How to introduce a dog to rabbits

Nearly half of all pet owners have at least one dog. Maybe you are one of them, so if you want to raise more rabbits, what will you need to do? To maintain a good relationship with your pet, you should learn how to get to know each other. By choosing your pet’s breed, training it to be obedient, and taking it slow, your pets will always get along. Note that rabbits are hunted animals and do not have the instinct to befriend dogs. Rabbits will feel threatened and stressed by the dog, so be prepared to keep your rabbit and dog separate forever if they can’t live together.

Table of Contents

Choosing the right pet

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Research rabbit-friendly dog breeds. If you have more dogs, you need to make sure they love rabbits. Retrievers, Labradors and Terrys should not be kept as these are instinctively catching and hunting animals such as rats and rabbits. These breeds are known for their hunting instincts. ^{[1] X Research Source}

The breed of the dog does not necessarily determine the personality of the dog. You need to observe their behavioral characteristics before introducing other pets.
Breeders may have a different opinion on which breed is suitable for a rabbit house. You need to be aware of conflicting information when bringing your dog home.

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Choose a dog-friendly rabbit breed. Currently, rabbit breeds are quite diverse and like dogs, this animal also has many different characteristics. You should choose a rabbit that is sociable with dogs. Some rabbit breeds have a sociable nature including ^{[2] X Research Source} :

Sussex
Dutch (Netherlands)
Himalayan
Havana
Californian

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Consult a veterinarian. You should talk to your veterinarian before bringing a new pet home. Make sure your current pets are healthy and get along well. Animals that are stressed or injured are more likely to become aggressive. Your veterinarian will examine your pet and give you special instructions regarding your new pet.

Prepare for acquaintance

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Conduct obedience training. The dog needs to be well trained and able to respond well to verbal commands. Dogs must listen and respond to your commands. You will be in control in this meeting. Dogs need to know basic commands like sit, stay, and lie down. You can teach your pet these simple commands:

Take a obedience training class. Most veterinarians recommend a qualified trainer. Some pet stores even offer communication and obedience classes for dogs. You and your dog not only learn the necessary commands, but also how to bond closely. Your dog will listen and pay attention to you if he is comfortable with seeing you as his master and authority. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
Command training for dogs. If you and your dog need to review training content such as sitting, you should train your pet in a comfortable place such as at home. ^{[4] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to the source} Training these commands helps your dog adapt to speech and will listen to you more. Command content needs to be appropriate for both you and your pet.

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Find a neutral location. You should not allow pets that intend to invade the territory in the training area. In addition, you should also choose a location where you can control both animals. The training area can be a living room or a family room. You should avoid pet eating or resting areas, as they may have an instinct to defend their territory. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Do not put pressure on both animals. The neutral position helps the pet not feel stressed by external environmental influences. Just meeting you is stressful enough! Make sure the dog is not restrained by a leash or collar that is too tight.
The neutral position also makes you more comfortable. You need to relax in this area and be able to observe the interactive activity. Choose a location that is comfortable for both you and your pet.

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Place your rabbit in a safe environment, such as a travel crate. During the first introduction, you should leave rabbits in a safe place where they cannot escape. This also helps protect the rabbit if something unexpected happens.

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Control the dog. During the first meeting, you need to make sure that your pet is well controlled. Experts recommend letting your dog sit or lie down. This helps you keep a close eye on your pets, as well as a way to keep them under control.

Let the pets get to know each other

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Give pets slow exposure. Do not move suddenly or push the two animals together too quickly. You should bring one into a room where the other is available so they can smell each other. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Give pets time to get to know each other. You should not push and scare them.
Let’s get used to it slowly with a positive attitude. You should encourage your pet with words like: “Very nice,” or “Take it easy.” Your pet will listen and respond to your firm and gentle words.

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Bring your pet close. The next step in it is to bring the two animals together. You should let the rabbit approach the dog. This avoids stimulating the rabbit’s instinct to run away, thereby helping to avoid stimulating the dog’s hunting instinct. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Pay attention to body language while meeting. If your rabbit kicks, gasps, or tries to run away, you should remove the dog from the room and reassure the rabbit. Also note that stressed rabbits may squat on the ground and try to ‘fake death.’ If the rabbit does not run away, this does not mean that they accept the dog’s presence. Maybe the rabbit is too scared and can’t move.
If your dog is too excited, you should calm him down by asking him to sit still for a few minutes to calm down.

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Observe your pet closely. Whatever the case, you shouldn’t leave the two of you together for the first time without anyone by your side. No matter how harmonious they seem to be, you shouldn’t let them go.

Make sure each animal is in a good mood when meeting each other. Animals are also unhappy at times, just like humans. You should not let them in contact when either is sick or stressed.

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Meet shortly. Prolonged exposure can cause agitation in pets. They may unintentionally harm each other. You need to monitor the emotional level of your two children; When one side shows signs of tension, you should stop the meeting here.

Interaction tracking

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Regular practice. Pets may not get to know each other right away and this is completely normal. You should gradually bring both of you together until it becomes a habit. Eventually, the two pets will adapt to each other’s sight and familiar smells.

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Always pay attention to pets. Just like children, you shouldn’t leave your pet unattended! Unexpected events can trigger aggressive instincts in dogs. Or a loud sound that scares rabbits. You need to supervise pets to ensure their safety. ^{[9] X Research Source}

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Separate dining area. Animals are naturally protective of their territory while eating or near food. You should feed each child in a different room. If either one of you shows aggression while eating, you should feed the two pets at two different times of the day. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Other territories may include the pet’s sleeping or toileting areas. Be careful when dogs and rabbits approach each other near these locations.
Pets can also engage in territorial defense from yourself. They may develop jealousy because you pay more attention to the other child. You should take care of both so that pets do not use their protective instincts.

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Patient. Making new friends is not easy! You need to give your pet time to get used to its new owner, home, and new friends.

Steps

Choosing the right pet

Prepare for acquaintance

Let the pets get to know each other

Interaction tracking

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