Conference 7.286::pet_birds

578.0. "HELP!!! JEALOUS COCKATIEL WITH NEW PUP!" by MECCA::KERBY () Tue Jul 16 1991 19:06

    Hi,
      I have had my cockatiel, Sam, for 1 year and he has been so friendly
    and so good to me.  He is very tame and I've let him have the freedom
    to roam the house as he pleases.  The cage door is always open for him
    to come and go as he pleases.  
    
    I have a problem:  We just bought a puppy (toy poodle) and have had her
    for 6 weeks now.  The bird started doing some strange things right from
    the beginning, when we first brought the puppy home.  The pup's name is
    Peanut.  
    I believe that the bird is doing all of these things out of jealousy
    and I honestly don't know what to do to change things or DO I JUST WAIT
    FOR THE BIRD TO ADJUST TO THE DOG.
    The bird first started doing things like flying to people that he never
    flew to before.  In my house, I was the only one that he flies to
    because I have been the one to spend at least an hour every day talking
    to and am the only one who cleans, feeds, etc.  
    Now, the bird is flying to the floor constantly as if to dare the pup
    to try and get him.  I keep telling the pup "NO" , to leave the bird 
    alone, not to jump at the bird.  The bird seems to antagonize the pup
    by constantly doing this.  The other thing that is really bothering me
    is that the bird is eating all of my plants, which he has NEVER done 
    before.  I have some of these plants for almost 20 years now and I
    started to move plants out of the room but it is the only room for the
    plants to get sun and as I've said...Sam NEVER did this before!  He
    might've tried once or twice, but the other day there must've been 30
    leaves from this plant on the floor.  I figured it is because he is
    jealous and I have not been able to spend as much time with him as 
    before (the pup).  BUT....on Saturday, my house cleaning day, I cleaned
    with Sam on my shoulder all day long.  I tried to pamper him and play
    with him and it didn't seem to help.  As soon as I put him on his cage,
    he flew to the floor and started munching away on plants, right in
    front of me.  He knows it is making me angry, but keeps on doing it.
    
    I don't want to have to keep him in his cage, but I'm not sure if there
    is anything else I should or can do. OR should I just keep doing what
    I'm doing, keeping in mind that I need to spend that quality time with
    him and, in time, he will stop doing this.
    
    Has anyone ever had this problem?  I really need advice/help because
    I feel like I am still spending just about the same amount of time
    that I did before.  I always reserve the end of the day, after the kids
    are in bed, to have quiet time for Sam.  Turns out that it works pretty
    good because the pup is sleeping at the time and doesn't bother us.
    
    I'ld appreciate any advice/help that you can give me.  I am feeling
    sort of guilty about getting angry at the bird, but I am also getting
    exhausted trying to please both bird and pup.  I cannot let the bird
    chew my plants.  These plants are not poisonous to the
    bird...obviously.
    
    thanks,
    Cathy

    Hi KAthy,
    
    My opinon is you second suggestion"OR should I just keep doing what
        I'm doing, keeping in mind that I need to spend that quality time
    with him and, in time, he will stop doing this."
    
    I have not had this problem with Pets, but with Human Kids. If you
    inroduce a foreign loved one and change your behaviour to the familiar
    loved one, LOOK OUT ! 
    
     

    Thank you, Doug.
    
    I know exactly what you mean about KIDS.  
    
    Cathy