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Post by roxhum on Nov 17, 2013 19:01:04 GMT
An interesting thing has happened with Sky and Kermit. Kermit is getting very good at flight, Sky still needs to grow new feathers on his left side. They are only semi tame and I feared once they could fly I would be unable to catch them without getting a net. The opposite has happened. They actually look to me to get them out of tricky situations. They see me as a safe harbor as their world is expanding.
I have carefully been leaving dogs out while birds are loose since the best case scenario is for all of us to coexist together. The dogs are so very good. Two ignore the birds, one stops on command every time a bird flies past his nose and the fourth dog, although he LOVES the birds and I am sure he does not mean them any harm, but he is far far too interested so he sadly has to go in a crate when the birds are loose. Someday I will actively train him to ignore the birds.
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Post by Pammy on Nov 17, 2013 19:31:46 GMT
That's very interesting that your birds look to you for rescuing when they get themselves into predicaments. Clausy is just the opposite of that. When he flies where he shouldn't, like clinging to the top of a picture frame on the wall, he won't accept any help. I get right up there with a step stool, and then he takes off again. Kringle hasn't landed anywhere awkward. He flies a big, loopy flight around the room, and lands back on top of the cage every single time.
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Post by roxhum on Nov 17, 2013 19:45:55 GMT
That is interesting Pammy. They are all so different. Mine are young and this is their first adventures so they are probably less confident than Kringle and Claus.
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Post by dianapalmer on Nov 17, 2013 21:16:12 GMT
Do you have ideas about training the dog to ignore the birds?
I have read suggestions about that type of thing in resources about clicker training. I keep meaning to train my cats not to mind having their claws trimmed and having their teeth brushed. However, I never seem to get to it.
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Post by kennyt on Nov 17, 2013 21:35:10 GMT
Kylie has the tendency to fly into my room land and start screaming for me to come and get her out. Kyba flies in there and is at home he just ventures back out or waits for me at the door way talking to me. but neither one of them will go into the kitchen when its dark or past the fridge and counter top.
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Post by luvsanimals2 on Nov 17, 2013 21:44:03 GMT
that is awesome  |
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Post by rdkntriker on Nov 17, 2013 22:40:14 GMT
What type of dogs? If they are bird dogs, labs etc then their DNA is to hunt birds, so be very careful with them around
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Post by roxhum on Nov 18, 2013 0:30:10 GMT
In response to Diana and training my dogs. A little history, I have a odd little rescue herding type dog that has been through extensive professional behavior modification because he would aggressively nip at the heels of every dog and some humans that he met on the trail. Long story short he doesn't do that anymore. I thought I might use the same training technique with the birds, but it is severe, he would not be allowed to so much as look at the birds. I may not want to go there. Easier to crate dogs when the birds are loose.
No I do not have bird dogs, more herding type dogs. Two very old Cardigan Welsh Corgi's that basically were good ole ranch dogs that show no interest towards other pets in the house. And a poodle, that stops in his tracks when I say "leave it", but I think I am flirting a bit with danger and crate the dogs unless I am right there and watching them.
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Post by rdkntriker on Nov 18, 2013 0:57:20 GMT
I like your crating idea best
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Post by Pammy on Nov 18, 2013 1:04:28 GMT
I agree with you about flirting with danger, and that either dogs or birds should be secured when you can't be with them, supervising. Let us know how the training goes.
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Post by roxhum on Nov 18, 2013 17:23:25 GMT
I just posted in my Sweetie Pie Diary about the dogs. Long story short, I know I sound crazy having the dogs out when the birds are out. Even in a controlled situation their are risk. I have concluded that due to the natural nature of dogs it is safest to contain the dogs when the birds are out of their cages.
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Post by Pammy on Nov 18, 2013 17:31:33 GMT
You will come to know exactly what is best for all of your animals. Especially with the two senior citizen dogs, I think you could probably have some time with all animals together, as long and you are right there and not being distracted with other interests. But yeah, concerning the rambunctious youngster who is al too interested in those birdies -- you're right to be cautious.
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