Cleo

[susieandmartin]

Okay ... I've tried everything I know, but nothing I do is helping. We have a 6 year old umbrella cockatoo, named Cleo,who is screaming almost non-stop! She is quiet if you hold her. I cannot hold her constantly as we have inside dogs (a Shepard, a yorkie and a Carine terrier) and I'm afraid that they will harm her. when she is out of her cage, we put the dogs either outside or behind a baby gate. She has an 'outside' cage for our screened porch and she enjoys being out in it...but again, we are sitting out there with her. We never leave her unattended unless she is in her 'inside cage' which is up high enough that the dogs cannot get near her. We adopted her approximately 6 weeks ago from a young girl who wasn't spending much time with her. I don't think Cleo's is screaming due to the dogs, as her last owner had dogs also.
I have fallen in love with Cleo, but not sure if having her with the dogs is more stress than she (and I) can handle. Any suggestions on how to change her behavior would be appreciated...other than the screeching, she is a well behaved and loving bird.
Thanks....Susie​

 

[susieandmartin]

would it help to have another bird as a companion for Cleo?

 

[maggenpie]

I'm short on experience myself, my dear boy having come into my life barely three months ago, but I can tell you what helps Gwynn.

I talk to him, and tell him what I'm doing. If I say I'm going shopping he doesn't call for me. He sees I've got my coat and bag and sees me leave the house. He knows I'm out of reach so he doesn't call. If I'm elsewhere in the house though, he will soon start calling. He used to shout as soon as I left the room. I wouldn't go back until he was quiet, even if it meant waiting until he paused for breath so I could get in a cheerful 'hello' and encourage him to say one back. Now I say 'back in a minute' and he accepts that I'll be back soon.

I've found a video of relaxing music with pretty images on youtube that lasts for over four hours. I put that on and Gwynn sets to playing with his favourite puzzle toy. He loves the toy so much it doesn't even need a treat in it but if he's going to be alone for long then I load up all his puzzle and foraging toys first.

I can't comment on the dogs, my old dog is very quiet but I keep her out while Gwynn's cage is open because I don't know what he would do. He's jumpy and inclined to attack in defence. Better safe than sorry for the moment at least. If my dog comes in, or my jackdaw flutters and startles Gwynn, I say something like 'that's alright' and speak to them by name, saying 'hello Mollie' or 'hello Kara, what are you doing?' and it lets Gwynn know there's nothing to be afraid of, that it's just another member of the flock doing their thing.

A change of home is a huge emotional upheaval. You observed that she didn't get enough attention before. Now she's with people who care and give her the affection that she craved for so long. She's latched onto you, and naturally she wants to be with you and your flock all the time. Gradually she'll gain confidence and learn to be alone some of the time without fretting.

 

[LivLaughLov]

We brought home a new baby Cockatoo last evening and we also have two dogs; a big Bearded Collie and a little Pekingese. The Beardie thought it was good to stand up on her cage to get a better look and the little one stood by her cage and barked. So my husband brought up our big folding puppy pen and put it around her cage. Problem solved in the cage. I also put my pups behind a gate when I brought Blossom out of her cage this morning and will again tonight. Like you said, don't know how they'll react. Hopefully someone with experience will help. Although after talking to people here I did more research on Cockatoos and cages. Apparently huge cages prevent behavior problems! A couple accepted our bid on their giant Macaw cage today so we'll be picking that up this weekend. It's 50" wide by 39" deep and 68" high. Good grief! I could fit in it!

 

[terry52449]

Cockatoos like most parrots are very social animals and need to be active inside the family. Not protected from them. Your dogs will be curious as they should be so some liberty with them must be taken as long as there is no aggresson. Not any different than bringing home a new baby. Must show dogs their boundaries with the bird cage. Perhaps a portable play pen for small children around the cage. This will allow interaction. A spray bottle of water works well to stop barking in the house. Dogs Only Please!!! Never trust any of them alone with the bird. They are animals. Reward your dogs for good rehavior and verbal punishment when bad. They`ll get the idea.
Good Luck

 

[susieandmartin]

Thanks to you all for your wonderful ideas. Cleo is doing much better with her 'screams'. We bought a bigger gate for her play area on the screened porch which allows the dogs to see her, but not get close. I cover her cage earlier in the evening and that seems to help...think she needed more quiet time than we realized.She's enjoying being out on the screened porch in her 'outside' cage during the day...here in SC it will soon be too cool for her out there so there could be another problem in the making...but we will see.

 

[LivLaughLov]

That's wonderful news! More play space, her and doggies can see each other and more sleep, sounds perfect.

I will try covering our Cockatoo's cage also. My Quakers went to sleep every night at 7:30p no matter what but this new baby might need a little encouragent. Thanks.