danmcq

Trust - Ask anytime. Your right, thats why we are all here and enjoy each others company so much. :-) We have owned many Dobermans over the years. The two rescues we presently have had for 4 years are Bentley and Chloe. Here is bentley out trying to get the "Water Monster", our pool sweep. he is a "Red" Doberman: Here is Chloe entertaining a visiting friends puppy. The only thing Chloe asks is for the puppy friend to leave her "Baby" alone. Chloe is a "Fawn" Doberman: <br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2008/07/27 20:27

Judy - Unless you carry your 9mm with you, a Doberman is the next best thing. :-) Kim was walking Kodak one night at about 10pm. he was 7 Months old and they regularly walked to the park about a 1/4 mile from our house. While making their round about the park, Kodak stopped, turned around and started growling. He noticed a man walking up behind them, that Kim had not heard. She then turned around and the guy had stopped in his tracks about 20 feet from them. The guy puts his arms up and says "I just need to use the restroom Lady", Kim said "fine walk way around", gave Kodak the command to Sit and watched as he walked a wide path around them. They are instinctively a "Protector" of their "Pack" and do not even need to be trained to do so. It is indeed and owners choice to have these croppings and dockings and others should not look down on them for doing so. I do not appreciate those that do not have the dewclawing, cropping and docking done and their Dobermans suffer for it as described in my lengthy post. It does not "Hurt" the Doberman when done by a professional, regardless of what some people may think. As you state, it is up to each individual to make an intelligent, well studied decision based on the breeds physical characteristics and their in-bred purpose. I do not make those that feel compelled to continually clip their birds wings at their Parrots horrified experience and ordeal they must go through each 3 to 6 months, simply because I do not agree with the practice. I expect the same respect to be displayed to others on this forum for other members that have a different opinion. Their are pro's and con's to everything we do in life. We each must walk down our own path and make the best decisions we can based upon each individual circumstance, environment and purpose. :-)<br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2008/07/27 18:47

Tracy - I love the 2nd photos. She looks like she fell over and saying "Help, Help oh Help, I can't get up Mommy". :-) Thanks for posting these latest photos!!

Kodak - Last Photo <br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2008/07/27 17:18

Trust Wrote "I posted this pic hoping that another member who shares the same hobby like dogs and birds could appreciate, as well as with the rest of you." I love that photo and remember those "Puppy" Days with "Kodak" our first Doberman that still lives on,in our memories and on our Mantle in a beatiful wooden box, creamated, with his collar and photo above it. They are a Loyal and Intelligent breed, like no other I have experienced. They will literally die for you. Thank you for posting this photo, he is Beatiful!!!<br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2008/07/27 16:53

On Dobermans...... One of our passions for decades. We also rescue them. I do know this is a much debated practice, but people that have it done do have good reasons for doing so and have not made the decision lightly, in most cases. Dewclaws - Removed for safety reasons not cosmetic. Dobermans use their legs and feet in playing and protection modes. The Dewclaws will get "ripped" off or damaged easily if not removed. The Tails - Docked or banded at around 5 to 10 days old, depending on the length and girth. A docked tail is an important characteristic of the Doberman because the tail represents a "body part" that can be easily and readily injured. Injury can happen by accident, such as knocking it against hard surfaces or getting it caught between surfaces (doors, windows, car doors) which can cause bruising, hematomas (pockets of blood), sloughing off of hair and tissue, gangrene and terrible fractures of the vertebra requiring major reparative surgery to treat and even save the tail. The tail also serves as a handle that an attacker could grab and injure which could cause the dog to experience pain and trauma and cause him to abandon his job of protecting his owner. So docking is also a functional part of the Dobermans effectiveness as a family protector. The Ears - Likewise, are the logical, functional addition to complete the Dobermans physical equipment to make him/her the elite family companion and protection dog that he was, even from the beginning. There are two primary reasons that we desire cropped ears, and both have to do with FUNCTION. The first is that a neatly cropped ear is less of a "handle" for an attacker to hang on to. Since the Doberman has been bred to be a personal protector, a cropped ear gives the dog a decided advantage in a confrontation with a perpetrator. The second has to do with sound "localization". An erect earred dog can localize the source of a sound to within a 5 degree cone, whereas a drop earred dog can only localize a sound source to within a 20 degree cone. Since Dobermans do SEARCH AND DETECTION as well as SEARCH AND RESCUE, cropped ears are a decided advantage. The DOBERMAN "STANDARD"" asks for "ears, normally cropped". This simply implies that they are cropped in a normal manner. Many people choose to leave their Doberman puppy uncropped. These are mostly people who have a Doberman as a pet only and do not exhibit them in competition in the various AKC events. There is no disqualification for uncropped ears, and people can and do show Dobermans that are not cropped, in the US. But, because the overwhelming majority of exhibitors show their Dobermans cropped, perhaps it just looks like there is no choice involved. It is a matter of personal preference as to crop or not crop their puppy and likewise to show a cropped or uncropped Doberman in AKC events. If the ears are cropped they must be cut in a shapely manner when the Doberman is a youngster, usually between 9 to 12 weeks. The ear must be long enough to crop, with cartilage and muscles developed enough for a proper length assessment and structure to "Hold" the Ears erect once finished. However, the puppy should not be too old 5 Months or older, that the surgery becomes more difficult for the ears to successfully stand, if at all. I presently have 2 rescued Dobermans that have uncropped ears and they are beautiful. Their tails are docked though. Anytime I have purchased a puppy, they have Dewclaws removed, tail docked and Ears cropped. I can attest to the fact that it does not inflict any psychological impact at all, if it is done by a good vet, under Anesthesia and the owners take proper care of the Ears/Bandages while the process takes place.

LOL Tycosmom!! Kids bickering over who's toy or space it is. :-) Very funny, thanks for sharing this story. Karma to you!!

Wow Patsy. It sounds like that company has some very serious internal issues and the resulting agitation the employees are experiencing from it, is overflowing into the customer service area. It is really sad when a customer service person takes out their anger on a customer and further describes internal issues. I personally would let that employee go, if I received a complaint from a customer describing what you have. Then I would start addressing the issues that employee described and resolve them. Without happy customers, any business will soon experience sales drop-offs and ultimately close the doors if the damage by word of my mouth has spread significantly. Based on your experience, I certainly will NOT purchase anything from pretty parrot. The stands are available somewhere else, that would hopefully believe in good customer service and the return of damaged goods.

Very good thoughts and responses All. :-) I agree, Politics and Religion are too personalized in each individual to be debated. Without it soon turning in to an all out war between the two. It is the very core beliefs each individual has personalized, accepted, put faith in and believed wholeheartedly for most their lives. It is the very essence of "Who" that person is. I believe that is why, all of us, from all countries, faiths and beliefs can enjoy each others company so much. Even though we are truly worlds apart in other aspects of our lives. With the "Greys" out of the picture. We would have never met or had a conversation at all, most likely. :-)<br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2008/07/26 18:29

I agree with M2MM. The suggestion that Height = Dominance in the avian community, has been proven wrong over and over. It is a common misconception that keeps rearing it's head by persons assuming it is a fact .... it is not. If you have problems getting any bird down from the top of a cage or your shoulder. It is not dominance it is displaying, but is the message that he/she does not want to come down or step up or be moved. They are simply expressing their "Thoughts" and "Desires". They use their beaks in the wild to communicate effectively with one another all day long, accompanied by body language. The real root of the problem is either the owner has not learned to read that language or is struggling with a re-homed bird that has issues and they must understand that type of behaviour is normal as the bird is expressing it's desire. If it is not neccessary to have compliance, respect the birds wish. If it is required, then follow through using all the various techniques to move the bird to where you wish to take it. It is the natural response of any "Critter" or "Avian Species" to let whatever creature is desiring some type of an action from them, to signal by body language or vocalization that they do not intend to comply. It does not matter if they are on the ground, mid -level, eye level or higher. They will respond in the only way they know how to indicate they do not wish to perform that request. If you are trying train your bird to step-up for example and you know he will fly or run from you. The more remote the "Place" the bird is at, the easier it is for them to not comply and flee. It has nothing to do with dominance. It has everything to do, with that bird expressing their desire for you to leave them be. A supporting study/article on the subject of Height = Dominance written by S.G. Friedman, PhD, Utah, and Bobbi Brinker, Ohio, is available at this link, if you would like to read it: http://www.mawebcenters.com/soaringspirit55426/Dominance.html

Great photos!! They do hate water and trying to find something tha works for them, is sometimes a challenge. :-) Thanks for sharing these moments of your Grey have a "Water Park" adventure!!

Kitty^3 - It's running around 101 to 103 the last 2 days. That is much better than the 110 we had 9 days ago. :-)

Welcome Veronique!! It's GreYt to have you here. Looking forward to hearing more from you. :-)

Great photo trust. Dayo has been a shoulder birdy since we brought him home. They will definitely "Tweak" the ear every once in a while. Especially if they want you to move due to them sensing a threat and a need to get their "Car" into gear and moving......the more urgency, the harder the beaking. Also, if you or wife wear earrings, take them out or your Grey will rip them out for you. :-) The only issue with Dayo, is if he does not want to get down, he will run to the other side, behind you head etc. to avoid stepping up. If that starts to fail, he will give a strong beaking letting you know he does not want to comply. :-) Thats when the fun begins!! B)

Well, I would forget about a "Computer Designed" self balancing perch and let the new parrot figure out how to adjust and maintain balance on a variety of unstable platforms just like they encounter everyday in the wild. This will help in building their balance, coordination and self confidence. :-)

Hello Whiteflower, Veterinarians may suggest vaccinations on an individual case basis, however there are no standard immunizations suggested for African grey parrots. Unless they are a breeding pair or in a breeders environment that has an outbreak of beak and feather disease. In the case of a breeder that has had an outbreak, the babies will normally be immunized a long time before they are offered up as weaned and ready to go to their new home.

Our Greys or other parrots are not really susceptible to viruses we carry like you mention. So I have never stayed away from or treated my Parrots any differently when I have a cold or other similar viral issue. A gastric infection, is not viral, it is bacterial. The only thing you need to ensure is you do not let your Grey beak in your mouth and wash your hands good after using the restroom. :-)

Oh Sweet, I know how you feel. i went through the same anxiety of just wanting to "Snatch and Run" one it was down to the final week, then another....... B) But, that tells me the breeder/petshop is a good and responsible owner that wants to ensure the bird is fully weaned and you won't run into any surprises. :-) Your Grey sounds like it is so attached to you already!! That will make the first homecoming much easier for him. He will be in a strange new place, but have the security blanket of being with the one he loves. :-)

Hi Laurie, I believe just about all our Greys have been going through a molt, satring from dec/feb onward. One thing to keep in mind also, is that the first molt is the largest a Grey will experience in their lives. They do go in stages as others mentioned already with the larger feathers coming out last i.e. primaries and tail feathers. :-)

Hi Mel - It sounds like you really need to close the blinds/blinds if your Grey is trying to now fly in between the stick-ons. I would hate to hear his neck was broken.

LOL Tracy - Your too fast :-)

Here is a photo of a CAG: Here is a photo of a TAG:

Very cool. :-)

Congratulations Zahra!! Noah is a GreYt name and sounds like he is settling in well to his new home and family. Your right, a little time will be required for him to become certain that he is safe and sound. :-)

Welcome Stacey!! Yes, young Greys are a little clumsy at that age (3 1/2 Mo). The mouthing is normal. Just like a human baby, every thing is taste and texture tested with their beaks/tongue. :-) In the pet store type environment with a constant flow of people bugging him, it is normal for them to become a little hesitant in the trust department. It sounds like you had a good visit and he warmed up to you after realizing you weren't going away in 3 minutes. :-) Looking forward to hearing more.