way is to use verbal praise. This can be anything from saying “good dog” to using excited tones and an enthusiastic voice. You can also use treats as a form of praise – dogs love food, so this is a great way to get their attention and let them know they’re doing something right. Just be sure not to overdo it with the treats, or you’ll end up with a overweight pup!
You can also use physical praise, such as petting or scratching your dog in their favorite spot. This is a great way to let them know they’re being a good boy or girl, and it’s also a nice way to bond with your furry friend.
Whatever method you choose, be sure to use praise consistently so your dog knows that good behavior around your pet birds is something you always want to see.
What To Do If Dog Is Aggressive Towards Birds
If your dog is acting aggressively towards your pet birds, there are a few things you can do to correct the behavior. First, make sure that your dog is well-trained and that you have a good relationship with him or her. This will help to ensure that your dog listens to you and understands your commands. If your dog is not well-trained, you may want to consider enrolling him or her in a obedience class.
Next, when your dog is displaying aggressive behavior towards your pet birds (such as the dog barking at the birds) firmly tell him or her “no” and redirect your dog’s attention to something else, such as a toy or a treat. It is important to remain calm while doing this, as yelling or getting angry will only aggravate the situation. If your dog continues to be aggressive, you may need to provide a physical correction, such as a leash pop or spray of water from a spray bottle. However, yelling or hitting them will only make the problem worse.
Finally, it is important to provide your dog with positive reinforcement when he or she is behaving in the way you want. This could include treats, praise, or petting. By providing your dog with positive reinforcement, you will help to reinforce the desired behavior and make it more likely that your dog will repeat it in the future.
If your dog continues to display aggressive or barking behavior, you may need to consult with a professional trainer or behaviorist to help correct the problem.
5 Mistakes To Avoid When You Have A Dog With Pet Birds
1. Not socializing your dog early on:
If you don’t socialize your dog early on, he may never learn how to properly interact with birds. This can lead to a number of problems, including aggression and fearfulness around birds.
2. Not teaching your dog to “leave it”:
One of the most important things you can teach your dog is the “leave it” command. This will come in handy if your dog ever gets too close to a bird or tries to chase one.
3. Not monitoring your dog around birds:
Even if your dog is well-trained, it’s important to always monitor him around birds. This is to ensure that he doesn’t start chasing or bothering them.
4. Allowing your dog to chase birds:
Chasing birds can be dangerous for both the dog and the bird. It’s important to never allow your dog to chase birds, no matter how much he wants to.
5. Not being aware of your dog’s body language around birds:
Dogs communicate through body language, and it’s important to be aware of what your dog is trying to say when he’s around birds. If you see him getting tense or starting to lunge, it’s time to remove him from the situation.
Remember
It’s important to introduce your new dog to your pet birds in a calm and relaxed manner. Make sure the process is done slowly.
Keep your dog on leash or in a crate unless you are absolutely sure the dog won’t go after the birds. Even then it is a risk. And never leave your dog unattended with a loose bird.
Be consistent with your training and reward your dog for good behavior around the birds. Get professional help if you are struggling with redirecting dog aggression towards your birds.
With patience and training, your dog and pet birds can learn to coexist peacefully.
What are you most worried about when introducing your bird to your dog? Let us know in the comments!
-Kacey
P.S. Did you like this article? Trot on over to:
- Should I Get A Pet? The Ultimate Guide To Making The Right Decision
- 11 Basic Dog Commands Your Dog Should Know
- How To Introduce & Train Your Dog To Get Along With Your Pet Birds
- All About Cockatiel Birds: A Comprehensive Guide
