Puppy introductions to the African Grey

[Missy]

I will soon (May 2013) be able to pick up my F2b mini-puppy and bring him home. I have an African Grey parrot and am curious if anyone else has had to introduce a puppy to a parrot.

Our parrot is 22 years old and very vocal. She has been around other dogs, but she likes to bark at them, which confuses the dogs. She also can create havoc with loud whistles or noises if she can't get her way. And she tells our babysitter's dog to 'come here' when the dog has been told to 'stay' by her owner, so I can only imagine how the new puppy might be confused.  I don't want the puppy to be afraid or scared.

Our bird vet says to make the introductions in a neutral room of the house, but was curious if there were other suggestions?

Thanks

Missy

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I have 2 cockatoos (both 16 yrs old) and had to introduce 2 puppies - 3 yrs apart. I can understand your concern over the noise and other confusing vocalizations your Grey makes and how it may impact the new puppy. Ours are loud too at times but only one talks (and does not 'bark'). Here's what I did: I put the birds in an upstairs bedroom in their cages (actually we used alternate cages for those times when we have workers in the house or need them to be in another part of the house for whatever reason), and kept them up there for a week starting the day each puppy came home. The puppies didn't have free run of the house and in fact we kept barriers at the foot of the stairs to prevent them from going up. During that first week the puppies heard the birds from downstairs and got use to hearing all the different noises they made, without it being right in their faces. In my case, I was more concerned about the birds getting use to having a new puppy in the house. They've always hated strange dogs that roam into the yard, so I knew they'd need some time to acclimate to having one (or two) in the house. Later on that 1st week I'd walk past the open door to the bird room holding the puppy and there was a lot of racket the first time with each puppy. I never went into the room with the puppy, but passed by and lingered a little at the door. The birds had had plenty of time to hear the puppy by then and now they had a face (and body) to associate the noise with. I did the walk-by several times over the remaining few days. Then, at the end of the week I put the puppy in it's crate and brought the birds downstairs to their regular cages. One bird made most of the noise over the puppy, while the other was quiet (but scared). All the bird screaming lasted about an hour, and then peace descended on the house. Both the birds and both puppies were leery of each other the first few weeks, but eventually they all learned to co-exist peacefully. The noise doesn't seem to bother either doodle (although it can sure bother me!). Any talking from the one cockatoo that talks doesn't seem to phase either doodle. I know that Greys are very clear speakers and there's a greater likelihood your puppy will be confused by it. I think a slow and easy introduction like the one I outlined might help a lot.

[Missy]

Thank you for the great ideas!  That's a good idea on having the pups and birds on two different floors.  I can't move the bird, but I can take the pup upstairs for a few days, and/or leave the pup crated upstairs while I am away just in case Beeko decides to 'talk' or 'aggravate' the pup.

And you are right on taking it slow in the introduction. You have reminded me that we always lay out new toys for up to a week before putting them in her cage-as she hates new stuff. I think I will go ahead and start purchasing gates and crates, etc. so they can be in the house without the dog to help in this transition. 

I'm relieved to hear the noise/chatter doesn't seem to bother the dogs. I know the birds can be quite loud if they intend to get attention!!  and I hear cockatoos need lots of attention.  Thanks for the great ideas!

[Karen Ruhl]

Hi Missy, I have 2 doodles, a six year old and a 9 month old as well as a 15 year old African Grey parrot. I had no trouble introducing them. The bird does make lots of weird noises and says things that confuse the dogs but mostly they ignore it. She likes to make the doorbell sound and then laugh when they run and bark! The most Important thing is to avoid letting the bird be out of the cage with the dogs free until you are sure of the dogs prey behavior. I really didn't do anything special, just told them no when they acted too interested in the bird. They soon accepted her as part of the family (and not dinner!) Our puppy is a little scared of the bird! The dogs do have an annoying habit of eating the seed that she spills- it doesn't seem to upset their digestion so I don't worry too much about it. So much for spending the money for "grain free" dog food!
Good luck with your new pup!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Oh yes, Lucy has a healthy fear of the birds, too! When she got a little too close early on, one took flight, all the while belting out a blood curdling scream. It scared Lucy so bad its stayed with her to this day. If the birds are out of their cages, Lucy is nowhere nearby. A good thing, really. Oscar, on the other hand, doesn't seem interested, one way or the other, in the birds, although they're a little leery of him yet..

[Missy]

Thanks for letting me know all is well in the doodle and grey relationships!

I'm sure watching the dogs run to the door is quite entertaining for all!

Our Beeko loves to ring the phone to try to get us into a conversation, or say bye when we have company that is boring! She is our forever 2 year old, complete with tantrums.

We have a pen built around the bird cage that I will attempt to keep the two separated, but it's good to know a few seeds aren't harmful.

Thanks for the information.

[Dee & Chloe]

Hi Missy,

I also have an African Grey parrot, Bailey, who is 11 years old. When I got him as a baby, I had a Dobie that was a rescue and she had a lot of baggage from her past.  I never was able to even have them in the same room. I promised Bailey I would never put him through that again. So  when I got Chloe, who is now 22 months old, I did a lot of research about what to do and what I did seemed to work for me. I live in a very small home and since I retired  7 years ago, Bailey is out of the cage most of the day and only in his cage at night and when I am out. I had to figure out a way to keep him safe and happy. His cage is in a rather large entryway that overlooks my  main living area. I purchased a 12 foot free standing pet gate to put across the opening. So from the start, Chloe had the physical boundary to deal with. The first several months I just let them get used to each other, the sounds and smells of each other. I didn't try to introduce them to each other until they were each ready. They have been through various stages as Chloe has grown up and Bailey has gotten used to her. The first few months Chloe would go to the divider and start barking at Bailey, but only when Bailey was taunting her by leaning over and trying to bite her. I always am sure Bailey's cage is far enough from the divider so they can't touch each other. I  would redirect Chloe away from Bailey until she learned no. But that stage has been over  for a while. We had to go through Bailey's area to get to the yard so for a long time, I put her on a leash to get outside and corrected her if she went toward the bird. This was until she was about 6 months old and had some obedience classes under her belt. Once she responded to sit, stay and no, life was easier. I still have the room divider since Bailey is out of his cage but I can open the gate and be with Bailey and she will not go through the gate. After the initial barking and taunting episodes, Bailey has always shown more interest in her than she in him. I think he sees her as his entertainment and he is constantly talking to her. As we worked on different commands, Bailey would try to tell her what to do. I always know what we have been working on through Bailey. The latest is "drop". When I do put them nose to nose on occasion, I am sure that they are both in a calm and relaxed mood. At first, Chloe would shy away from Bailey, since she remembers him trying to bite her. But now I can hold Bailey with Chloe at my feet. Chloe  will kiss Bailey and is very gentle with him and vice versa now. So for me it was using a lot of patience and letting them give me the cues as to when they were ready for the next step. Oh, I forgot, I also give them both apple slices daily and that seemed to allow them to have  special time together. I give Bailey a  piece and then give Chloe a piece. They are each on their own side of the divider but this got them used to being close to each other and sharing treats.

I am sure you will figure out what works for you and with your particular living arrangements. It is worth all the time I have put in because I get such joy from both of them and know that they are both happy and adjusted to each other. Chloe has alerted me when Bailey has "dive bombed" to the floor by standing by the barrier and barking until I come. They make me laugh every day and Chloe does not obey the commands  from Bailey! My goal is to have Bailey be able to stand on her back, but we are not there yet!

[Missy]

So glad to hear Bailey and Chloe are getting along.  It would be difficult to think that I would be altering Beeko's lifestyle with the arrival of a puppy.

Beeko (our grey) is usually out of her cage all day too. Since we have been chatting in the house about a puppy dog, Beeko has now decided to walk around on the floor.  She is clipped, so she doesn't fly, but it is odd, that she now wants to explore the house.

Where did you find a 12 foot freestanding gate? We have an open living setup and the gate issue has been difficult to solve. How high is it?  24" or 36"?

Good idea to work on the obedience thing.  I agree that the Greys probably love the entertainment, sometimes I feel that is all I am to Beeko. lol

And I love the idea of sharing food!!  I am sure the transition will take time, but it is good to hear that others are successful in the addition of the puppy.  I have cleared the summer schedule and others are getting tired of hearing my decline to invites, but I do think it is important to get the foundation done correctly!!

Thank you for the advice!!

[Dee & Chloe]

The gate is called the Convertible Elite Pet Gate by Richell. I ordered it online through Dog Beds and Crates. If you google Richell pet gates, there are numerous places that sell them. On the above mentioned web site, they have a video demonstration of how you can use the gate. It converts into a play pen, etc. I got the 6 panel one since my opening is large and I have it in the zig zag pattern with the gate in the middle. I put it up a few weeks before I brought home Chloe so Bailey got used to seeing it. It is 31 inches high and Chloe is a medium double doodle. Sometimes when Bailey dive bombs to the floor, I find him on top of the gate wating for me to come "rescue" him. Chloe just stands there and barks and then when I get him, she gives him a kiss. So sweet...

It sounds like you do have it all under control at this point and I am sure it will go better than you expect. I too cleared my schedule and took a hiatus from my art classes. Between  walks, dog classes and training, dog park outings, etc. I did not have the time or energy to go to 3 art classes! My garden has also been  neglected for the last year. But it was well worth it because I now see glimpses of the dog I always wanted and also still have a happy bird.

 It is interesting that Beeko has started walking on the floor now. My bird breeder swears that they are psychic and I am beginning to think so at times. Every time I am ready to get him to go get groomed he refuses to step up and runs from one end of his cage to the other. How does he know he's going to get groomed?

Maybe we should start a group for doodle and bird owners. I am sure  we can share a lot of laughs! (:

[Missy]

Dee,

Thank you for the gate info.  It looks like a good one!! You have eased my mind a lot and yes the objective is to have a happy dog with a happy bird!! So glad Chloe and Bailey get along. It does make for a happy home and no regrets!!

Our Beeko I think understands exactly what is going on, and acts out just like a two year old. Maybe in time our Beeko will give our puppy kisses too! Beeko is clipped but she does on occasion take what we call 'suicide leaps' to get closer to where she wants to go. (ie. off the t stand) The leap is never pretty, but she just grunts and shakes herself with an  'ohh'.

Congrats on making it thru the year, and I hope it will be a great summer for you all! gardening and art classes are not something to quit forever!!

A doodle and bird owner group would be a good idea! I'm sure there are tons of stories to be told!

 

[Dee & Chloe]

Hi Missy,

Beeko's "suicide leaps" are the same as what I call Bailey's dive bombs. He is also clipped and at times he leaps off his cage and lands with a thud. He seems to do this more when he needs to be groomed and knows he has more flapping power!  I do have him groomed every 2 months.

Since Chloe will be 2 in March, I will no longer be in this group. I am going to send you a friend request so we can keep in touch. I will be most interested in hearing how it is going with the new pup and Beeko. Also, I will see how to start a group and we'll see if people respond.

I did go back to my watercolor class in May and my painting placed first in the midstate fair this year. I am currently working on my first graphite drawing and it is of Chloe! The best thing about Chloe growing up is that I can now work in my back room which is my studio/office and Chloe just lays on the floor beside me. I thought she would never do that because for a long time, she  just got into everything while back there with me. If I put her in her crate, she would cry. So I didn't even do any art work at home either. I already have plans for my spring garden! 

[Missy]

yes, let's stay in touch!

Hopefully, I clicked the correct buttons to do that! lol

I only groom Beeko about every 3-5 months. She is a chewer, which helps with the beak, and it is usually her attitude that results in a vet visit.  (she gets really sarcastic and dominant-so the vet visit knocks her down a peg or two)lol  Our bird vet is 2 hours away, which makes the trip a bit stressful.  

So glad you got back to painting. Congratulations on your paintings!! It's always good to hear the puppy stage does end. I am an arts and crafter myself, and I would hate to think my studio days are over. I can only hope that my puppy days will come to an end too. You will have to post pictures of your Chloe's drawing. She is a lovely curly brown doodle!

If you get the group set up, let me know as I am new to navigation around here. Happy planting, as spring is almost here!

[Suzanne Newman]

Hi Missy!

It's awesome to see so many other doodle owners have parrots.  We also have a 30 year old African Gray named Friday.  When we first brought Whidbey home, we put her in a protected puppy gated area that was in a separate room.  They heard each other, and we brought Whidbey out to the main living area where Friday's cage is on several occasions.  There was absolutely no problem.  

Now Whidbey has full run of the house, and Friday is totally fine with her.  I keep the parrot mostly in the cage, but he gets to come outside of it every once in awhile.  He is still in the center of everything, but also protected from being startled and flying off and likely scaring the dog.  He now even says "Whidbey!" in the same voice that I use when I call her, and I even think now he is working on some of her soft barking sounds!  

They should be just fine together!  You will love how your parrot picks up new sounds and phrases associated with your new doodle!!