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?

[channys_mum]

Waves to fresh

[i-need-a-martini]

---

@freshwater-2 wrote:

---

Absolutely freshwater - I am only concerned with the rabbit in all this. I know the dog will never harm her but will unwittingly terrorise her if I can't control the situation.

And our rabbit is especially skittish. She hasn't stepped foot in my kitchen for a week because she came face to face with a cockroach. So I am dreading her seeing the dog!

But if I can get the dog to remain calm, not chase and hopefully not bark then we might stand a chance.

[i-need-a-martini]

The laundry is outside so that won't work.

The rabbit spends most of its time on a large enclosed balcony we have off our living room. She has a large hutch there that is always unlocked. We use it mainly to keep her food safe from the birds.

I wonder if I should lock her up in her hutch and have the dog spend time (perhaps sleep) on the balcony too? That way the dog will be used to her smell before we actually have them meet..?

Oh what a dilemma...

[freshwater-2]

Hi sweet one.

How are you travelling?

[iapetus_rocks]

---

@i-need-a-martini wrote:

The laundry is outside so that won't work.

The rabbit spends most of its time on a large enclosed balcony we have off our living room. She has a large hutch there that is always unlocked. We use it mainly to keep her food safe from the birds.

I wonder if I should lock her up in her hutch and have the dog spend time (perhaps sleep) on the balcony too? That way the dog will be used to her smell before we actually have them meet..?

Oh what a dilemma...

---

I wasn't going to say anymore on this thread but,

If the rabbit spends most of its time on a large enclosed balcony and your dog is going to be an exclusively outside dog, then why are you even worrying about this at all, since the two animals will not be able to meet and greet, anyway?

If your rabbit spends only the rare occasional time outside, then you, as a responsible pet owner, should be prepared to at least chain your dog up at these times.

If your rabbit is "skittish" (I presume you mean Nervous) then why are you even considering introducing these animals to each other in the first place?

[iapetus_rocks]

Oh what a dilemma...

I see no "dilemma" at all; what I see is apparent laziness, coupled with a touch of misplaced hopefulness , mixed with a large dash of irresponsibility.

Sorry, but that's an opinion I formed from reading your own posts relating to this planned (but totally unnecessary) introduction.

[freshwater-2]

My view is that the OP is putting a lot of thought into the issue and the purpose of the post was a request for any HELPFUL suggestions, especially from those with experience.

No  matter what is the dog area and what is the rabbit area......their paths will continually cross in a shared  household.

[bright.ton42]

Nope, I don't see it as a dilemma either except of the OPs making.  From the majority of posts here most people would seem to feel  that

1   A dog should be part of the family and allowed inside much of the time regardless of breed, it's not just

    'lapdogs' this applies to.  

     (note - I did not say cooped up)

2    This meeting is fraught with uncertainties.   No-one can say with any surety that the dog won't want to chase the rabbit and

from the sound of it the dog will be punished if it does.    Unfair  to the dog.   The OP says his/her concern is for the

rabbit, fair enough    -   but mine is for the dog too,.   .   Sorry,   but I really love animals and

just think this is not a good idea  and will cause misery to all concerned including the OP.  

I would love to have a cat but I know my little dog hates cats.  I also know eventually after huge stress they would learn to

cohabit but the training involved would drive me nuts and be unfair to my dog.  A pupppy can be trained easily but an adult dog

not so easily. 

[watta*drama*queen]

Buy a real handbag rather than a dog to substitute for one

[*lady*godiva*]

I think the point lapetus is making is that the aquisition of the dog does seem unnecessary. The rabbit is already there. The thing is scared of a cockroach and yet a dog is being introduced to the equation. That's where the irresponsibility comes in. You have already committed a responsibility to the rabbit.

The meeting of these two animals is not "necessary". You have chosen to ignore the feelings of the rabbit because you want a dog as well.

You acknowledge that you are not confident in your ability to keep them apart, and that it will disturb household dynamics to try, yet you are going to risk the rabbit's happiness anyway.

As I said earlier, provide the rabbit a safe place to escape to should it feel overwhelmed or threatened by the dog. A place higher up - or a door in it's hutch that the dog can't fit through.