Smooshie

[quote name='sashagirl']Thank you Smooshie. I will look into the bird fairs. As for the dogs being bird aggressive, Sasha has absolutley NO prey drive. She ignores everything. Except mosquitos. She likes to try and eat them... Too funny to watch. I have seen her walk right by a cat without even noticing it. She won't even look at it... It is strange. Felony is still a puppy. I would always keep them seperated when not under strict supervision. Is it ok to leave them outside, say on a screened porch all day? Even in Florida? Is it too hot for them? And does it get too cold in the winter. Would it be better to keep it inside? It is going to be a while as I need to wait until I buy a house... But I am interested in knowing. Thanks :wink:[/quote] LOL...Loki strikes fear into the hearts of all geckos :roll: (Of course he NEVER catches them,but I've seen him practically climb a TREE while chasing one...WAY too funny to watch...oh and FROGS...he hops along behind them and tries to grab them......silly dog....other than that, he's pretty easy going too. He used to like to chase wild birds,but ever since he stopped stalking my parrot, he seems to have no interest in the wild birds either (yay!) My Macaw actually prefers to be outside....we keep her on our screened porch.But we also have a cage in the house and a bird stand for times when she's inside. Parrots are very social...in the wild they live in flocks so they see their human family as their "flock" (not unlike the "pack" theory with dogs). They like to be in the middle of all the activity, and don't do well if they're confined to their cages,or left alone all the time. Even when Indie is outside she likes to keep an eye on whats going on IN the house thru the sliding glass door. Birds can be kept outside in FL as long as they are NOT in direct sunlight, or exposed to the elements (rain, wind ,etc)and you need to be sure nothing can get at them (neighborhood cats, etc),and during the hottest part of the day they should be spritzed with water so they can cool off. India actually LOVES to get in the shower with me...lol. The only times I've had to move India inside because of cold is when there's a bad tropical storm or when the temperature drops in December and January....usually as soon as it starts to drop down into the low 50's,I bring her in or at LEAST rig up a heat lamp and put a blanket over her cage....drafts can be very dangerous to birds.

Sasha, I don't think cockatoos are necessarily more WORK(as far as physical care) than other large parrots, but they seem to be the most demanding of your time and attention and are certainly one of the NOISIEST birds. But I'm no expert :) Do you know if your dogs are bird aggressive?? I had this problem with my Boxer at first. I assume, like a Boxer, Pitbulls have a higher than normal prey drive, so if you were to get a bird you would have to keep them separated and only introduce them under strict supervision. I still never leave Loki in a room alone with India (my bird)...he doesn't show any aggression towards her anymore, but it would take only moments for him to kill her if the notion ever entered his head, even if he didn't mean to harm her, all it would take is one swat from his paw or a well aimed jump and he'd crush her.....and lets face it, a colorful,flapping, noisy bird makes for a pretty enticing "play toy" lol. ALL birds demand a LOT of time and attention, but like dogs ,you'd need to find one that suits your personality and lifestyle the best. I think Hazel would be better at recommending a species to you as most of my experience has been with Macaws. If a Macaw is what you're after ,in my opinion the Blue and Gold is the best choice as they seem to be the most playful and easily adaptable of the large Macaws. My B&G is a cuddler,and even though she is bonded to me, she will go to almost anybody. I suggest that if you're really serious about getting a bird ,that you leave your checkbook at home and go check out a few bird fairs (there are listings for upcoming fairs in your area in the "bird" section of the classifieds...or in the back of "BirdTalk" magazine). You'll find examples of most pet species there....talk to the breeders and handle the birds yourself.....its a good way to figure out what you like and don't like and how comfortable you are around large parrots. DON'T buy on impulse!!! Really research the bird you're interested in before you buy, and make sure you're up to taking on a lifetime commitment....large parrots can outlive humans. Good luck! :D

[quote name='sashagirl']Hazel- You are absolutely right about breathing being like drinking. And when you are walking down the street, it feels as if you could swim right through the air... And it is so hot here it is unbelievable... Smooshie- Where in Florida are you located? I live in Altamonte Springs, which is about 10 minutes out of Orlando..[/quote] Sasha....I'm in Seminole.....just outside of St. Pete :D

Hazel, Oh! you must mean the Parrot Jungle in Miami....yeah I hear its great....I haven't been there yet but I plan to check it out sometime.....Busch Gardens in Tampa has a beautiful parrot exhibit as well. There's nothing wrong with my Macaw.....its the KIDS around here that make me crazy!!! We converted our Lanai into a playroom for our bird......her California Cage is out there....and her favorite playstand,plus a swing and a couple of coiled Booda ropes hanging from the ceiling for her to swing on.....she LOVES it out there..its completely screened in,and I hung roll down blinds so that she can have quiet time when she needs it..plus it has plenty of bird safe plants and palms to give her a "jungle" atmosphere" lol...and we can keep an eye on each other thru the sliding patio door. the problem is that every time I turn my back the neighborhood kids are at the screen door messing with her (I've caught them yelling at her and waving sticks at her....grrr)....she's always been a little leery of kids, but NOW she's to the point that she starts SHREIKING at the top of her lungs every time she SEES a child (and there are a TON of children around here)...its gotten to where she has to spend most of her time in the house with me...OR I have to sit out in the lanai with her to keep her quiet. I've warned the kids to stay away from her, but kids are kids and they just keep coming back <sigh> She used to have no problem spending time by herself, and would entertain herself for hours happily, now she seems to be developing separation anxiety, and I'm sure its due to the kids stressing her out when she's outside. And the dog doesn't deter them, because I don't let him out in the lanai with the bird alone....so he just barks at them thru the door,and now they've started teasing HIM as well......oh well, at least he alerts me that they're out there so I can chase them off .....parents around here have never heard of supervision, I guess...... Sorry for rambling...I just had to vent :wink:

[quote name='hazelhover']Just to let you know... I let my husband train her, I have no idea what he did (and I was right there) but all we used was one of those dogy harnesses (not the leader) and he would pull the leash and tell her heal, when she responded he would praise her... I didn't see alot of it because I was chasing the kids around the park at the time, but now you say heal and she does so! Still working on heal with distractions like other dogs, but it's nice to walk her and not be walked by her. BTW he did not yank her around or yell at her... I guess he did Koko our last dog as well and she almost never needed a leash as "heal" would bring her to walk by your side... maybe he's a dog whisperer :o[/quote] LOL, hazelhover.....maybe I should send MY dog to him too.....awwww, but you're way over on the other side of the country.....hmmmm, maybe if you just put him on the PHONE with my dog,he could work his magic :wink: NOW, if I could just find a PARROT whisperer........<wishful thinking...lol)>

I agree with Bullboxers...its all a matter of personal preference...some things work better with some dogs than others... I have heard nothing but good things from Boxer owners who use no-pull harnesses....Most boxer people I talk to swear they are the only thing that works with their out-of-control pullers (lol...why is it that Boxers seem to think they were meant to be sled dogs??? :wink: ) Right now I am using a Gentle Leader with Loki(and its working wonderfully),but I would have no qualms about trying a harness if I needed to switch. I had the same problem with check/choke chains as Bullboxers did.....it just didn't seem to matter to Loki that he was choking himself silly.....he just kept right on dragging me. I'm not saying that I think check chains are bad or don't work....they just aren't the right training aid for me....maybe once he walks without pulling I'll switch to a check chain. Anyways Loki is doing much better...he only pulls now if he sees another dog that he wants to play with (and we're working on that).I can even walk him without using the gentle leader the entire time now...like Bullboxers ,I just attach the leash to his regular collar when he's walking calmly, and switch back to the GL if he starts to get out of hand. As for pinch/prong collars, I have heard many good things about them as well and would try one IF I had a trainer teach me to use it properly.

Oh...btw, did you receive the Private message I sent you regarding the American Bulldog? I'm not sure if it went thru... :)

Its true that Boxers aren't a breed that's KNOWN for longevity,and they are subject to quite a few health problems,however due to more responsible breeding...and with proper care and good nutrition,it seems their lifespan is increasing......I've known quite a few Boxers who have lived well into their teens. Most current publications post their lifespan as 10-14 yrs now...rather than 8-10.

unfortunately Stiff, I think Rotties have had a bad rep for a long time...I seem to remember bad publicity about Rotts back before Pits became the "banned breed of choice" <sigh> At my apartment complex there is a breed ban on: Pits,Pit crosses,GSD's,Rott's, Chows, and Dobes.....I'm just WAITING for them to tell me I have to get rid of my BOXER! (grrrr)

Oooops hazelhover, you make a good point and I stand corrected :D ...PetSmart IS the exception to the rule......but since I practically LIVE at PetSmart,I sometimes forget its actually a Pet Store...I don't put it into the same category as some of the less than savory pet stores I've been to. As for wild caught birds....even though its illegal...there's ALWAYS someone willing to take the risk :roll: ...my 21 yr old niece recently bought a Senegal parrot from a privately owned pet store(against MY advice) The bird was completely unmanageable....VERY timid of people...sooooo, I went back with her to the pet store and inquired about the bird's history and ask why a supposedly hand raised bird was so aggressive. The woman at the petstore informed me that it actually WASN'T hand raised,but was wild caught...then she produced an import certificate and admitted that the bird was 15 yrs old (my neice had been told it was a "baby") and that it had been sold numerous times previously and had been brought BACK (grrrrr....) no WONDER the poor thing was so vicious, being bounced around like that and never socialized properly! Anyway, my niece still has the bird and (she is the most patient girl in the world) has made some progress with him. oh...and since I'm wildly off on another bird tangent AGAIN, to anyone thinking of adding a bird to their family,please also keep in mind their lifespan.....smaller birds (cockatiels) can live into their 20's and the larger parrots can live 50 to 80 yrs or more!!! Its a big commitment!...I keep telling my 4 yr old son that India (our Macaw) is his "inheritance" lol and I'm sure I'm not far from the truth :wink: NOW to make this DOG related...I'm off to walk the fur kid...........ciao!

[quote name='sashagirl']I want a Cockatoo so badly, but my boyfriend says birds are too loud.. :x[/quote] Not to discourage ANYONE from wanting a bird(I'm a huge bird advocate :) ) but they ARE loud....'Toos and Macaws are the loudest,and if you think your DOGS are stubborn ,they've got NOTHING on a parrot!! eeeek! K is right...you really have to be careful about selecting a breeder (NEVER buya parrot from a pet store)and be sure to get a hand raised baby, as opposed to one that is wild caught (I think that is SO cruel!!! :( ), They can be very difficult to socialize and are selective of who they accept....as a matter of fact,large parrots (especially amazons) have been known to literally fall in love with their favorite person,and will display mating rituals when that person is in the room...LOL....the downside to this is that they see other people and pets as a potential threat to their "perceived mate" and can be violently protective of them.......I knew one woman who's amazon parrot would "dive bomb" her boyfriend everytime he came in the room.They can be very difficult to handle.... When I first got my Boxer it was rough...I had to introduce him to the Macaw VERY slowly,because she was very jealous of him(and completely unafraid), and he (being a boxer) has a high prey drive,and saw her as a potential meal.....had to keep them separated for a long time........They have accepted each other now though,and have agreed on some sort of "pack order"....sooooo things are going smoothly.... Sheesh....talk about OFF TOPIC....yikes...I keep forgetting I'm on a dog forum, and here I am off on a lonnnnng tangent about my macaw.....sorry! I could brag all day about ALL my babies :wink:

[quote name='hazelhover']We only have one dog... my poor Hazel with the stupid elizabethan collar, and she looks even more unhappy now that she's awake! She's 5 months and dark blue (or lavender as I like to call it) merel with her face half black split down the middle. She's a smaller dog and only about 25-30 lb right now... but she's still growing. I also have 4 fish tanks, one a full blown 60 gal reef tank, coral and all (i am propogating for local stores to save reefs! :D ) Two birds, one a sedate and lovely diamond dove, and the other who's in league with smooshies macaw is a greencheek conure (you aint seen nothen till you've seen a grown man cowed by a 4 ounce bird!!! :lol: :lol: ) BTW my mom had an eclectus, and she really was a rottie! She would chase people out of her house if she thought she didn't like them! (of course I think a rott would have a lot more manners then rosie ever did!!!) :roll: :roll: :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol:[/quote] LOL...yup...its almost embarrassing to admit, but my Macaw IS the self proclaimed "Alpha" in our family....she won't back down to ANYTHING......oh...AND she growls.....scares the HELL out of the pizza delivery guy :wink:

Are your dogs neutered? This tends to help curb aggression in male dogs.Good luck :) I hope you can resolve the situation soon...while the pup is still small enough to manage,or you might be in for some big problems.

Hmmmm....I'm with the majority on this one...I don't think its necessary to deliberately train a dog to bite in order for it to be a good deterant.....as someone else mentioned,most dogs if bonded to their families will be protective when they sense the need to be. I think a lot of people(not directed at anyone...just a general observation) misuse the status of having an "attack" dog and it ends up causing all sorts of problems for that particular breed's reputation..... JMHO

[quote name='Anonymous']Why do stupid people always defend dogs that attack? Regarding the recent posts about dog attacks, by Pits, Bullmastiffs etc. How can the owner(s) of such dogs be blamed for the attacks on innocent people as the dogs have been used for fighting, baiting throughout the history of the breeds and are therefore more likely to attack people than say a Labrador or a Chiuahua whose pasts has never been associated with fighting, baiting etc and therefore are not aggressive and don't attack people .unlike the breeds mentioned previously? A child can take a toy away from a bull or mastiff breed and will be attacked no doubt, but take a toy away from a lab or a chiuahua and they won't attack the child. People need to face facts and realise that supposing their pit, rottweiler or whatever seems the most sweetest thing to them and will never hurt a fly they are wrong and need to stop denying themselves of aggressive nature that those dogs could and DO possess.[/quote] Wow guest! what a silly ,(not to mention, absolutely asinine statement)....I think you've officially won today's award for supreme ignorance!.....ANY dog (yesss,EVEN a "Pit" :roll: ) can be properly socialized and trained to become a "Canine Good Citizen"....just like ANY dog (even the gentlest,most even-tempered of breeds) can be ruined by bad ownership and poor handling...making them unpredictable and aggressive...I understand your reasoning about some Breeds being predestined to be fighters,however I think a dog's environment and the quality of ownership have EVERYTHING to do with whether or not this trait shows itself....as a matter of fact,it seems to me that "Pitbulls" (for example),being a fighting breed,were originally bred to be DOG aggressive...NOT human aggressive,so their history seems irrelevent when it comes to human "attacks"...I FIRMLY believe that People are the problem...NOT dogs........just my .02 :-?

Jenn, Ooops!..My mistake :D ...there was a thread going recently about Pit/Boxer mixes(BullBoxers),so I just assumed BoxerBulls were the same thing. I've never met an American Bulldog IRL,so I don't know much about them (I've just seen pics)....I'm SUCH a sucker for ANY type of "Bully" breed though (must be the "smushie faces,and almost "human" personalities...lol)....I'd be interested to see a pic of your BoxerBulls sometime....do you dock them or leave their tails natural??

EXACTLY Gizmo...you hit it on the head!!! EVERY dog owner SHOULD think their particular breed or breeds are #1....its part of what makes a person a good dog owner....dedication and loyalty to your four legged friend(s)...after all, thats what they give to YOU :D

welcome Jenn! I'm new here too....nice to see yet another Boxer addict:) Just curious,since you share your home with both Boxers and Bull Boxers....Do you find that there's a difference in temperament and personality between the two?? Before I got my Boxer, I almost adopted a young Bull Boxer from the humane society, however the apartment complex where I live has a strictly enforced breed ban that includes pits AND pit crosses.....he seemed like a really sweet dog though...typical wiggly boxer personality...just stockier with a long tail. I felt really bad having to leave him there :( It just seems so unfair that an entire breed of dog(including mixes of that breed) get tagged with such a horrible reputation because of bad ownership and unplanned breeding! I hope somebody saw thru the negativity surrounding his Pitbull bloodline and gave him a good home.

I'm new here and I know this topic is a few weeks old ,but I just wanted to post my experience with Boxers and head collars in case anyone was still interested.....My boy is a rescue and had NO training or leash manners when I got him....at over half my body weight, he pulled me all over the place on our walks...NOT the most pleasant experience) the rescue organization where I got him, and several trainers I spoke with recommended the "Gentle Leader" and it has worked WONDERS...it took him a couple of days to get used to it, but he hasn't even ATTEMPTED to pull me since....as for Halti's...I'm not an authority, but several boxer and bostom terrier owners I spoke with have told me that the Halti brand headcollar does not work very well on short nose breeds as they can slip it off easily. One thing I DO suggest to anyone considering a head collar for ANY breed of dog is to have it properly fitted by a veterinarian or trainer,as it will only work to its optimum potential, and be comfortable for your dog if its adjusted EXACTLY right.Hope this helps! :D oh and my SECOND choice in training collars would be the pinch/prong collar...it looks intimidating,BUT it is effective and NOT cruel if used properly (its very important to learn how to use ANY training aid,from someone who has experience BEFORE using it on your dog!)

why thank you,Beagle...I stumbled across this site yesterday...lurked around...posted a few replies as a guest,but figured,if I'm gonna stick around, I should at least introduce myself :D

Hi all...I'm new here :) I am proudly owned by Loki...an 18 month old classic brindle Boxer boy.....55 lbs and growing (he was a rescue who was neglected by his former <clears throat> "owners"). Oh, I also am "mom" to India: a 2 yr old B&G Macaw that THINKS she's a Rottweiler....does that count??? :wink: