How can I get them to understand?

[ArtistChibi]

So, after getting Shen, I did begin doing some exentsive research, which is how I came about this forum, and learned rabbits are territorial and will lunge at others if they don't like them. Since my bedroom is his established territory, my mother-in-law thinks it is okay to let her poodle terrier mix into my room when she's in there. I already convinced her not to buy some outdoor rabbit hutch, considering it would not work for him, we want him free roam, and we have predatory animals nearby outside. I just had to go into an explanation to her about how Shen reacted to the dog and even explained that if we are to "bond" them, not only should it be on neutral ground, but the dog CANNOT behave jealously. I try to encourage the dog to not enter my room at all and try to keep him away from Shen because of how fragile rabbits are. But my mother-in-law is still not getting the hint that rabbits are prey animals and can't be treated the same way as dogs or cats. How can I get her to understand this?

 

[Preitler]

As far as i can tell, bonding has nothing to do with that. Rabbits are social animals, and they know exactly what a rabbit is and what not. Imho we, and dogs, are outside their hierachy, something different.

I did take in dogs now and then, from friends, up to 3 weeks. My approach is to not hide the rabbits, but teach the dog that they are something completly normal around here, not worth mentioning. I show the dogs their place (I keep them on the leash until I see how they react), feed them side by side with the rabbits (or at least in view of each other). If a dog shows too much interest (like trying to sniff them) the rabbits go away in this situation, I ido not react to it, to give the dog the feeling that there is nothing to be exited about the rabbits.
More complicated than that, like, the dog shouldn't have much of a hunting instinct. But in my opinion keeping the dog away and bonding sessions with a lot of confusing attention focused on the situation would accomplish the opposite of what I want - by giving the dog the impression that those fluffy things are interessting, noteworthy, exiting, and forbidden fruit.

Rabbits usually get used to a lot that doesn't act like something dangerous.

 

[ArtistChibi]

I don't mind if Peanut sees Shen, but he begins to express jealous behavior and try to be playful while unknowingly smack Shen with his tail. I don't try to hide Shen, either. I just want my mother-in-law to understand that she can't force them like she has been trying. Especially since we didn't have him that long.
She also doesn't seem to understand that what may look like a binky, is actually him lunging, when she makes quick movements with her hands. I know the process for them differs a lot than if it were a cat and dog. I, also, know it takes a different level of care for rabbits. And as of right now, as long as Peanut has issues with fleas and forced to wear a flea collar, I have to keep the two separate. Shen hates the smell of the collar. (And so do I.)