Introducing new pup to our rabbit? Suggestions?

[i-need-a-martini]

We are about to get a new pup. She is a 9 months old (failed show dog)  Bassett Hound with what seems a very placid temperment.

But we will need to get her used to our rabbit.

Bassetts aren't a rabbit eating variety but given our previous experience with Bassetts suspect it will take a while before she gets used to seeing a white fluffy thing running around every where without barking like mad.

The rabbit is an inside pet and the Bassett will be an outside dog so we COULD keep them separated although not sure how long we can keep that up for. But I'd rather they became friends anyway.

Anyone experienced with rabbit/dog meetings?

[karliandjacko]

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@twinkles**stars wrote:

Have you asked if the dog is rabbit tested? You may be stressing unnessasary. 

If you can borrow a crate I'd pop the pup in one and let the rabbit check it dog out first.

Good luck

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Good idea.

[**tay**]

It's funny you talk about inside dogs, I'm a member of a few Great Dane groups on FB, and they ALL say Danes should be indoor only, they actually think it's cruel to have them outside!

As for your problem, with the pooch being outside, I'd just leave the back door open with your screen door shut, and let them 'feel' each other out. The one and only rabbit I ever owned was the boss of the house, it kept the dog AND the cat in line. The only animal it was wary of (believe it or not) was the cranky old peach face bird! You may find the bunny doesn't stress that much at all..

[i-need-a-martini]

Oi vay! I feel like a broken record...

She is a Bassett Hound. Not a little lap dog. Big dogs are outside dogs in my opinion. Bassetts may be short but if her parents are anything to go by, we expect she will weigh 40-45kg. It is ridiculous to keep a dog that size cooped up inside. Add to that the fact that she is a scent dog - she will WANT to be outside (as have all my other bassetts) as this (smelling) is what she does best.

She will come inside when we are home and can spend time with her inside. But otherwise she will have a kennel in the backyard and a good sized laundry with a large cushion at her disposal. She will be spending the majority of her time (if we include sleep time) outside. She will be outside when we are having dinner (as Bassetts have no control when it comes to food), when she is having dinner, when we go to sleep, when we go to work and school, when we are out or if we have people over.

She will not be on a chain.

She will not be in a run.

She will not be locked up anywhere.

She will have 1200m2 to herself of a leafy (and smelly) backyard.

She will be beautifully cared for and adored by everyone in my family.

She will be walked daily even though she won't want to.

She will have an inside cushion that she will probably never use.

Yes she will bark when she sees a cat or gets excited because she smells something. 

Yes she will howl if she ever corners another animal in the backyard or hears Celine Dion (as our last BH did).

No our neighbours won't hear as the 2 closest are stone deaf and she would have to be pretty loud to bark over the top of the 3 Maltese Terriers next door who bark at nothing 24/7.

Personally I have only ever met a handful of 'inside' dogs. Most peoples dogs are 'outside' dogs. I find it hard to believe that 4.2million pet dogs around the country spend their days cooped up inside their owners houses all day. What a sad thought.

[i-need-a-martini]

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@twinkles**stars wrote:

Have you asked if the dog is rabbit tested? You may be stressing unnessasary. 

If you can borrow a crate I'd pop the pup in one and let the rabbit check it dog out first.

Good luck

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Thanks twinkles.

Good idea. I will ask the breeder on the next call. She has come from a large property so perhaps she is used to having other non-dog animals around although she has been in a run since she was born. An OUTSIDE run I should point out lol!

What is a crate? Is that like a metal cage? 

[fourandsixpants]

 This pic is very sad isn't it?!.....I don't understand why a dog has to be made either an inside or an outside dog. IMPO if a future owner cannot offer the new pet dog both with a dog flap to get inside and out when it wants/or owner wants it outside, and plenty of healthy space then they should not consider getting a dog.

[fourandsixpants]

[twinkles**stars]

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@i-need-a-martini wrote:

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@twinkles**stars wrote:

Have you asked if the dog is rabbit tested? You may be stressing unnessasary. 

If you can borrow a crate I'd pop the pup in one and let the rabbit check it dog out first.

Good luck

---

Thanks twinkles.

Good idea. I will ask the breeder on the next call. She has come from a large property so perhaps she is used to having other non-dog animals around although she has been in a run since she was born. An OUTSIDE run I should point out lol!

What is a crate? Is that like a metal cage? 

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yes a metal cage.

I have always had inside dogs....but they are free to come in and out at their free will. Had a friend with a Basset hound. ...lazy girl she was who spent most of her time snoozing on a cushion in the kitchen lol She thought herself a princess!

[i-need-a-martini]

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@twinkles**stars wrote:

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@i-need-a-martini wrote:

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@twinkles**stars wrote:

Have you asked if the dog is rabbit tested? You may be stressing unnessasary. 

If you can borrow a crate I'd pop the pup in one and let the rabbit check it dog out first.

Good luck

---

Thanks twinkles.

Good idea. I will ask the breeder on the next call. She has come from a large property so perhaps she is used to having other non-dog animals around although she has been in a run since she was born. An OUTSIDE run I should point out lol!

What is a crate? Is that like a metal cage? 

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yes a metal cage.

I have always had inside dogs....but they are free to come in and out at their free will. Had a friend with a Basset hound. ...lazy girl she was who spent most of her time snoozing on a cushion in the kitchen lol She thought herself a princess!

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I will try and track down a cage. Maybe if I put her in one cage and lock the rabbit in her hutch close by..?

And yes they are unbelievably lazy and so prone to getting fat and unhealthy.

The last basset we had couldn't even be bothered standing up to eat her food - she used to just lay with her head on the side of the foodbowl and scoop up the food through the side of her mouth.

Another we had used to give up on walks about a block in. She used to just stop and there was no coaxing her to move. We'd have to pick her up and carry her home. Not easy when they weigh as much as they do...

And they do tend to find a comfortable spot inside and then refuse to move. At least if they are outside for most of the day they will move around a little.

[*mrgrizz*]

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@channys_mum wrote:

Just keep the pup on a leash for a few introductions and see how it goes.

When I lived in Vic I had a pet rabbit. The rabbit the cat and the dog all curled up together in front of the fire, they all lined up in the kitchen when I was preparing dinner, and they all lined up at the front gate as soon as they heard Mr Whippy 

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my dogs hear mr whippy before I do.

then they make sure i hear as well

[mtnlane]

Oi vey!  You sound like a broken record!

Had the track you were playing have said 'She will come inside when we are home' in your OP you might not have elicited the reactions you did.

My experience with basset hounds suggests she will yowl when she is left alone for extended periods of time.  This is an example where size definitely does not matter and whatever the size of your backyard her time out there alone will largely be just that - lonely! The barking terriers next door will only exacerbate the situation.

'Most peoples dogs are outside dogs'?  My experience suggests that, apart from working dogs, most (granted - not all) people allow their 'pet dogs' inside.  Nowhere did I suggest the pup might be 'cooped up' inside all day alone.  For large dogs that would be just as thoughtless and indeed cruel.