My quaker is very stressed by my new dog what do I do?

Question

I got a 6 month old standard poodle a few days ago. The dog doesn't pay too much attention to the bird, only looks at him in his cage sometimes. I don't have them out at the same time but my bird keeps doing that stressed screeching that Quaker parrots do. I am hoping he will eventually learn that he is safe in his cage and get comfortable seeing the dog. I give the bird separate play time and now have my quaker in a room I don't let the dog into. My quaker likes being around us so I am going to put a baby gate in the doorway of my bedroom so we can keep the door open and keep the dog out. I just hope my quaker will stop screaming. sometimes he is okay in the same room when the dog is just laying still, but when she moves the bird gets upset. It has only been a few days.

Any tips from people with quakers and dogs will be very much appreciated.

Answer 1

You will have to keep the dog away from the bird and introduce them slowly.  This kind of stress on your bird can be very unhealthy, and can cause feather picking and self mutilation.  Keep the dog out of your birds site most of the time.  Just allow the bird to see the dog a few times a day, and make sure there is a good distance between them.  Try to keep the dog from barking when it is near your bird, this will just add to the stress.  Until your bird is comfortable around the dog, you will have to keep them separated.  You can hold you bird and show him that the dog will not hurt him, but do it slowly and be careful that the bird does not bite you due to excitement.  Many times birds have a hard time adjusting to new things (especially animals) taht are brought into the home.  Just be patient and remember, that birds can consider a dog a danger to them.  Please read my profile.

Answer 2

Yes introduce them slowly and most importantly the dog must learn that you do not eat house mates !!! My chihuahua has learned to like my quaker and vice versa . My chihuahua helps my handicapped quaker home most times when he seems to be having trouble . Give the bird time to get adjusted to the dog and vice versa . It has only been a few days the dog will learn and so will the bird just give it time . good luck .