We've had to do some rearrangements and make some adjustments to the bird's area - because of Miss Molly, the dog who likes to knock things over to punish us when we leave I'm sure I've said this is in the past, but the "bird room," or simply where their cages are, is technically a 3rd bedroom in the house, but it's in the middle of the house and had 2 doorways but just one door.

When we discovered that Molly would knock over the kitchen garbage can when we leave, we've been trying to Molly proof things and keep the bird's door closed and put up a baby gate to keep her out of the kitchen (and bird room, which is off the kitchen). Well, 2 (heavy duty) baby gates later and we've not successfully Molly-proofed yet. She has never given us an inkling that she'll mess with the bird cages, but we don't want to even make that an option if she gets realllly bored one day.

So yesterday we installed a 2nd door to the bird's room - and I'm lovin' it!!! My wheels are already turning with the new possibilities.....(and keep in mind that both doors are only closed when we're gone, Molly doesn't do anything remotely "bad" when we're home)

1) We had to rearrange the cages because if we left them as they were Lulu's cage would be behind the door when it's opened. So in order to rearrange we also de-cluttered a bit (always a good thing) - we have a small house and all the rooms except the kitchen and living room are pretty small. But this is the best room for the birds to be in.

2) With this de-cluttering and a recent conversation about some day getting the budgies a large flight cage to share, I can now see this more realistically as I was looking at what kind of space we had.

3) Having a 2nd door means we can now keep the birds more closed off when they're in bed if we happen to be up late. I'd always turn off the kitchen light when they're in bed and then hubby would turn it on if he'd go in the kitchen. Now they can be less disturbed.

4) This also means that they can potentially have more out of cage time - but this room is not nearly bird-proof so that they could be uncaged while we're gone. Our computer and gigantic computer desk is still in there and all kinds of things that Lulu would love to chew on I'm sure. But it has potential for, at the very least, times when I can get them out in their room and still have the mammals wandering around other parts of the house.

The budgies were absolutely CRAZED with all of this excitement and they flew so hard and fast last night - really wore themselves out. I think it's good for them though as they had gotten used to certain flight patterns and this had made them change things up and I could see their thought-process mid-air as they were navigating. All cages are now on different walls than they previously were so they've been navigating quite differently. It was a good mental exercise as well as physical.

I am sure it caused great excitement, now it is closer to be a bird room when you out, just a bit more moving stuff.

You ALL are so silly! Such excitement! Glad it is better.

Sarah, I wouldnt give Molly an extra inch with those birds. Im sure you know they are hunters by nature. She obviously has some issues to work out and I think you're doing a really nice thing by trying to give her a good life. Im not criticizing you but I cringed when you said you took her. I have friend with that breed, and she is the sweetest thing. But when she see's birds, her nose goes out, body forward, front leg up, and no one trained her to do that. I get so scared mixing dogs and birds. Especially when you're birds are let out to fly and they love it. Someone ends up sacrificing their freedom. I sure wish you the best with this.

We're fully aware that she's a hunter by nature. So is our other dog, Riley (beagle/springer mix). Molly shows absolutely no reaction to the birds when we're home, not even a 2nd glance - but that doesn't mean we trust her at all with them (or our other dog, who also shows no interest). Riley is a pointer but has only pointed to things outside like rabbits and squirrels.

The dogs and cats are NEVER allowed out when the birds are out, no ifs/ands/buts about that. One reason that we keep them flighted, though, is that the birds have a better chance of survival and ability to get away if we or they slip-up on how we do things at our house.

I know youre doing the right thing. No judgment from me. I just get scared. Im sure you're handling it the proper way and I know you're a good mommy. Its just the horror stories that pop up, how it only took a second from a dog that never showed interest before.

No offense taken. If we had had the birds first and known then what we know now, I'd bet that we wouldn't have cats and dogs and birds together. But Riley and the cats were here first and we weren't going to rehome them. We've wanted Riley to have a dog companion for awhile and I don't think we would have taken in a Weimaraner puppy. Seeing that she's 8 and in her senior years, yes she is still energetic and has a spring in her step, but she also moves at a slower pace in general (she absolutely does not have the endless Weim energy that I read about, she'd rather snooze all day lol). Again, not that that makes us trust her any more around the birds, but she's not an obnoxious puppy or juvenile.

My friends Weim is also very chill. She lives with 2 teacup yorkies and an Italian Greyhound that is blind. The Weim came last as a pup with serious health issues. The breeder gave her to the guy saying she needed a vet. She's a really great dog. All the little ones cuddle up to her for warmth and she is very gentle but a little disobedient at times acting very ignorant. Anyway, I sure do wish you all the best with your furry family! Its funny how you turn the house upside down for them. Im guilty of it too.

Ain't that the truth, we too have rearranged things and built things to better suit their needs!

My parents have had their share of destructive dogs - it amazes me that they're still dog people.

One thing I introduced & worked was chew toys. The principle is similar for the big birds and their puzzle toys. They're marketed as KONGS. You put peanut butter & dog treats inside. They chew it - play with it & snack from it. You can have a few around the house to find. It really keeps their minds off being alone.

It's worth a try.