Nihon Ken & Small Pets

SangmortSangmort
edited September 2008 in General
Hope everyone is doing well <3!

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Sorry guys, I've gone into my "I'm going to ask a million questions" phase again. :) So please, bare with me <3

Ok! I think it's safe to say, everyone on this forum knows & understands that all of the Nihon Ken have a very high prey drive. However, we've also spoken about how, when socialized early& consistently, they may do well with cats. [ breed & individual dependent ]

Here's the thing...I have 6 Cockatiels & an Iguana. As far as the birds go...I'm pretty sure with these breeds it's highly unlikely I'll be able to keep my Cockatiels with my pup.

- Unfortunately, this means my Tiels are going to go live with my dad. He takes good care of them, but we argue about what to feed them...I say a pellet diet which gives them as close to the exact vitamins they need...he gives them seeds, which they pick through & only eat the ones they want [ lack of nutrients ]. Now that I'm living with him again, we literally argue about this every other day. :o -

Regardless, as I said...I'm going to try it, but I doubt it'll work. [ has anyone had any experiences otherwise? I know Heidi has birds, but I think they're larger right? I think that makes a difference? ]

So...what are the odds the pup'll be able to live with my iguana? He's a Giant Green Iguana, 7 years old, & my baby :) He's about 3'6" long, not as big as most males & pretty feminine looking lol. He, like the birds, lives in a cage that's about 5'5" tall, 4' wide. He really doesn't move throughout the day, & you wouldn't know he was alive except for the fact that he eats & shits occasionally haha. So I'm wondering if he's really prey incentive?

Any thoughts guys? :o

Of course, I'm going to TRY socialization with both birds & iguana, but I'm a bit skeptical on how successful it'll be. [ I guess the alternative, other then them living with my dad, would be keeping them separated at all times? ] ~

Comments

  • okironokiron
    edited September 2008
    IMO I wouldn't worry so much about it Osy. They'll both adapt eventually and if they don't just keep the birds in a room where the dog isn't allowed. Yes Nihon ken breeds tend to have a higher prey drive than what most people are used to but it's not as outrageously difficult as some like to believe or emphasis on.

    Maybe growing up with the breeds has something to do with it but I until I came on this forum it didn't occur to me half the claims made about nihon ken breeds. Some of them I think are hugely overexaggerated but I let them be cause they work as good deterrents for those people used to labs.
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited November -1
    I hope so Rina!

    I was kind of nervous as I don't want to put my flock at risk but at the same time I can't imagine life without them, the two oldest have been with me for 7 years. It'd just be weird to not wake up to them singing, or hear them whistling when they see me come home. :) [ they see me from the window, & when I open my car door they all go off like an alarm lol ] ~
  • ktreborktrebor
    edited November -1
    I know one exemple of peaceful life of shiba pack and one parrot from Poland. A Parrot named Grumpy is eating from shiba's bowls, she is yelling at them (she mimics voice of the owner) sit down! come! She is using their names, and barks together with dogs :)
  • TheWalrusTheWalrus
    edited November -1
    Robert, you need to get that on video!
  • ktreborktrebor
    edited November -1
    Eah, I am also waiting for it, maybe I will find some pictures of this parrot on polish forum. Give me an hour :)
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited November -1
    Robert, that's so cool :D ~!~
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    we had 2 cats when tsuki and Kitsu first came, and she would chase them and mouth the one cat but never had intent to harm, and they were new animals to her. One of those cats let my finches loose by trying to kill them. My finches are now my sisters finches because Tsuki was obsessed with them after that, and ate fallen feathers. I could not take this chance, she clearly wanted them for more than a toy... We have had foster kittens, but don't allow interaction between them and the dogs because the kittens are just too young.
    Between the three shibas I have now, we've had several small animal deaths: birds, squirrels and a rabbit. The Nihon Ken DO have a higher prey drive than most other dogs [except terriers, shibas are no match for terrier prey drive!!]. They are MEANT to have one. So knowing their traits from what I've already seen, I will not own a small caged animal, its just too dangerous with three shibas.

    However, with proper intros and training and redirection, etc., you could probably have a pup peacefully coexist with caged small animals. Its really up to the work you put into prevention and training.
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