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Yorkies and birds?

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Animal experts please respond, I have a Conure (Bird) and I am getting a Yorkshire Terrier tomorrow. Any advice on cohabitation of these two? I have heard that the saliva of a dog is poisonous to the bird. In addition I have been told that Terrier's will push over the cage; please advise. Thank you

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  1. i own a yorkie and some birds but my yorkie has naver ever went after the cage. and still dont she is 2 and my cage is on the floor and he dont pay attention to them im sure it will  just fine


  2. I breed all different types of birds and have heard stories about all sorts of dogs and pups to have their natural pounce and play response that can kill a very nice bird like a conure in one second flat. Here is my advice (this has worked for all my customers with both cats and dogs) be very aware of what is going on in the room even when you step out....spy on the dog when it thinks you are no longer present and see what actions if any it takes towards the bird. Buy a very nice sturdy "critter proof cage" even if you have to spend more upfront(conures live long if healthy). The Yorkie is a safety hazard which I believe all pets are...when you can not be there to supervise either put up dog/baby gates to separate the dog from the bird or keep an extra play cage in a "safe room" where you can close the door and not worry. I have raised birds for ten years now and have dogs that I know would kill if I was not paying attention and I have not had a single death or injury to a single bird due to staying aware. You are on the right track, since you know the dangers, just always make a habit out of keeping them both out of harms way if you are too busy to pay attention to them or when you are away and everything will be fine with enjoying both of these wonderful pets.

  3. Hello...

    wow this is tough, as for the dog spit, its not going to do that to your bird, the bite might be bad but not the spit.

    you'll be ok as long as you keep the cage up high (seeing yorkies are small) they'll be fine.

    put your dog outside or in another room if you want to let the bird fly around.

    hopeihelped xoxo :o)

  4. This is a very easy thing to do. I have a Yorkie (Yorkshire Therrier) and a Conure as well. What I did was when I first introduced my Yorkie to my house I put Mr. Fluff's (the Conure) up high so Peanut (the Yorkie) would still get used to the sent. The next day I brought his cage down for Peanut to smell. At first she was a little aggressive, so I just simply told her no and put the cage up where she couldn't reach but so she could still see him. About an hour later I brought the cage back down so she could get used to him, and did the same thing. After a little over a day she got used to him being in his cage. So I kept it like that for a week or so. Then I let Mr. Fluff's out of his cage. Peanut was on a leash close by my side. I did that for a week or two. Now they are great friends. Good Luck.

  5. Make a plushie of a bird and show it to the dog if he growls or shows any signs of anger get a towel and put it over his eyes (it is best to do this in a car.) Once he gets the point show him to the real bird KEEP THE BIRD IN THE CAGE! once he calms down you won't have to worry!

  6. well i have 2 yorkshire terriers and dont have problems now i do have a umbrella cockatoo and a eceptic birds they r just fine u do have to watch the dogs with the cage they have alot of energy just b careful but to be honest i never heard of the saliva being poisonous never have i heard that

  7. Yorkies were breed to hunt small game my Yorkie recently died and my mom told me that when he was a puppy he came home with a small baby duck, at the time the duck was living but it died shortly afterwords.

  8. Trixie, my mums old (small) dog, used to try and l**k the budgie on the beak through his cage. Then the budgie used to try and bite Trixie on the tongue. They both lived for quite a long time.

    Be careful of the dog pushing the cage over. It happened to our finches and the door of the cage came open a bit and one of the finches got out. We ended up getting another one, (I know that you can never really replace them as they all have different personalities, there isn't two that are the same).

  9. I'm not sure about Yorkies, (Although I probably need to find out about yorkies and birds too, seeing as I'm getting a yorkie soon myself and i wouldn't want anything to happen to my poor bird =[ ) but I know with my miniature schnauzer, he was very good with my bird when we first got the bird. My dog is fine as long as he gets as much or more attention than the bird, and since this is a puppy you're getting (or I'm assuming it's a puppy) I'd suggest making sure there's a lot of interaction when it's a puppy but make sure that you are always there to supervise it!

  10. i have 2 yorkies and a baby bird and my yorkies are so sweet and dont even mess with it.  they are usually very mild tempered dogs and the most gentle ones i've come across.

  11. Palease !!! Quit listening to all the garbage you hear.  A dogs saliva is not poisonous to anyone or anything.  Get real.  Most birds get a long with dogs very well, as long as they are introduced properly, and have supervision.  Of course, your dog could get a good nip or two from your conure.  But there is absolutely NO reason why you can't have both in the same household.  Just introduce the dog to your bird slowly, and from across the room for awhile so it does not spook the bird and stress him out.  After a few days, let the dog get closer, and then even closer.  After awhile you can hold the bird down to the dog at closer range.  Please read my profile.

    A dog bite can be bad for the bird, or anything else for that matter.  There are many weird things about dog saliva posted on the internet.  They are myths, not the truth.  I don't know where some people come up with stuff like this.  Of course dogs will chase birds, as well as anything else that moves and that will run from them.  It is all part of playing and does not always mean the dog is trying to do harm.  A rambunctious dog can knock things over, make sure your dog gets plenty of out door exercise.  The thing about certain breeds of dogs not wanting anything to do with birds is a load of baloney, too.  If it moves, the pup will want to play with it or chase it.  It is part of nature.  Your dog will have plenty of energy while it is a pup. Just monitor the activity around your bird.  But keeping the two of the separated in different rooms all the time is not a good idea, they should be allowed to get used to each other.  I have seen tons of people that have both birds and dogs, and the two get along great.  Don't let people spook you just because they had a bad experience. Most dogs really enjoy chasing wild birds out side, but it is just a game.  Most dogs would not know what to do with a bird if they did catch it.

  12. I introduced my dog to my new bird slowly, just like I did to the new baby.  I held my dog close and let him smell the bird and talked to him softly and told him "Be nice and Nice bird".  Now, they both coexist without any problems.  OF course when our bird is loose in the house- he is flighted- we are right there but our dog has never cared.

    I wouldn't leave them along though, just in case.

    My dog was not a puppy though when we got the bird.  A puppy has all kinds of unpredictable behaviors!

    Deb

  13. Is the Yorkie that you are getting a puppy, or are you getting an older one? THAT makes a big differance. I had Yorkie for 17 years. He was the best dog. He got along with every single animal I brought home. I had cockatiels walking around on the floor and he would just sniff them and walk away. Dogs, jusy like humans are all different. If you are getting a young puppy then you have the ideal situation to properly socialize them. Some dogs get along with birds some don't. But you have the chance to introduce them properly.

    Right now I have a Doberman and a Chihuahua and a cat. My cockatiel is madly inlove with dogs and he jumps off his cage to follow them around the house. My Dobie just sniffs the bird. She knows that this bird is a pet, a part of the family. She knows that she has to be gentle. It's the way I raised her. (She's big too) Now when she's outside she chases the wild birds outside, never inside. But accidents can happen. So you always have to supervise. Always.

    As per the cage. As long as you have a sturdy cage, on a sturdy stand, I highly doubt a Yorkie is going to "push" it over. Supervision. Training. From the get go.

    ADD:

    I forgot to address the Saliva Part:

    Yes it's true:

    http://www.quakerparrots.com/forum/index...

    (From a Quaker Forum)

    In an earlier thread someone stated that dog and cat saliva kills parrots.I very much need to know if that is fact or not. My Bella (yorkie) and Daisy (goffin's cockatoo) are beak to nose daily and give each other kisses thru Daisy's cage bars. I have seen Bella's tongue l*****g daisy's mouth.I have tried to read everything I can find on keeping parrots and I don't recall anything covering this. Would anyone who knows the facts on this issue, please respond. I would sure appreciate it.

    Answer:

    Yes that is true. Actually not just dog and cat saliva though. Any mammal saliva can be toxic to birds. There's bacteria in their saliva that will cause the birds blood to become septic which can occur very very quickly. Just do a google search and there are plenty of articles and evidence to back this up

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

    EDIT:

    Well I guess it's not "garbage" if you've watched a bird die from this blood disorder.

    From "Eclectus Parrots: Everything about Purchase, Care, Feeding, and Housing" : (Page 10)

    "The saliva from dogs and cats is toxic to birds and a bite can cause a fatal septicemia with Pasteurella."

    So TD me all ya want these are MY experiences, that I am sharing to help her with her situation.

  14. I think you are fine.  You can train your terrier to not mess with the bird.  And I think you would have more risk with having a cat than a dog.  And the saliva is not poisonous to birds.  Any way you will be fine.

  15. I have a conure...i was told by the vet to either get a poodle or a bichon or a french bulldog because they have no desire to go near birds, they are small enough and are not hunting dogs, but with any dog you have to use caution not to have the bird loose around them, as they are unpredicable...no matter how sweet your dog is, they can take one snap at the bird and that ends that...be careful.

  16. Hey there! Congradualations on getting a Yorkshire Terrier. This isn't an easy question to answer. My neighbor has a Yorkshire Terrier that kills birds. Be very careful. The dog only kills small birds, like finches and sparrows, but doesn't bother crows or doves. Some dogs will actually play with birds.

  17. well my cousin has a yorkie and a rabitt and the dog is on his last life and he still barks at the rabitt and in dog years he is 105 so imagine how it would be with a bird and a dog who is young ! :0

    Julia D

  18. I have a yorkie. Ever since he was a baby (he's 3 yrs. old now), he loves to chase birds and on several occasions, caught and killed them. We have a fenced in back yard and he is free to run. We also have a lot of birds flying around and nesting in our mature trees. Please be very careful! It's in their nature to hunt small things, they just can't help it. Maybe you'll be allright since the bird will be in a cage in your home and not flying around making the yorkie hyper and allowing his hunting instincts to kick in.

  19. I had 4 yorkies of various ages and I raised and handfed baby birds of all kinds.  My yorkies never once harmed any of my birds or baby birds.  Bear in mind that all dogs are a litlte different and one persons dog may react different then the next.  I would introduce the yourkie very slowly and carefully to the bird,and for very short  periods of time until the bird is not something new and exciting to the dog.  When you feel comfortable about holding the bird while the dog is around then let the bird on your lap or chair.  I am certain that you are a good pet owner and would never leave your bird out alone and always keep and eye on him when people are around so apply that to your dog and you should not have any problems

  20. i have a duck and i a dog and i have taught them ta get along. just be carefull and let the dog sniff it and tell it ta b gentle.they could get along if you teach themboth. my duck nipps my dog all the time. just eezz them into it..

  21. I Have both a Yorkie and a cocktail I made a mistake when i brought my bird into my yorkies home. Cookie hates snowball but she has never hurt him. Yes Snowball flys around the house and yes cookie chases after him  I think cookie gets pecked more when she gets to close to the bird but I've had both of em for over a year and my bird is as healthy as ever. Just keep your cage high, and no harm will come to him/her.

  22. Yorkshire Terriers are from what I have learned, rat catchers, rodent catchers, and ofcourse birds are very highly included in this list.

    Mostly, it is cats saliva that will kill a bird, but this can include a dog as well.

    Even if your little Yorkie just touches the bird with its teeth, it can do major damage...

    Secure the birds cage and NEVER, never ever let that conure out when it is not being monitored by you.

    No matter how sweet your little dog is

    (they can be wonderful!)

    it is still natural for them to want to "taste"....

    especially a Yorkie.

    I have BEagles and they are 5 years old, but the first 3 years were training, trianing training.

    If my bird came into the dogs vicinity, I would scream or throw something right next to the dog to scare the dog and the bird away from one another.

    Now, they stay away, but I still do not trust them.

    Safeguard the life of your bird -

    Love your dog, but love your bird also

    I hope this helps!

  23. Dog lovers tend to be animal lovers. This often leads to the necessity of introducing dogs to other dogs, cats, birds, and various other animals that share the home.

    As much as we hope for home to be a peaceable kingdom, some animals will not be able to live together in peace. Before acquiring a new animal, consider the characteristics of the prospective new family member as well as the animals you already have. Doing this can spare the animals injury or even death, and the human family members can avoid injuries, expenses, and other often highly unpleasant consequences of putting incompatible animals together.

  24. While they may get along fine (after a proper introduction) you will still need to be in the room to supervise them. A bird can suddenly nip, jump or fly and startle the dog and the dog, by instinct will snap or grab at the bird.

    Enjoy them both, let them get to know each other, but do not leave them alone no matter how well they get along.

  25. Niether has an "off" switch. Best you can do is keep the cage elevated...hung from the ceiling so to speak. We had more of a problem with our cats jumping up at the cage. But the dogs didn't bother them (our sun-jay & doves) at all. Good luck with that :)

  26. Well for starters I have 3 dogs, 5 cats and 5 birds. With caution they all can live together just fine. I would not let the bird out when the dog is in room. I would keep cage out of range of dog if possible. Maybe set a baby gate up. Train the dog and watch it closely around bird and cage. The bird will be scared at first I am sure. Saliva from a cat is deadly to birds as it has bacteria in it that  is toxic and a bird needs to be put on antibiotic within 24 hours if bitten. the same for a dog only not as toxic. If the conures cage is big enough I doubt a little yorkie will push it over. Good luck

  27. I have a parakeet and a terrier mix. Tuffy (terrier) has NEVER pushed over Bella's (parakeet) cage. Your pets need to get used to eachother, but if you still are worried keep your bird's cage up on a high shelf or table.

    Bella has gotten out of her cage once, and ended up in Tuffy's mouth. (POOR BELLA I KNOW!!!) But she wasn't hurt or harmed, just terrified. :)

  28. It won't work out.  Your bird must be cage bound at all times due to the terrier.  The yorkie is a typical terrier and will terrorize the bird even with the bird in the cage.

    Any dog breed can push over the cage and it does happen.

    You must not forget your dedication to your bird and I'd simply not bring the terrier home at all.

  29. I think you should get a baby yorkie not a big one to start with,because they have to bond,especially if its a dog and a bird.Also I think you should be strict with the puppy everytime you bring him and the bird by eachother so he can know what hes alowd to do and not to do.So train the puppy asap.

  30. The first answer is by far the best, and says everything that's needed, but I might add that when (and if) you choose to let the bird out of its cage, MAKE SURE THE DOG IS LOCKED OUT of the room. THat's what I always do to keep my cats from eating my rats and budgies.

  31. Oh goodness, this is a tough one!

    PLEASE, please please be cautious with your conure.

    Yorkshire Terriers are from what I have learned, rat catchers, rodent catchers, and ofcourse birds are very highly included in this list.

    Mostly, it is cats saliva that will kill a bird, but this can include a dog as well.

    Even if your little Yorkie just touches the bird with its teeth, it can do major damage...

    Secure the birds cage and NEVER, never ever let that conure out when it is not being monitored by you.

    No matter how sweet your little dog is

    (they can be wonderful!)

    it is still natural for them to want to "taste"....

    especially a Yorkie.

    I have BEagles and they are 5 years old, but the first 3 years were training, trianing training.

    If my bird came into the dogs vicinity, I would scream or throw something right next to the dog to scare the dog and the bird away from one another.

    Now, they stay away, but I still do not trust them.

    Safeguard the life of your bird -

    Love your dog, but love your bird also

    I hope this helps!

    Bonny
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