GSD and Parrots - Page 1

Any tips on training the pup to live harmoniously with the parrots?

What kind of parrot is it.  Reason I am asking is some parrots don't like companionship other than its own kind or human. I had an african grey 
that loved the company of our dogs and my cat.  On the other hand I had an double yellow head amazon that hated other animals.  Parrots are like 
people and each one is different with its own personality.   

As with the other situation, redirecting the attention from the bird is what I would start with. That is if the puppy shows an unwanted action
towards the parrot.  Perhaps your puppy is showing a healthy interest in what it is.  What is it that is going on with the puppy where the parrot is concerned?

Hi dotty, according my own experience I must tell you, please be carefull, my pup use to take my hens (they are pets) from their necks, he doesn't trust his own instincts. I think my hens know even the stomach of my pup, Im afraid some day he bites their head off and kill some of them. Im looking for someone to give the hens , there isn't option. He use to take the cats from their necks as well, exept those who live inside the house, he is very sweet with them, I think  if you teach them the way to treat your parrot since the beginning, surely  they will be gentle with him. Good luck!

Teach the pup to platz, then teach the parrot to say platz.

Then slowly teach both the schutzhund routine.

(sorry couldn't resist)

After a heartbreaking mistake in my early years of dog ownership with a retired GSD given to us, I have learned to absolutely claim the bird and never to let the dog focus on them.  My mistake was deadly to one of my dear handraised babies (dog was promptly OFF of my farm that very same day).

I taught my pup to leave the room when the tiels flapped their wings.  He was one that I could trust in a room with the birds without supervision when they were caged once he was an adult.  He simply ignored them.  He was a working Czech Shepherd with a high drive and excellent working ability (both on my farm and in protection).
I would never have trusted the Giant Schnauzer or the livestock guardians to be in the room unattended even with the birds caged.  It really depends on the individual dog.
I would never trust 100 percent when it comes to predator and prey.  Always err on the side of caution.

I had a macaw (Blue and Gold) that I wound up with. Long story short, the bird eventually chose my current GSD as his bondmate. He would scream bloody murder if I put the dog outside and left him in, he would chase me if I got too close to his dog, all those wonderful parrot traits. In the summer I would just open the back door and let them both into the yard. The parrot would walk around beside the dog, periodically climb the fence, then come back down and sit by the dog.

My GSD on the other hand wasn't so sure about all this -- the macaw would nip him to move him if I got too close -- and regarded the bird with a certain amount of apprehension. He accepted the bird, but couldn't understand what this strange, loud thing was that would try climbing him, and periodically threw up on his feet. The parrot, of course, thought he was sharing meals with his mate. The GSD looked mildly disgusted, lol.

The parrot had grown up with dogs before I took him in for what was supposed to be only a few weeks while his new owner got things set up at his place. He liked dogs, and wasn't afraid to assert himself with a well placed nip, or straight out bite, if he had to. My dogs soon learned to let him alone, but none of them were puppies either.

Truthfully, my concern was more what a full-grown 11yr old macaw could do to one of my dogs. Slice an ear or lip, cut through a curious nose, that sort of thing. Like most of my animals, they worked it out. The dogs didn't play with the parrot, but none of them were afraid of him either.

The macaw, who was very verbal for his kind, used to say to visitors: "Imma Rottweiler!" then he'd growl. I have NO idea where he picked that up. He never even met a Rottie as far as I knew.

Thank you everyone for your posts.

This is what happened.

I have 2 African Greys and a Blue and Gold Macaw.

They are used to dogs because of our 15 year old GS cross RIP

The birds have their own room.  The first time they saw the pups it was pretty interesting.

The birds were out in the living area on their stands.  The grey said "ohhhhhhhhh" with a tone like, 'this should be interesting' then she said "C'MERE" and did the dog call whistle and then she blew her feathers to twice the size and yelled "NOOOO!" when the pups came close.  

The macaw blew her wings open and fluffed up, of course she is now bigger then them.

The pups were very nervous.

The next day Izzy, the one pup came into the bird room and the birds did the same thing, except the grey flew to the bottom corner of her cage and scared the bejesus out of her.

Now when I go into the parrot room she cries and stays downstairs.  They won't be out when the two dogs are together.

I am asking now, is this good that they are afraid of the birds?


Should I now redirect every time they show an interest in the birds?

Advise please.


BTW I am very cautious about birds and I know the dog(s) could kill the birds in one jolt.

Do you really think I should teach them to say sit, or down?  The grey will for sure.