introducing new bird to family...especially the dogs

so we are picking up our new "family member " on sunday and im wondering what is the best way to introduce the dogs to him? btw we are getting a greenwing macaw~ thanks!

Welcome to the forum!

Congratulations on the new family member.

Introducing any parrot to a dog is tricky - especially a big dog. Never, ever leave them unsupervised. Dogs are naturally predators and parrots are naturally prey animals. No matter how much training you've done, there will be times that instict takes over.

Jade, the "alpha" bird, has intimidated our dogs - especially our 120 lb yellow lab. Our dogs pretty much ignore our birds, but still...we're always very watchful when the dogs are in the same room and the birds are out.

I agree with Di, slow, easy and always supervised with the dogs, I have 3, and if your lucky like me, the dogs will just act as though there were no birds in the house at all, as for the humans, also take it slow and easy, it would probably be a good idea to have him stay in his cage for the first few days, talking calmly and softly as you sit near or walk by the cage, seeing if he'll except treat through the bars, after a few days open the cage door and allow him to come out on his own, this will hopefuly alive some of the stress he may be under coming into a new environment, homecomming is just a couple days away, so good luck and if you run into anything your not sure of, the forum is only a mouse click away

thanks!

Ok having studied dog behaviour your best option is to
a: leave your dogs outside or in s different room for at least 2 days until your bird us settled in and familiar with his cage
b : putting your dogs on a lead spend the next day walking the dogs in and out of the house past but giving a wide birth of the bird cage ( correcting any attention to the bird ) this can be as simple as a jerk on the lead or a pinch on the neck whatever gets the dogs attention back on you
c : day2 of working with the dog have them lie down away from the cage ( but facing it ) at a distance where they are not reacting to the bird reward this and move a step closer and keep repeating until you can sit on a chair next to cage with dog at your feet without reaction

Remeber however this does not only depend on your dogs but also your birds reaction to the dogs we want a pleasant exprriance for all involved

You will need to repeat the last step in different variations
such ad cage door open / bird on play gym etc etc


I hope this helps any questions just message Me

Our old Big Green Macaw(which will likely outlive us) often sticks food out of the cage and bites the dog when the dog comes to lick it. It makes us laugh every time.