Parrot vs dog; who wins? (sigh)

[wrench13]

I'm not even sure where to post this. We are dog watching my daughters dog til Tues. She's a designer dog, some exotic mix, very small, silky hair and very cute, named Jojo. Well behaved at home, but she has no other pets. We have SALTY of course and a cairns terrier named Tinker. Tinker and Salty get along, Tinker is afraid of Salty and Salty will bite Tinker at the drop of a hat. But Jojo is insanely curious about the parrot. Her eyes don't leave Salty from the moment he is uncovered til nite nite time. Problem 1.. Salty spends a good amount of time on his cotton ring/Toy chain and people's shoulders every day, but falls off occasionally. The one time he fell with Jojo around it was only my wife grabbing her that prevented Jojo from getting Salty. I should mention here that Jojo previously got Max, our old be be parrot, in her mouth a few years ago, before Max passed. So I know the dog will chomp Salty if given a chance.
We are stumped. Neither animal deserves to be locked up for the majority of the day. Problem 2... last nite I happen to be up around 3AM. And I caught Jojo standing up, nosing the bottom of the cover on Salty cage. Salty woke up, startled, and fell to the bottom of the cage, thrashing about until I uncovered it, and slowly got him to UP, and softly reassuring him that he was ok, it's ok, Daddys here, got him back on his sleeping perch,covered him and listened for him to go back to sleep (lack of noise means he's asleep). So shy of staying up all nite, watching Jojo, I am stumped. And tired!

We are at the point of checking Jojo into a kennel until Tues.
We realize now that dog sitting was a bad idea, but in the past Jojo was ok; after the one incident withMax, she ignored him, but with Salty she is so focused it is unreal.

Sorry, this is more of a rant from lack of sleep and worry. I can't wait for the wife to wake up so I can grab some pillow time.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Gosh, Al, this sounds like a horrible situation, honestly. I'm all in favor of putting JoJo into a kennel as I'm really afraid for Salty's safety.

JoJo sounds determined enough to get your Salty boy, unfortunately. Not fair to him, and what a terrible fright that had to have been for him last night.

Is there any way for you to lock JoJo up in a different part of your house perhaps?

You've got to be exhausted!!

 

[Christinenc2000]

So glad Salty is ok this morning. I have two dogs One is scared of BB and the other could care less.

Not sure how I would handle it but you are right neither deserves to be locked up

 

[wrench13]

I was soo mad at Jojo, I had to restrain myself from giving her a good nose smack, but she is really cute, is just acting like a dog and is not at 'fault' here. If anyone is to blame, it's me. I should a asked her to let a neighbor or friend dog sit. I have a basement, but that's the recording studio, and I can't take the chance the dog will not chew up wires or god forbid a fiddle or guitar or a case, locked up alone all day or nite.
Anyone a safe doggy anesthetic? Some doggy dope? Puppy pills?

 

[Christinenc2000]

Is there someone you can call that will take Jojo until she comes home ?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Al, you are probably just kidding, but please, DO NOT drug JoJo in any way, shape, or form. :11:

 

[sonja]

Exotic designer mixed dogs are mutts and the fad of making designer mutts so trendy and expensive is filling our shelters with so many unwanted backyard bred designer mutts that there is no way to find homes for them all. And I'm not dispariging mutts - I have a house full of mutts. It's just the mentality that makes me a bit nuts as I have been working in shelters for 20 years. 10 years ago when a small dog came in he would be adopted almost immediately. Now shelters are overflowing with small designer dogs and it is a desperate situation. Whew, now that I've gotten that off my chest - some suggestions for your question:

Use baby gates and a dog crate to keep the dog contained and away from the bird. I would suggest a crate for overnight for the dog even without the bird's presence - a dog that is not used to a home and given free range when not supervised can cause any number of problems for himself or you. He could get into something he's not supposed to have. He could damage something you value. At a minimum I would suggest having him in a bedroom where someone is sleeping and close the door - so he is contained at night and any mischief will likely wake up the sleeping person to put a stop to things. Or let him sleep in a crate. I promise you he will be ok.

Good luck until Tuesday!

 

[Anansi]

If separating them into separate rooms isn't a possibility, how about using a long leash on Jojo? Something that would allow her some freedom of movement, yet keep her on the other side of the house relative to Salty? Then you could spend time with each pet exclusively on their own respective sides of the home.

Further, in this scenario, you would only take Salty out of his cage whenever someone could be on his side of the house with him. You know, to prevent any unscheduled flights over to Jojo's side?

Not an optimum solution, but I reckon it would serve adequately enough until Tuesday.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Talking about leashes....I just had another idea if you don't have baby gates and/or other means to block JoJo off.

Attach a leash to JoJo AND to yourself, so you are kind of 'joined by the hips', if you know what I mean. That way you always have an eye on her. I know it sounds like a PITA, but it's only temporary, and perhaps you and your wife could take turns who JoJo is attached to.

 

[Anansi]

...Use baby gates and a dog crate to keep the dog contained and away from the bird. I would suggest a crate for overnight for the dog even without the bird's presence - a dog that is not used to a home and given free range when not supervised can cause any number of problems for himself or you. He could get into something he's not supposed to have. He could damage something you value. At a minimum I would suggest having him in a bedroom where someone is sleeping and close the door - so he is contained at night and any mischief will likely wake up the sleeping person to put a stop to things. Or let him sleep in a crate. I promise you he will be ok.

Good luck until Tuesday!

Excellent suggestion by Sonja! If your house layout allows for it, Al, the baby gates would work better than my leash suggestion. No one would have to constantly untangle the dog as he gets himself wrapped around household items/furniture.

 

[Anansi]

...Attach a leash to JoJo AND to yourself, so you are kind of 'joined by the hips', if you know what I mean. That way you always have an eye on her. I know it sounds like a PITA, but it's only temporary, and perhaps you and your wife could take turns who JoJo is attached to.

This sounds like the cheapest and simplest solution. Nice, Wendy!

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Kiwibird]

If it's only until Tuesday, perhaps keep Jojo kenneled so Salty is safe but take him for extra long walks so he can still have some exercise and stimulation? Is there a reason he can't be outside in the backyard during the day where he can run around and not get into trouble?

 

[wrench13]

Just got back from shopping with a baby gate, Jojo will go in the kitchen at night. Day time, while I am working Geri will put Lil Jojo in our bedroom when Salty is out. Her whining and door scratching can be abided during the day. And Wendy I would never drug , kick or otherwise any animal... that's just my sick sense of humor coming out.. something my wife has learned to tolerate/love about me (que sappy clarinet movie sound track ). Thanks guys.

 

[Vapor]

Glad you found a solution! But remember, its your house which equals your rules. Salty is part of your family, JoJo is a guest and has to abide by your rules.

I get that dog training isn't part of your responsibility, so I wouldn't put that on you. But before I would let someone else's dog stay at my home I'd make sure that the dog understands basic commands and that it respects my directions. Kiwibird's solution IMHO would be the best direction for your short term visitor and will keep your precious Salty safe in his own home.

Best of luck with your canine guest!

 

[Kyoto]

We have the same problem with one of our cats. We have to keep Kyo in her own room, and lock the cats in the basement if we take her into the living room. It was the only compromise that could work in our household, since the cats were here first (they are my husband's and as much as I am not enjoying having them, he loves them).

Best of luck!

 

[Birdman666]

Can you put the dog in another room and close the door when the bird is out?

If he's going after the bird, it's not safe. That's a dead bird waiting to happen!