Dog vs. Parakeet

**Saphira and Snuggs** · 12-03-2005, 03:30 PM

A while back, my dog Snuggles tragically tried to play with my parakeet Hedwig. Sadly, it turned out to be fatal for Hedwig. What do you think caused her to attack her? She actually was sitting in her cage w/ mate. Snuggles is an older dog, around 8 years. She's never really done anything wrong until now. Do you think there's any reason why Snuggles would do this?

**Jessika** · 12-03-2005, 03:38 PM

Don't let your dog in the room when your bird is out. If your dog will be in the room, have your bird in the cage.

**Saphira and Snuggs** · 12-03-2005, 03:46 PM

That's the problem... Ocean's been grouchy since Hedwig died. He won't let us hold him or anything, and doesn't go in often, only for eating/getting water. And when we come in he flies away. Normally he flies to fast for Snuggles but then again, so was Hedwig. And also, I'm worried about why Snuggles would take Hedwig. She's not a puppy wanting to chew on something or anything, she's actually very old.

**Jessika** · 12-03-2005, 03:49 PM

Wait, you don't have him in a cage??? If you can't catch him I suggest buying a net with an extended pole and catch him to put him back into his cage.

Or am I misunderstanding??

If you've already have problems with your dog playing "too roughly" with a bird in the past, you NEED to keep him in a cage or close him off in a room your dog does not have access to.

**Saphira and Snuggs** · 12-03-2005, 03:57 PM

Yes, he is now in a room to himself, but Snuggles with the help of my other dog can push the door open. This is the only room in our house where he can stay by himself without danger of sharp objects that we cannot take down.

Ocean has places to perch around the room, but we can't take them down, because they include little shelves. We feel he's safe up there but what I'm really wondering is why Snuggles would decide to attack Hedwig when she was in the cage. Is it a behavioral issue, or what?

**Jessika** · 12-03-2005, 04:19 PM

Well it is your responsibility to either put him in a cage, or keep your dogs out of the room. You are smarter than your dogs. If they know how to open the door, figure out how to LOCK it so they can't get it open.