I Hate Birds.

[Shade]

< begin rant >

So, my mom's got this problem where she has her entire personal identity wrapped up into being a mom. Now that her kids are mostly grown, she feels like she doesn't have an identity anymore. She tried to fix it by getting dogs, but dogs aren't dependent enough to suit her. So, she decided to get a parrot. A Double-Yellowhead amazon. Despite my protests (I'm kinda scared of birds... they go after my earrings) she gets it anyway. When she brought it home today, she thought it would be a good idea to introduce it to my dog, Kiska. Kiska is a purebred Siberian Husky, and also the center of my universe. Naturally, Kiska acts in stereotypical sib fashion and lunges at the bird, getting it into her mouth before my brothers beat her down. This all happened when I wasn't even home to supervise, I was at work.

So now, my dog is "no longer a member of the family" because she's "too wild." despite the fact that she was here for a year and a half and was just fine before that stupid bird got here. Kiska isn't even allowed in the house anymore, except in her cage. She used to be a family dog, and I think it's complete and utter bullsh** that she's been kicked out of the house over that stupid bird.

I'm honestly considering taking my dog and my snakes and going to live with a friend. The only thing I depend on my parents for at this point is housing and food, and honestly I can pay for that myself.


this whole situation is absolutely ridiculous. I am not going to lose my dog over another one of my mom's retarded fads.

< /end rant >

 

[dr73]

The only thing I depend on my parents for at this point is housing and food, and honestly I can pay for that myself.

I have never met a 16 year old that could pay for food an housing. I think you are forgetting your electrict, phone, cable, car, gas for car, insurance etc. etc. If you ask me I would stay at home an work it out but when I was 16 I had life all figured out . or so I thought. Do yourself a big favor an stay at home. Give your mom an the bird time to calm down. :cheers:

 

[desertanimal]

Sorry to hear that. Families can be really frustrating, especially when you are in a childhood position that lacks any power. Perhaps you can get your family to agree to some sort of compromise. Maybe the dog can be allowed in the house as long as you are home. In that case, you would have to be in good control of the dog. I don't think the dog acted like a "sib," but like a Husky not trained to behave around birds. Your dog would no doubt eat the bird if given the chance, and that's obviously not ok. It was a stupid idea to "introduce" the bird to the dog without having the dog on a leash and having someone in control of that leash, but what's done is done. When it comes down to it, you don't own the house, and your mom's pets should be allowed to exist peacefully there just as yours should be. In this case, that means that you have to take the responsibility of teaching your dog to ignore the bird. That's easier said than done and will take a lot of work on your part. (We have a dog that was introduced to our cats as an adult and it's been a year and we still have to watch him like a hawk around one of the cats. He's under voice control now, and they can be inches away from each other if we're around, but he'll still chase that cat if we're out of the room and the cat tries to go somewhere. ) Hopefully, if you can demonstrate that you'll take responsibility for that end of things, your family will be reasonable and grant the dog a pardon.

I know how it is to have family members that act like idiots with the pets. My mom came to town for a visit right after we got the new big dog and I told her that if she wanted to have the dog out of his crate when we weren't around, she had to make sure he didn't get near the cats. So she would let him out to hang out with him, and then if one of the cats came out, she would call the cat over. Obviously, he chased the cats and was rewarded with an exciting time for doing so. I wanted to kill her. I think that was the first time I ever yelled at my mom, and I was 31.

 

[Hypancistrus]

Siberian Huskies are GREAT dogs... with an exceptionally strong prey drive. :shrugs: Totally not your dogs fault... your mom was WAY out of line. Do you have a kennel outside for your Siberian? Make sure she is safe and cannot get out of your yard at least.

Is there any room in your house that could be the birds room? At least when the husky is inside? Give it time to cool down, I say, and then try to reason with your mom. Remember, too, it's not the birds fault that your mom clearly doesn't understand canine behavior or behavioral traits of huskies in particular.

What I find funny is that your mom chose a bird that is very "husky like" when compared to other birds- amazons are incredibly strong willed animals that have a tendency to "take over" unless their owners are more dominant than they and capable and willing to express such dominance. Suggest that your mom purchase and read Mattie Sue Athan's two books on parrot behavior- Guide to Companion Parrots and Guide to a Well-behaved Parrot. Amazons can quickly become problem animals if not handled correctly from the beginning, and are one of the most frequently seen parrot groups in rescue.

 

[bill38112]

I had a siberian when I was a kid. I had the same trouble as you when he killed my sister's pet duck. I now have an Amazon (also a double yellow head) that I love dearly. Last week I was letting him climb around the outside of his cage when my wife's toy poodle leaped a good three feet off the floor and pulled out four of Julio's tail feathers.

New rule...Julio only comes out when Fannie (the poodle) is outside. When you have a multiple animal household, you have to make compromises. If you are going to keep you dog, you have to take responsibility for him. Either you teach him to respect the members of the household (including the parrot), or confine him where he can't get in trouble, or you get rid of him.

This wasn't the dog's fault, he's your responsibility. If you can't manage that, you shouldn't make plans to be living on your own. Try persuading your mom to give you and the dog another chance.

 

[Rottingliz]

Now that in my opinion, is horribly lame. Birds, IMO are entirely terrifying. Yes, I've dealt with a few 5-7 feet boas and a few pythons...and of all things to scare me....its a bird. -.- Now honestly? ...The entire 'introduce Mr.Birdy to Mr.Husky' idea is just...foolish on your mom's part. One the dog should have been restrained on a leash or behind a gate of some sort as is typical to do when introducing ANYTHING to a dog. -.- Secondly....just having the bird in its cage while the dog is cruising around would have had the canine noticing its new 'prey'. Even if your mom doesn't realize it, your poor pup probably either saw it as prey, or a threat to its family unit/"pack" or both.

...Which that resulting in the dog being put outside? Completely stupid.

If anything the bird should be isolated into one room, like a bedroom with a closing door where it has its own cage and all that and you rotate where the dog is and where the bird is. The dog gets time with the family, the bird gets time with the family...not 'Lets kick the poor pup outside'.

Which...16 years old and ready to move out? Trust me if you're gonna do it, you better have some cash saved and that pal? Better be a really good friend ^^'. Otherwise if you can handle it and you've got it covered and some cushion money to save your arse just in case? I'd say go for it if this problem continues.

Trust me after coming out of a drunken/obsessive mother household where she realizes that her children are all grown up and she needs something to 'need' her...just do what you feel is right, if you've got the funds for it.

^^ Wish ya luck, let us all know how that turns out.

 

[Kitty]

... If anything the bird should be isolated into one room, like a bedroom with a closing door where it has its own cage ...

I'd like to suggest that really nifty "room" with the bird-sized picture window, nice perching rack, interior dome light, and temperature-controlled dial at the top. (j/k, btw)

Bummer that you and the dog are having to suffer for the lack of knowledge. I hope things calm down enough to get you both out of the proverbial dog-house soon.

 

[waldo]

If anything the bird should be isolated into one room, like a bedroom with a closing door where it has its own cage and all that and you rotate where the dog is and where the bird is. The dog gets time with the family, the bird gets time with the family...not 'Lets kick the poor pup outside'.

Its not that easy with a bird, they are as needy as a human baby. If it was isolated it would quickly develop behavior problems.

I'm going to be the jerk here and say that the husky should have been taught not to go after other animals a long time ago. I have doxies, I also have a bird. The bird is the boss here, the doxie have been taught from day one to leave ALL other animals alone even though they have a very strong prey drive. I also have a pit bull that will let the bird, mice, rats, etc... walk on his body, he was not raised with any other animals but was taught manners from puppy hood.

Yes your mother was wrong introducing them like that but in her place I would also have put the dog outside too. Is the dog really yours? did you pay for it? house train it? pay for food/vet bills? if not then technically its your moms.
My 16 yr old daughter has a cat, if he attacked my bird he would go to the pound, case closed, but the cat was also taught manners and leaves the bird alone. My daughter has trained him well.

 

[doovoo]

I grew up with Siberians (my parents were going to race them but never got 'round to it), just lost my Timberwolf/Husky hybrid (rescue animal) after 17 years, and currently have a nine month old male (pure) Siberian.

To say that I have a large place in my heart for this particular breed would be an understatement...

But Huskies are 'special'. Kind-hearted, gentle, intelligent, but with notions and agendas all their own.

So stated, it was indeed your mother who should've done a bit of homework before heading down to the local pet store for what sounds to be an impulse buy. Birds are long-lived, and can be far more difficult to manage than a properly acclimated Husky. Not to mention the noise, etc.

The dog was there already (she had obviously welcomed it in at some point) and she (apparently) should have understood the temperament of this breed by now. Knowing this, the bird was an absolutely ludicrous acqusition.

What's the solution? Don't know. But your Husky was acting no differently than your mother should have expected him to in that situation.

Could the dog be trained to co-habitate peacefully with the bird? Absolutely. Huskies are always eager to please. But it doesn't sound as though he'll be given that chance.

Sucks.

:awcrap:

 

[Shade]

Its not that easy with a bird, they are as needy as a human baby. If it was isolated it would quickly develop behavior problems.

I'm going to be the jerk here and say that the husky should have been taught not to go after other animals a long time ago. I have doxies, I also have a bird. The bird is the boss here, the doxie have been taught from day one to leave ALL other animals alone even though they have a very strong prey drive. I also have a pit bull that will let the bird, mice, rats, etc... walk on his body, he was not raised with any other animals but was taught manners from puppy hood.

Yes your mother was wrong introducing them like that but in her place I would also have put the dog outside too. Is the dog really yours? did you pay for it? house train it? pay for food/vet bills? if not then technically its your moms.
My 16 yr old daughter has a cat, if he attacked my bird he would go to the pound, case closed, but the cat was also taught manners and leaves the bird alone. My daughter has trained him well.

The dog is technically mine. I paid for it.

My dog is not in the wrong here. It did not need to be taught not to go after animals because we didn't have any small animals for it to go after. She is a smart, trainable dog. She can learn to ignore the bird. What I'm angry about is my parents jumping to conclusions and not giving her the chance she deserves. She was here first, and now she's being shoved out of her family. That is not fair to the dog.

 

[doovoo]

Is the dog really yours? did you pay for it? house train it? pay for food/vet bills? if not then technically its your moms.

I've bought and paid for countless Christmas, birthday, etc. gifts for my son over the years ...doesn't make them mine per se.

Besides, we're not talking about a commodity - it's a living thing.

Technically.

 

[desertanimal]

I agree, Waldo, that the dog should have been taught not to go after animals a long time ago. But, most dog trainers would probably say that dogs with strong prey drives have to be trained with each new prey animal in each new setting. It's awfully hard to teach the dog not to grab a bird if the dog hasn't ever seen one before. My dog is trained, now, not to chase cats indoors or out, and he's pretty good with it. But if a bird came into the house, I'm sure he'd go for it. He doesn't get to chase birds because we don't have any and I don't let him do so outside, but I'm sure he would if one came in the house. I'm not planning to go out and find a bird just to train him not to bother them, and that's not unreasonable on my part. It WOULD be unreasonable for me to walk in and throw a bird in his face and expect him not to be interested in it, as was done in this case. And it's ridiculous to then punish the dog for doing what any idiot could have predicted he would do (and any idiot could have taken precautions against). If the family had waited to introduce the bird and dog until someone was there specifically to use the situation to teach the dog NOT to show interest in the bird, things would have gone much better and could have continued to go well. Instead, the family essentially taught the dog that birds are, indeed, fun and tasty, and it will be more difficult to teach the dog to ignore the bird than it ever would have been had it been done the right way the first time.

 

[Plissken]

You can't stop an animal being an animal. Cats and dogs are predators. It's the owner's responsibility to ensure that cats/dogs can't get to the other pets in the house... not give out silly punishements when they do. Your mum should have been much more careful bringing a new animal in to your dog's territory.

Sorry to hear about this. I hope you can come to some kind of solution with your parents. :shrugs:

 

[diamondlil]

I've had my pitbull x girl 10 years now, and due to the number of small animals we've had having supervised indoor play (rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and gerbils) She was taught the default 'down and stay' to stop her disgracing herself. I already had the rabbits in a large indoor cage when she was a puppy, and she so plainly wanted to kill them that I put a lot of work into that aspect of her training. By the time we had the degus she was 5, and she'd learnt to place herself in the 'down and stay' away from the temptation. That still meant she was drooling with the thought of catching them though.
When my son's cockateil is out and about now, again Ellie is smart enough to put herself away from the temptation, but I've drummed it into my boys how much supervision is needed and that Ellie is fighting her instincts every second there's a small furry or feathered mouthful handy. I'd never put our dog in the position where an accident could happen, despite her age and all the training she's still a dog and still a risk to anything 'prey-sized'.
Hopefully as the situation in your home calms down your parents will realise that a dog can (under supervision and control) be taught that 'prey' in the home is not to be touched. I'd agree that the dog lived there first but maybe if you start concentrating on the training your family can come around to a more reasonable stance?

 

[carolinacorn69]

Apologies for saying this but your mom was totally out of line.
And I think you should stop blaming it all on the bird for your dog being kicked out. What do you expect a Husky to do when you offer it an expecting treat!
I hope the situation is sorted for yoursake and the animals in your household!

 

[susang]

The dog is technically mine. I paid for it.
My dog is not in the wrong here. It did not need to be taught not to go after animals because we didn't have any small animals for it to go after. She is a smart, trainable dog. She can learn to ignore the bird. What I'm angry about is my parents jumping to conclusions and not giving her the chance she deserves. She was here first, and now she's being shoved out of her family. That is not fair to the dog.

Please don't tell my grandkids I'm agreeing with a 16 yo lol. I believe you are right about your dog and hopefully after a bit of time you can try to reason with your parents, and yes before you say it, it is not fair to your dog. Some things take time.
As for moving out it's easy to say they only give you a roof over your head and food, but is your friend willing to do this for you? Is your friend willing to take care of you when you are ill, to cook for you and clean up after you? Moving away from home is a big deal, parents no matter how irrational they seem now are usually more than a roof and food. If your parents are abusing you, which you didn't say, that would be differant. I'm just saying think about it, because once you do it you don't want to have to go back with your tail between your legs. The rules about your dog could be much worse than. JMHO, susan

 

[v_various]

at 16, you probably don't have as much money as you think you do. Grocceries? Utilities? Rent? are you getting a car? Going to college? What if you need dental work? What if your dog gets sick? Petty cash, for things like comic books and video games and clothing (well, that's what I spend money on, anyway...)

As for family members being idiots, you have it easy. My mom basically did everything wrong when buying a dog, and then blamed Duff (who was still a puppy, really) when he chewed the floor after being left alone in a room for a few hours with no toys.

She dumped him at the SPCA a few hours later. I wouldn't expect a 1 year old child to know flooring isn't a toy, let alone a puppy. But of course it was his fault.
/rant

So, work with the small mercies you've been granted, maybe you can get them lighten up. Pick up a library book that says something about huskies and other animals, make them see it's just what to expect from the breed. But try to be rational and as diplomatic as possible, as soon as they get defensive you loose them.

goodluck.

 

[Emanon]

make peace... however that comes... graduate high school... find a place where you can take your animals... move out... then see how you could have known they did something you did not like (it is her house though so...) and long for those days where you had no rent, food, or utilities bills... the animals will be the least of your concerns.

Your disdain for your family is hopefully just the anger of the incident. If not... study and work hard... it is hard to pay for yourself as a youth... i know, have a little experience in that area.

it stinks that she did something that does not jibe with someone in the house having a dog... man they are nice letting you have a dog in their house, they are not making you get rid of the dog, just demoting it for now. Patience, good behavior, and kind words will go a long way.

See if you can get over your fear or birds, it will help both parties... then you can find a way for co-existence.

 

[desertanimal]

...then see how you could have known they did something you did not like (it is her house though so...) and long for those days where you had no rent, food, or utilities bills... the animals will be the least of your concerns.

I know this wasn't the entire content of your response, and I'm not picking on you in particular, but this is a sentiment that is often expressed when kids post to rant about their families, and I wanted to respond to that sentiment.

I have never, NEVER, not ONCE longed for the days when I lived at home and had no rent, food, or utility bills. Not even when I was using my $200 "credit line" on my bankcard to buy beans and rice for dinner. Never. Being a kid again would be horrible. It's so frustrating to be a kid, never being in control of decisions that affect you, having to relinquish them to people who can't seem to act in reasonable, rational ways. I'm not saying that you (plural) might not long for those days, I'm just saying that not everybody does, and not everybody will, and I still find it as irritating that many people assume that everybody will feel that way as I would have when I was 16. When I was 16, I knew I wouldn't feel that way when I grew up, and I was right. I never did.

 

[susang]

I have never, NEVER, not ONCE longed for the days when I lived at home and had no rent, food, or utility bills. Not even when I was using my $200 "credit line" on my bankcard to buy beans and rice for dinner. Never. Being a kid again would be horrible. It's so frustrating to be a kid, never being in control of decisions that affect you, having to relinquish them to people who can't seem to act in reasonable, rational ways. I'm not saying that you (plural) might not long for those days, I'm just saying that not everybody does, and not everybody will, and I still find it as irritating that many people assume that everybody will feel that way as I would have when I was 16. When I was 16, I knew I wouldn't feel that way when I grew up, and I was right. I never did.

Wow, I have the same sentiments, only I took drastic measures to get away from home. In the end it all worked out just took me a little longer to reach my goals. But never once did I look back. susan