Getting a dog with free roam rabbits

[Jmoore135]

Anyone else introduce a puppy or dog to your free roam rabbit before?

We had our rabbit for 2 years before deciding to get a puppy this past June. I was pretty nervous about all the things. We decided a lab would be best considering it’s lower prey drive than most breeds and it’s friendly temperament. To my surprise, my rabbit wasn't afraid of the dog at all. In fact, we ended up getting another bunny because of how sad it was to watch our rabbit try to groom and sleep with our dog and it just didn’t feel like he was getting what he wanted from the dog Our puppy is now 10 months old and I’m telling you, she actually thinks she’s a bunny. She even protects the bunnies from cats and foxes that get too close to our yard if they are outside playing. Now both of our rabbits and our dog live free roam of our house all together.
Thought I’d share in case someone with the same situation could use some reassurance that it CAN work and it can be a beautiful experience if you find the right match.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Our boy Nicky was rescued by a family with 2 cats and a dog--they were all fine together, although now he is housed with only another elder bun, Cosmo, who is over 10 years.

 

[Blue eyes]

As you say... with the right match!
Here are photos over the years with different dogs and different rabbits.

 

[Jmoore135]

As you say... with the right match!
Here are photos over the years with different dogs and different rabbits.

These photos melt me

 

[Jumilli]

I have found that the bigger the dog the better the bond.It seems to be the smaller breeds who just can't resist chasing and barking.But,give me a retriever, labrador, labradoodle then it's a thumbs up every time.I dogsit in my home so have experienced most.Mind you I have flemish giants who have no problem chasing the smaller dogs out of their area if they feel the need.

 

[Cosmo the bunny]

yes, i agree, the bigger the dog the better. They see the bunny of less of a threat, particularly when they like the same foods. My dog and bun have been together from day 1 and never had a problem. I’m convinced my dog taught my bun how to properly beg for food!

 

[Jumilli]

Totally agree and on most days my 2 buns,cat and dog are all sharing the garden together.My cat- Biza also sleeps on the top shelf of the shed the buns have,but only in the daytime when the door is open.I'll soon be fostering guide dog puppies so we'll see how that develops.

 

[Cosmo the bunny]

Cosmo and my dog get on great! generally timber is the downstairs pet and Coz free roams upstairs, but they are welcome in either place so sometimes we get photo opportunities like this!

 

[healersheart]

I have a 12-year-old miniature poodle that also takes it upon himself to protect our bunnies when we’re all outside. He and one of the bunnies even share a bowl sometimes (our dog loves veggies); it’s adorable to watch.

 

[windfondquist]

Anyone else introduce a puppy or dog to your free roam rabbit before?

We had our rabbit for 2 years before deciding to get a puppy this past June. I was pretty nervous about all the things. We decided a lab would be best considering it’s lower prey drive than most breeds and it’s friendly temperament. To my surprise, my rabbit wasn't afraid of the dog at all. In fact, we ended up getting another bunny because of how sad it was to watch our rabbit try to groom and sleep with our dog and it just didn’t feel like he was getting what he wanted from the dog Our puppy is now 10 months old and I’m telling you, she actually thinks she’s a bunny. She even protects the bunnies from cats and foxes that get too close to our yard if they are outside playing. Now both of our rabbits and our dog live free roam of our house all together best chew toys.
Thought I’d share in case someone with the same situation could use some reassurance that it CAN work and it can be a beautiful experience if you find the right match.

I just adopted a dog today and I have a free roam rabbit who is 8 years old. I am sure you can guess where this is going. The bunny has been around many many dogs and they have just sniffed the bunny and not really bothered it. My dog is obsessed with it. At the moment my door is closed so the bunny isn't stressed and she just wants in there like nobodies business. Whines and everything. She isn't hurting the bunny, just chasing him everywhere and bouncing when she corners him. But the bunny isn't happy. I took my dog into the room and made him lay on the bed while the bunny was hopping around the floor and praised him when he didn't strain to get at him. I have been successful in recalling him from the door, now he immediately retreats when I clap and I praise him. It's the first day, so is it reasonable to think the dog will get used to my bunny and just ignore it? Or does he have a high prey/chase drive and I should just keep them separate? Even right now on the couch she's whining and keeps going to my door only for me to call her back.

 

[Preitler]

Doesn't sound like prey drive to me, but kind of herding drive, overexitement or social quirks.

I had three dogs here over the years, for days or weeks, and my approach was to not seperate the rabbits, but to make clear that this home has rabbits. The rabbits had places to get away, but essentially I kept all in the same area, I had only one or two days to get things sorted out before I had to go back to work, and leave them alone together.

I think I would lock me and the dog into the same small room for some hours with the rabbits if the dog shows too much interest, put us in a situation where no herding is to do, and getting all used to sight and proximity. Getting the dog bored of the rabbits. The rabbits are part of the home, live with it, pooch!
I am not a dog person, or know much about dogs, I went by gut feeling and by setting rules - which even works with rabbits, kinda.

My rabbits back then were pretty nonchalant about dogs, and they are pretty big, that might have made things easier.

 

[Blue eyes]

I just adopted a dog today and I have a free roam rabbit who is 8 years old. I am sure you can guess where this is going. The bunny has been around many many dogs and they have just sniffed the bunny and not really bothered it. My dog is obsessed with it. At the moment my door is closed so the bunny isn't stressed and she just wants in there like nobodies business. Whines and everything. She isn't hurting the bunny, just chasing him everywhere and bouncing when she corners him. But the bunny isn't happy. I took my dog into the room and made him lay on the bed while the bunny was hopping around the floor and praised him when he didn't strain to get at him. I have been successful in recalling him from the door, now he immediately retreats when I clap and I praise him. It's the first day, so is it reasonable to think the dog will get used to my bunny and just ignore it? Or does he have a high prey/chase drive and I should just keep them separate? Even right now on the couch she's whining and keeps going to my door only for me to call her back.

As Preitler mentioned, the goal is for the dog to understand that the rabbit is part of the family/home. So basically it's a matter of training your dog as to what behavior is and is not acceptable around the rabbit. I go over this a bit on my webpage :
https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/introducing-dog-to-rabbit.html

It's still the first day, so this is a good time to review the info there. Whining is something the dog will need to be taught is not acceptable. You showed some good instincts by having the dog lay on the bed. Better yet is to have the dog lay down (head too) on the floor while the rabbit is around. This is a submissive position and teaches the dog that he is not alpha over the rabbit. But check the link for more detail.