possessiveness and roommates

[McBird]

this morning I found out what Kristen (the woman who messaged me to take Leaf since he was attacking her boyfriend) was talking about when she messaged me about Leaf attacking her boyfriend. Bow was chilling on the couch (she was allowed out while Soap was kenneled because Soap is prey drivey and Bow doesn't care, she's already been chastised for looking and does her BEST to ignore him). well, Bow got off the couch and Leaf flew after/attacked her, then flew back to me. so I kenneled Bow and oh I am so glad that it was Bow and not Soap because Soap would've turned and gone after him. scared the life out of me. but now I'm going to have to talk to the vet about how to train that out of him (if that's possible) so he's not super uncomfortable if I ever have someone over and he doesn't think that the person I have over is going to take me away from him PLUS I don't want him attacking my roommate.

please try not to be too hard on me about how I had my dog out, I'm already kicking myself and feeling super guilty and beating myself up about it. :'( I'm just so glad he didn't get hurt and I've got both the dogs in their kennels and I'm going to be asking the vet about behvavioural things as well when I call to make the appointment. I know I did a no-no by leaving a dog out but I didn't anticipate this and I'm feeling super bad that I didn't just go ahead and take precautions over it. however, it did give me an insight to his behaviour and I hate that it was that but I also am glad it wasn't a visitor to my house or my roommate.

could this be because I'm his third home? could it be hormones? or maybe it could just be who he is? he's an eight year old Sun Conure (birthday is today!!).

 

[JLcribber]

but now I'm going to have to talk to the vet about how to train that out of him (if that's possible) so he's not super uncomfortable if I ever have someone over and he doesn't think that the person I have over is going to take me away from him PLUS I don't want him attacking my roommate.

Train what out of who? The bird or the dog? You won't be able to train anything out of the bird because he's just reacting according to his instincts.

maybe it could just be who he is? he's an eight year old Sun Conure

That's what I would say.

 

[McBird]

Train what out of who? The bird or the dog? You won't be able to train anything out of the bird because he's just reacting according to his instincts.

okay, that makes sense. I guess my next route would either be to train the dogs extensively or keep doing what I'm doing which is kenneling them both when he's out and about. but I also don't want him to attack my roommate so what I can do is have a plan created with the roommate so that Leaf is caged before he comes through the door.

he's the sweetest little bird and I love him to death, so I'm not too concerned.

first vet visit has been scheduled for 3/10 at 930 so I'll be getting a full work up then and a DNA test just to be 100% sure.

 

[Akoni]

My male cockatiel dive bombs my husband, the only other male in the house. Meanwhile, he's all about heart wings and chattering sweet nothings to the females.

First, since this is a hormonal behavior, make sure Leaf is getting a minimum of 12 hours of sleep on a predictable schedule. A covered, separate sleeping cage in a quiet area of the house can help a lot.

Second, as with any unwanted behavior, don't allow him the opportunity to practice dive bombing. The more opportunity he has, the more it becomes a habit. If Leaf is out of his cage, kennel the dogs! Do not allow them to get anywhere near each other, now that there is a precedent.

 

[McBird]

my male Cockatiel never did that. my mom's Senegal loves EVERYONE. or so he pretends to. unless he wants to bite you.

I give Leaf 12 hours, at least, of sleep. that's what I remember from Dr. Burkett telling us what's necessary. I try to keep a schedule but my work schedule is all over the place so I can only do so much. I spend the morning time with him out and the girls' kenneled and then I let the girls out for about 1-2 hours then I spend the rest of the time with them in their kennels until it's his bed time.

they're 110% kenneled now. after him swooping after Bow (scared me SO BAD) I kennel them both to prevent accidents. he isn't going to get hurt by something preventable like that.

 

[metalstitcher]

You need to keep in mind all birds are different and he is showing hormonal behavior. He will need to be on a 12 on 12 off sleep schedule to get his hormones under control for now since he is coming into a new situation. Also keep the dogs and his separated. They should not be in the room together for a while because it's all new and he is possibly telling you he doesn't like them being around because he is afraid. It's going to take time and you are going to have to work with him but he will come around.

 

[LunaLovebird]

Have you seen him do it any other time? It just sounds to me like he didn't like Bow being there / felt threatened. It's probably not something you'd train out of him so much as just avoiding the situation in the future. Best of luck! Sounds like he's found a good home.

 

[McBird]

I haven't seen him do it any other time but I have seen him get over stimulated in his cage with my roommate coming home.

the dogs are ALWAYS in their kennels whenever he's out now. Soap was before Bow because she's prey drivey and Bow is chill but I don't want to push her and I don't want an accident. they're cohabiting very well and I'm so glad my roommate wasn't upset over him being added to the little family on such short notice!!

I honestly couldn't trust the woman's friend to take excellent care of him. I didn't have the gut feeling like I did when she (not the friend) had stepped forward that things would be okay. I love him so much. I'm super excited to see what him being in my life has in store for me!

I, unfortunately, had to leave my 16 year old Cockatiel at my parents house because that's all he's known and I didn't want to stress him or make him sick. once Leaf gets a full check up I can see my Lexus again. I saw him once a week before I got Leaf but I don't want to bring anything communicable over to both Lexus and Dakota just in case and want my
mom to be able to visit Leaf as well.

I don't have many people over, save for maybe my mom. of course my roommate, but I put him up if I see his car lights. I generally get home later than my roommate due to my work schedule. I let the dogs out for x amount of time in the morning (depending on when I go into work) then kennel them and get him out for the same amount of time. that way it's even. in the evening I let him out more since the dogs can stay out all night.

I wonder if I socialise him that behaviour will calm down?

 

[Monica]

Socializing can help, if you do so correctly.

Station training is also another good option.