I recently adopted an Australian Sheppard mix from a shelter. He is very calm and nice we also have a cat and two African Grey Parrots; this dog has no problem with the cat but when it comes to the birds he gets very aggressive and wants to jump on them!! My question is, what do I do to make him leave the birds alone (I think he is jealous of them) thank you for your advise.

SZ

His entire life, birds have been a small fast moving object that were to be chased.  For tens of thousands of years, the were small fast moving objects that were to be killed and eaten.

You dog's prey drive is stimulated by the sight, smell, and sound of the birds.  He wants to pounce, chase, take them in his mouth.  It's instinctual for him.  They are very likely something he has never been encouraged to ignore or tolerate.  You also have an Aussie, a breed w/ notoriously high prey drive... It's one of the things that makes them so easy to train.

You will need a lot of patience here, bascically reprimanding and rewarding as they case may be.  He may never get it completely, because he is responding to his drives....  The best way to change this is redirection, basically conditioning him so the sight of the birds triggers a different drive. This is where OB work can come in really handy... doing solid OB work in the presence of the birds can swing his drives and refocus his behavior from them to you.

My Harley is super high prey... Cats are not something you want around him... but he will now automatically down at the sight of a cat, because he has been conditioned to that degree.  The sad part is, I've basically taken a dog, and taught it how not to be a dog, because my stupid neighbors won't keep their cats at home...  Anyway, the point is, you'll be teaching the dog to go against his natural bent, and now a behavior he himself has become adjusted to... so be patient, and never trust him alone w/ them... why risk it.

Terry B

America is a large friendly dog in a very small room.  Every time it wags its tail, it knocks over a chair. - Arnold Toynbee (1889-1975)

Hi Terry,

Thank you very much for your valuable advise. What you said makes since, because yesterday afternoon I noticed that my dog (coby) was barking at the crows flying  high over our back yard. I noticed that it isn’t just my birds he barks at;  this is how he behaves seeing any bird. You mentioned “OB” in your email, what do you mean by that? (considering I am a new dog owner ) and can you please give me couple of examples how to distract him when he sees my parrots and when to reward him? just to let you know we have a cat as well! (big zoo)but he seems to be ok with the cat (thank god)

thanks.

Shoreh Z

Terry is talking about obedience when he says OB.

Like the others have mentioned, you have a herding breed, it is their instincts to chase things that move. Never leave the dog and bird alone. What I would start with is training a down stay. He cant chase the bird if he isnt allowed to move. Start training him when the bird isnt around, once he is reliable with no distractions have some one hold the bird while he is down. Also make sure he gets plenty of exercise, aussies is an active breed. They not only need physical exercise, but mental as well.

Another thing you can do, although I am not sure how good it would work (I have never done it , but seen it on Victoria stillwells show) have lots of good treats like chicken or hot dogs, have someone bring the bird in the room with you and your dog. As soon as the dog sees the bird start giving him treats. Have the bird leave and stop giving treats. Repete with the dog getting treats around the bird. the theroy is that he will start tro associate the bird with good things. Like i said I am not sure how well it works cant hurt to try, but seeing as he is a herding breed it may not work, it all depends on how high his prey drive is.

This. I cannot stress this enough.  What eveyone else said is true.  I used to have a bird, a small cockitiel (sp?) and even though I was able to teach my dog Poppy To the best I could that my bird was not prey, it still went against all his natural instincts and I never trusted them together. 
Even if you dog seems fine with the birds after awhile, still never trust them together alone, or your likely to end up with some dead birds on your hands.

        Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath, man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust and to dust all return.-ECCLESIASTES 3:19-20

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