And you have done it again! Being an animal whisperer might be a full-time job, but the pleasure of being a pet parent far outweighs the challenges. This is precisely why you have managed to include a new addition to your family - a pup! Or a bunny! 

In either case, it is extremely essential to make sure that every member of your furry-family or otherwise - is comfortable and gets along well with the other. Given that dogs are among the most adopted animals in the United States, with as many as 63 million families owning a fluffy pup, if you have decided to include another furry friend to your family - you might have gone with the unconventional rabbit - an animal owned by just 1% of the American population. 

Given that rabbits are often considered prey animals, it is obvious that they might get frightened by an overly jovial and loud dog. Rabbits have significant fight or flight survival techniques that enable them to survive in wild surroundings. This is what your domesticated rabbit will also have and resort to on first meeting with a big predator like your dog.

So their first introduction must be planned as smoothly and carefully as possible. Read on to discover our efficient guide to making this meeting safe and friendly! 

The First Question - Will Your Rabbit and Dog Get Along Okay? 

If you already have a pup in the house and you are planning to include a rabbit in your ever-growing family, an important aspect to consider is whether your dog has any history of chasing after smaller animals. Take into account your pet’s behavior while you have taken it on walks and try to gain an understanding of whether it gets excited when spotting smaller animals.

All of this information can play a significant role in determining whether your dog will attack the rabbit on its first visit home. It is extremely important to recognize the predatory behavior of your dogs because rabbits have an unusual characteristic - they can quite literally die of fright.

There are also some specific dog breeds like Terriers and Golden Retrievers that are specifically trained to trap rabbits. To ensure that there are no unfortunate incidents taking place, ensure that your dog breed is rabbit-friendly.

And if you already have a dog that enjoys interactions with smaller, curiosity-piquing animals, then a rabbit might just be a great fit and good companion for your pet.

Consider adding an indoor rabbit hutch at later stages to better promote your rabbit’s safety indoors.

How Do You Introduce Your Dog to Your Rabbit? 

To introduce your dog to your rabbit, keep the following steps in mind: 

1. Consult before the Introduction

It is also important to consider a professional dog breeder's opinion before you decide on a dog-rabbit pairing. Try consulting a vet before this introduction happens as they will be able to provide you with an excellent step-by-step strategy to ensure that the introduction flows properly. 

A great dog breed to consider for rabbit pairings is a St. Bernard! Friendly and lovable gentle giants, these dogs make for excellent and easily trainable pets and are an option you can consider.

2. Try Obedience Training

It is a good idea to make your dog go through intensive obedience training sessions. Your dog should be able to recognize and respond immediately to any voice commands that you give which include basic instructions like sitting, staying, and lying down. 

Some vets can recommend excellent dog trainers that can allow them to socialize appropriately and learn the right commands for facilitating dog behavior in the household. Your dog will only and only listen to you if it believes that you are an authority figure and the leader of the pack. You can even consider getting a pet-sitter to help ensure a smoother and friendlier interaction.

3. Choose a Free and Comfortable Space 

The space in which you decide to introduce your rabbit and dog can play an important role in establishing a good introduction. In the wrong space, either animal can start displaying territorial behavior which can result in the introduction going sideways very fast.

Choose the space keeping in mind your control over both animals. For example, a fenced-off garden can be a good place to start. The more neutral the space, the easier it becomes for you to observe the interactions taking place. Pet-proof the place before the introduction happens to ensure both animals’ safety.

4. Keep Your Dog and Rabbit Secure in the First Meeting

Consider placing your rabbit in a safe environment like a travel cage which can allow it to feel safe and secure in a risky situation. Additionally, ensure that your dog is firmly under your control and is on a leash. Having your dog lying down or sitting can help you control it to a much better extent. 

Try to get your family members involved in the introduction because having an additional person facilitating the meeting can be helpful. The additional hands and eyes can recognize if there is potential for any harm in the situation.

5. Keep the Introduction Slow 

Try not to put the two animals together too fast as this might throw both of them off. Bring your dog into the room while the rabbit is in its cage to allow both to get acquainted with the new and unfamiliar scents. Use words of positivity and encouragement when your dog displays gentle behavior. Remember that you are the facilitator of this introduction so both animals should react to the tones that you use - both authoritative and gentle. 

Once they have registered the smells, allow the rabbit to slowly approach the dog. Keep a close watch on the body language of the rabbit and if you sense heavy breathing or continuous kicking, remove the dog immediately from the situation. On the other hand, if your dog is getting too excited, give it a time out in a corner of the room to allow it to calm down.

During the introduction, make sure that you are with the animals at all times! This is extremely important as it can help facilitate the meeting better. Cut the session short and keep them frequent over the next couple of days to ensure that your new family member assimilates into the house just fine!