Birds and Yorkies
 

Hello... another newbee question

Im considering getting a yorkie puppy, and am trying to make sure Im well informed before making my decision.

I have 3 budgies and a parrotlet right now, and they all like to come out of the cage to fly around. I don't want to get a yorkie if I think I won't be able to let them out anymore... but at the same time I don't want them to get eaten!!

I read a thread about a yorkie that killed a bird from outside... so now this is my newest worry.

Thanks!

I think a bird flying freely inside is gonna be a mighty big temptation and while a dog may not catch it...it would make a chaotic situation. Mine would go NUTS if there were a bird flying around inside our house.

yorkies were originally bred as ratters in England, so im thinking birds may be a huge temptation,although its possible if they are raised together they could get along?maybe?

Well, I myself have 10 birds, 3 larger parrots and some smaller sized conure, quaker and IRN, that are allowed our everyday. For the most part I haven't had any problems recently with my 7 dogs, 5 being yorkies. My smaller birds don't have thier wings clipped, so they can fly and are safe from the dogs. A couple of my dogs do get excited when the birds fly around, but the others could care less. My bigger birds have the wings clipped so occasionly will get startled and end up on the floor, but my dogs seem to be scared to get to close and since I'm right there to pick them up. Actually the other day one of my African greys ended up on the floor in another room without me noticing and Jewel, my youngest and one (I would think might harm the bird,) just came and got my attention to let me know the bird was down. Blue, our IRN(indian ringneck parrot) actually takes over the kitchen when she comes out, she has her spot where we keep our recycling cans and walks around playing with the cans and all the dogs have learned, the hard way by her beak, to not get to close! Anyway, what I am trying to say, is yes you can have both, you just need to keep a good eye on them while they are out. If you get a puppy it will grow up with your birds and probably won't be that big of a deal to it.
Martha & crew

I would think that any puppy, because they love to play, would be excited and want to jump and play with them... but puppy who play often put everything in their mouths. Its somthing that with any dog you have to gradually let them adjust. it wont happen overnight. And im saying this about any dog breed... birds are tempting to play with...

I have a Cockateil and my Trixie would snatch poor Aussie up for lunch in a flat second if given the chance. :(

hmmmmm this is my last concern with getting a yorkie... so now Im a little confused.
I was looking at either getting a puppy or maybe one thats a little older if I can find one.

With the puppy I was thinking that I would be able to teach it that the birdies are not for eating!!!

BamaFan121s... did you get Trixie as a pupppy? Did you try teaching her to not eat the cockatiel... or did you get the cockatiel after you got Trixie??

Thanks,
Amanda

We had the cockatiel long before the dogs. We taught her just as we had with a previous dog that had no issues and would actually share food with our parakeet.:p
The other dogs, hound included, couldn't care less about the bird. We don't let the dogs in the room while she is out, just in case, but when I'm even near her cage, Trixie starts circling it and shaking in anticipation.:eek: And will 'snap' at her through the cage if given the chance (which I don't).

maybe confine the birds to a certain room?

This is the idea I was going to suggest, so yeah. Isolation is what I recommend.

Oooh boy .... I'd be careful with that one
esp if you let the birds fly around loose

Don't forget Yorkies were bred to be ratters and have an instinct to go after quick small animals
You might be able to train a puppy
but you're always going against it's natural instinct
I'd never feel safe with the dog and free flying birds in the house

I have a green cheek conure. Wings are clipped so he likes to walk around the house and can fly from up high down. Maybe I am too trusting but Stormy doesn't care of the parrot, shes scared of him. She won't go near him if she doesn't have too, on the other hand Kiwi loves to chase her and try to peak at her. Sometimes I have both on me at the same time and Kiwi will comb through Stormy's hair. lol My yorkie is 1.5 years old and I've had her a few months and no problems yet. Depends on the pup/dog and how they are brought up.

My yorkies favorite thing to do outside is to chase and bark at the birds. But when I take them to the vets office, they have a bird cage in there with lots of birds and they could care less about them. I think if they were flying in the room they would want to chase them.

When I was a kid we had a larger mixed breed dog that got the parakeet in his mouth when the bird landed within his reach. We were able to pry is mouth open and the bird was not hurt. I just wouldn't chance it unless you can put the birds in a separate room.

I think it depends on the dog. The shelter I volunteer at does a "prey test" with every dog to determine if it will be able to live with cats.

Can you give the puppy a "test run" before you commit? Maybe bring a bird to the breeder's location and see how the puppy handles it?

A puppy should be trainable, but I think you'll have an easier time if the puppy seems nervous at first, rather than murderous.

My yorkie loves to chase pigeons, but I'm not sure he actually wants to eat them. He just seems to enjoy the pursuit.