Introducing a new pet into the family.

Question
I have three long-haired dachshunds.  They are 4 to 7 years old.  They are used to being the center of attention, and DO get ALOT of attention!  They are wonderful and I'm nuts about them....they bring such joy into my life.  I have recently purchased a new "feathered" family member. He is a cockatoo. I will be picking him up in a few days. I know that this will be a tramatic event in our house and the pooches will probably go bazerk.  I know they'll probably get use to it eventually, but how do I make this less tramatic for them AND the bird??  I KNOW there will be lots of excitable and fearful barking and carrying on.  Maybe some treats to get their mind off the little bird???  I just don't know.  I'm a little afraid for them and the birdie!  Please let me know.  I want to make this as pleasant as possible.  Thankyou for your response.  Georgie  

Answer
You have to get treats for both the bird and your dogs. If they bark you have to pat the dogs to make the relax. If they keep barking days later you have to stop patting them. Everytime they bark you have to say a firm "Shhh,".
This will stop with time, but don't let them blackmail you so that everytime they bark they get patted.
Good luck...