Introducing a Dog to a Rabbit
As explained on the prior tab, some dogs can be trained to get along with some rabbits. The decision to introduce your dog to your rabbit, therefore, must be made with careful consideration and full responsibility.
I have decided to add this page here as an aid to those who wish guidance. However, there is no guarantee that this will work. I am simply offering my successful experience. The safety of your rabbit must be foremost as you follow the suggested guidelines.
I have decided to add this page here as an aid to those who wish guidance. However, there is no guarantee that this will work. I am simply offering my successful experience. The safety of your rabbit must be foremost as you follow the suggested guidelines.
Two critical elements are necessary for training your dog to get along with your rabbit.
First is that your dog must be obedient. You must be the boss, the alpha, over your dog. Second is that your goal will be to teach your dog that the rabbit is part of the 'family pack.' |
A common mistake made is letting the dog interact with the bunny and then trying to stop or correct any bad behavior as it occurs. This is backwards. One needs to be pro-active and actually show/teach the dog how to behave around the rabbit. |
Never leave a dog & rabbit together unattended, regardless of how well they seem to get along. I know of a dog & rabbit that had been together for more than 5 years without ever a hint of any aggression. Then once, when they were left home alone as usual -- both out together-- the dog gave a warning snap to the rabbit for approaching the dog's stolen snack. The single snap happened to be on the rabbit's head and was enough to cause death. Had the owners been home, the instigating circumstances would likely have been avoided. Please be sure to always monitor interactions between dogs and rabbits. I share this story only to emphasize that the potential risks are very real. This is something that must be considered and weighed carefully. Even the friendliest dog & rabbit should only be allowed interaction under supervision.
The Friendly Dog -- Is Training Really Necessary?
“My dog is so friendly to all animals that I won’t need to train him to be with my rabbit.”
If you have such a dog, he may very well have not an ounce of aggression. But think of how dogs play. They play the way predators play: chasing, catching, nipping playfully. It is mock predator behavior. Rabbits, being prey, do not understand this behavior as play. They don’t understand the “puppy bow” as an invitation to play. And they do not understand that the dog intends no harm.
More than once, I have heard of people allowing their dog to “play” with their new rabbit this way. They think it is adorable. Bunny does not appear to be panicking in any way. The dog playfully chases the rabbit around and they appear to be having such fun. “Aaaw, what cute interaction.”
However, in both cases, the rabbit died within months (or sooner) from sheer stress. The persistent stress of being toyed with and chased took its toll. Rabbits hide stress – it’s a survival trait as a prey species. Just because we don’t notice stress in the rabbit does not mean it isn’t there.
So please don’t make the mistake the others made. Even a friendly dog needs to be shown how to behave around a pet rabbit - with behavior the rabbit understands to be friendly.
More than once, I have heard of people allowing their dog to “play” with their new rabbit this way. They think it is adorable. Bunny does not appear to be panicking in any way. The dog playfully chases the rabbit around and they appear to be having such fun. “Aaaw, what cute interaction.”
However, in both cases, the rabbit died within months (or sooner) from sheer stress. The persistent stress of being toyed with and chased took its toll. Rabbits hide stress – it’s a survival trait as a prey species. Just because we don’t notice stress in the rabbit does not mean it isn’t there.
So please don’t make the mistake the others made. Even a friendly dog needs to be shown how to behave around a pet rabbit - with behavior the rabbit understands to be friendly.
WARNING! Please do NOT use a leash. The idea of a leash usually gets dogs too excited, for one. The other problem with using a leash is that restraining a dog is the method used to entice and excite a dog to attack. It is similar to teasing them with a new toy to get them all excited about it. If you are truly unable to control your dog without the aid of a leash, then it is not likely that you will be able to train him to interact appropriately around your rabbit.
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Step 1: Beginning introductions -- through the cage.
The way to begin introductions is through the cage. The dog is permitted to come up to the rabbit's cage and sniff around. Usually, curious bunny will come nose-to-nose with the dog while separated by cage. Doggy is not permitted to bark - at all. If he tries to, he must be stopped. Nor should he be permitted to whine.
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Doggy must consistently be able to approach the rabbit's cage without barking or whining or pawing at the cage or rabbit. It is possible that this step could take days. It is imperative that you witness your dog behaving properly toward the rabbit even when he doesn't know you are watching. This is the time when your dog begins to understand that you are the one dictating what behavior is acceptable. Do not proceed until he understands this.
Step 2: Opening the cage door.
Once your dog has learned how to behave appropriately around the rabbit while bunny is in the cage, it is time to move to the next step.
To begin, sit on the floor near the cage and have your dog lie on his side with his head also down on the floor. This is a completely submissive position which is what we want. It is also non-threatening to the eyes of your rabbit. During this stage, your dog must remain down in this submissive position. This teaches your dog that he is not alpha over the rabbit and it teaches your rabbit that the dog is not a threat. Now the cage door can be open. The rabbit can now come out when and if he feels ready. Whether or not bunny comes out should be up to the bunny. Do not force him out. Bunny may also decide to approach the dog. This is ideal. It may just be a quick sniff. That is just fine. The goal during this stage is for the bunny to feel comfortable around the dog and for the dog to see that the rabbit is not a play toy. |
Photos above show early phase of step 2. Dog remains on his side with head on floor.
As bunny becomes more comfortable moving about near the dog, and as the dog learns to remain submissive when bunny approaches, then good progress is being made. Using your own common sense and instinct, you can determine when your dog is ready to continue his good behavior with his head raised. He should still remain in a 'down' position with his body. Be sure to offer your dog plenty of praise for staying put.
Photos below show the later phase of step 2. Dog remains down but head is up.
Step 2 will likely be the longest -- when your dog is learning to remain in that 'down' position as pictured immediately above. Doggy will no doubt be anxious to stand up and join in the bunny's fun. Don't let him. Now is the time when those parameters are being ingrained for good. He needs to know that the rabbits are not puppies. At the stage pictured just above, the bunnies are still approaching the dog cautiously. They are all doing well, but have not reached the 'comfortable' stage yet.
Step 3: Becoming more comfortable.
As the dog and rabbit become more accustomed to their relationship, you will see them become more at ease and relaxed around each other. This is NOT the time to relax your diligence. As bunny becomes more bold, the temptation to jump up and join in can be irresistible for your dog. Keep praising your dog for staying down and being good. Let him know that he is behaving appropriately. To the right and below, you can see a more comfortable atmosphere with the dog and rabbits.
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It should be apparent when dog and rabbit have learned how to behave around each other. How far this goes depends on the individual dog and rabbit. The dog and rabbits pictured above have become at ease with each other. The dog knows his permitted limits. The rabbits know they have nothing to fear. This relationship has remained at this level. This is perfectly fine and is a successful result.
Completely at ease with each other.
There are also the occasions where a dog and a rabbit become even closer. This type of dog/rabbit bond should not be expected. Just consider it a wonderful bonus if it does occur. With this type of relationship, both dog and rabbit have become extraordinarily comfortable and close with each other. The Newfoundland and French lop below had such a relationship. The rabbit regularly groomed the dog and the dog would offer affectionate licks back. These two even shared some brief stardom on Animal Planet, part of which can be seen if you click here.
Age Considerations
One may think that is necessary to start with a puppy and a young rabbit in order to get these two species to get along. This has not been my experience. In fact, there are some distinct disadvantages to starting with a puppy or a young rabbit.
Puppies certainly are train-able. However, there is a window of time in which they chew everything in sight. This is also the time when they roughhouse with their puppy mates. This includes lots of playful nipping – particularly ear nipping. If puppy is around a rabbit, he will see that rabbit as a puppymate and the nipping will commence. This must not be allowed to happen. A single nip from the pin-sharp puppy teeth can easily puncture a rabbit’s extremely thin and delicate skin.
This rough play is normal behavior for a puppy and my opinion is that the puppy should not be scolded for this behavior. It is better to just keep the rabbit and dog apart from each other during this nippy period. |
Baby rabbits also have their disadvantages when trying to get them used to a dog. Once hormones kick in, bunny’s behavior may become erratic or aggressive. This could cause confusion for the dog that won’t understand these sudden behavior changes. Bunny could even lunge at or bite the dog. This could happen suddenly and without warning.
For this reason, it may be best to limit a young bunny’s and dog’s interaction by keeping them separated by a pen or a cage. This is the first step of training anyway. So this step would just be extended until bunny is fixed and hormones have dissipated. After that, the next steps can begin. |
It is not necessary (nor even recommended) to begin with a baby rabbit and/or a puppy when introducing the two species in the same home.
Dogs past the teething stage can certainly be trained to get along with rabbits – the exception being those with too much genetic prey predisposition as explained here. Whether the dog is already established in the home and the rabbit is the newcomer, or the dog is the newcomer to a home that already has a rabbit -- either way can work. I have done it both ways.
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Adult, fixed rabbits are the easiest to train. There is no disadvantage to bringing an adult rabbit (as opposed to a baby rabbit) to a home with a dog. (If you get a rabbit through a rescue, be sure to let them know that you have a dog at home. They usually know if one of their rabbits happens to be fearful of dogs.)
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