Fly to attack dogs?

[hlasdf]

So as some of you may know, my lovebird, Daisy's wings were clipped when I got her and I'm planning on letting her grow them out. However, she tends to be violent towards my dogs and I'm worried that if I let her grow out her wings, she'll start flying on/to them to bite. Both of my dogs have gone from happy and carefree to sad and careful around the house since we brought Daisy home. I try to keep her away from them but sometimes one of the dogs will walk into my room or near her, and get bit. There aren't many things I can use to distract her since she doesn't play with toys. Not only that, but her biting problems have risen again, making it even worse for the dogs and us. Anyone have experience with my situation? Any help would be appreciated.

[pennyandrocky]

she bites because she can't fly. my dog was raised from a puppy with birds so she knows to keep her face away from them. be careful i would never bring a clipped bird in a house with a dog or cat who was unused to living with birds. my 's companion was ripped apart by my uncle's dogs because he was clipped and couldn't fly away. all you can do now is wait til the flights grow back.

[hlasdf]

she bites because she can't fly. my dog was raised from a puppy with birds so she knows to keep her face away from them. be careful i would never bring a clipped bird in a house with a dog or cat who was unused to living with birds. my 's companion was ripped apart by my uncle's dogs because he was clipped and couldn't fly away. all you can do now is wait til the flights grow back.

It doesn't seem like Daisy's biting out of self defense though. My dogs are quite docile and don't bite her. She bites them when they're simply laying down a few feet away from her, or just sitting in their bed. I've also seen her sneak attack my dog's leg while she was hiding under a blanket and my dog was just standing in the opposite direction.

[Michael]

Keeping parrots around dogs is an accident waiting to happen. You really shouldn't have both out in the same place at the same time whether the bird can fly or not. I've heard of flighted and clipped parrots alike getting caught by cats or dogs. The moment it happens, you can't do anything about it but watch and then you'll have to live with the fact that it could have been prevented through responsible separation.

[marie83]

Keeping parrots around dogs is an accident waiting to happen. You really shouldn't have both out in the same place at the same time whether the bird can fly or not. I've heard of flighted and clipped parrots alike getting caught by cats or dogs. The moment it happens, you can't do anything about it but watch and then you'll have to live with the fact that it could have been prevented through responsible separation.

I absolutely agree with this. I used to have my dogs and birds out together out of sheer ignorance but never ever again. The dogs never ever tried to touch the birds, not even a twitch towards them but it could have been so different. Even the most docile dog can snap in the right circumstances.
I dont have dogs atm but if I did they would be secured in a seperate room during out times.

[hlasdf]

Ah, I see... Guess I'll just try to keep them separate when I can. Thanks!

[lifesazoo33]

Keeping parrots around dogs is an accident waiting to happen. You really shouldn't have both out in the same place at the same time whether the bird can fly or not. I've heard of flighted and clipped parrots alike getting caught by cats or dogs. The moment it happens, you can't do anything about it but watch and then you'll have to live with the fact that it could have been prevented through responsible separation.

I agree with this whole-heartedly. I have 2 dogs, and would never trust them in the same room as my parrot when he is out. It is not always possible to have the bird in a room with a door, but you should be able to section off an area that is safe for it to be out and not interact with the dogs. I use baby gates, and a towel hung down over the doorway (to the gate). This way the dogs are not tempted to jump the gate (I have a husky and a Labradour) and if my parrot does fly (his wings are semi-clipped - allows him to get from point A to B, but not get height - I do not want him to fly into windows as we have large glass doors and windows). There is always a solution, and I think taking the time to find the solution will work out for the best for both your parrot and your dog!

[hnhobu]

It is true that Daisy is biting because she cannot fly. When I received my lovebird Cassette I had a similar problem because he would lunge at our cats and be very defensive, but once his wings grew out a bit and he was able to at least lift himself off the ground, he's been better with them. The only thing he feels towards the cats now is curiosity.

I do agree with everyone when it comes to having your dogs and bird in the same room until you get to know and understand each of your pets and how they interact better. I have tow cats, and I'll only allow one to be in the same room as me when I have my bird out because I don't trust the other one at all. And even then, I don't really allow my 'good' cat and Cassette to interact much and when I do I'm right next to them because I don't trust Cassette not to pinch him with his peak or chew on his fur.

Cat, human, and dog saliva is toxic to parrots... so be careful!

[Michael]

I do agree with everyone when it comes to having your dogs and bird in the same room until you get to know and understand each of your pets and how they interact better.

No, this just isn't sufficient. "Understanding" your pets is irrelevant because these kinds of accidents usually happen on instinct and cannot be foreseen through common behavior.

Have you ever seen your parrot get spooked? Have you ever seen a cat pounce? These are reflexive behaviors that aren't indicated by the animal's personality or behavior. Just because a cat or dog doesn't even take interest in the parrot, doesn't mean that if the parrot doesn't happen to just fly by it's mouth that it won't instinctively snap (or other scenarios). Since both the parrot and the cat/dog can act on instinct, you are doubling your chances of having a catastrophic accident. In virtually all cases it is to the parrot!

There was a psychology experiment done with a cat and mouse both raised together from babies. They got along and played together but one day the mouse scurried by the cat, instinct took over, and the cat pounced on it and killed it. It didn't try to eat it or anything but the damage was already done. This is why it doesn't matter how much you "understand each of your pets and how they interact," because the death of your parrot will most likely be caused by a momentary act on instinct.

[hnhobu]

We have had this conversation before, and I do not agree with keeping my parrot locked up in his cage 24/7 just to insure he willl live, because that will not be much of a life. There are other things that I consider much higher in risk than letting my bird and cat be in the same room together.

But, that isn't the point. I do not advocate people pairing other pets and parrots together. The only cat I let near cassette won't even chase the mice we had in our apartment.
Just as there are case studies where a dog and mouse are raised together with a negative outcome, there are studies of a cat and a mouse being raised together with positive outcome. There are many instances where a female dog will raise other species of animals and the outcome is wonderful!