I've been fortunate with my birds in recent years, and haven't had too
many problems. But I've got one now that's got me stumped.
As many of the long-time users know, last April I adopted a retired
racing greyhound, "Tesla". I haven't had a dog since long before I got
any of my current birds (some of whom have been here for 9 to 10 years
now). So having a big "furry" in the house was a totally new experience
for all my birds. 17 of the 18 birds quickly got used to Tesla's
presence, and either ignore him completely, bite at him if he gets too
close, or even feed him by tossing goodies out of their cages. Tesla
totally ignores the birds except when food hits the floor under a
cage--otherwise, they simply don't exist for him.
But Rico, my almost-3-year-old handfed jenday male, is STILL terrified
of the dog. Whenever Tesla walks past the door to the upstairs bird room
where Rico's cage sits, Rico begins that non-stop Jenday alarm call that
can wake the dead. Rico screams for several minutes after the dog is
long out of sight. If Rico happens to be out with us in the living room
where the dog's bed is, and Tesla even breathes a heavy sigh or rolls
over in his sleep, Rico begins that screaming.
He gets himself so worked up and fearful that if I try to handle him
(say, to put him back in his cage so he can calm down) while he's
screaming, he will tear chunks out of my hands. (This is a bird who is
normally a love sponge and wouldn't think of biting even during a nail
clip session).
Does anybody have ANY ideas on how I can gently desensitize Rico to the
dog? He gets himself so worked up that I am beginning to fear for his
continued health in the future--the constant stress he's putting himself
through can't be good for him.
--Kathy
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