2006-12-26 08:43:08 · 6 answers · asked by ~Bunny~ 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
'Tis not a good idea to mix the natural prey drive of a Terrier (your Schnauzer) with it's natural prey (a rabbit). Can you not rethink this partnership? Might not be good for the rabbit in the long-run? Too stressful on the dog in the long-run, being forced not to give chase. Think about how you would feel if, after all seems well, the dog kills the rabbit, accidently, or on purpose.
"Some words to describe the Standard Schnauzer in various Books and Articles have included: aloof, ***high prey drive***,..............the breed today still has many of it's original qualities as a Herding Dog, ***Vermin slayer***...........". Quoted from the website
http://www.keygoldeschnauzers.com/breeds.php
I would love to have a Jack Russell Terrier, but I have pet rats. It might be possible to keep the two enemies apart, but for the long run, I won't chance it. So I won't be getting a JRT. I thought long and hard and did my homework so as to not put my resident pets in jeopardy.
spazrats
Dog Obedience Instructor 30+ years experience
2006-12-26 09:06:21 · answer #1 · answered by spazrats 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Never, ever, EVER leave your rabbit where the schnauzer can get to it. Even dogs that seem to get along fine with rabbits can decide to play too hard with them one day and kill them. I know, because we lost two of our bunnies that way, who had been great friends with our dogs.
2006-12-27 02:22:20 · answer #2 · answered by SLWrites 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hm well when you bring the rabbit home, don't let anything by it after you set everything up just leave him be so much stress on the poor thing dont want to freak it out now do ya? :) Ok so about a day later once it's calmed down a bit go in and pet him then maybe try rubbing a dry wash cloth over it's fur and let you're dog sniff it. Don't get to hopeful since dogs have an insticnt(sp?) to hunt animals it's sad but true. Hope you're dog likes you're bunny :).
2006-12-26 17:46:08 · answer #3 · answered by Dog Lover 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Introduce them outside of the home. That way your dog won't feel threatened about something else coming into his territory. Being that the rabbit is mostly likely smaller than your dog, you may have an easy time introducing them. At the same time, if your dog is used to being the only pet, he may get quite agitated that he's going to have to share his people with something else. Only time will tell if the animals will adapt to each other. Good luck.
2006-12-26 16:52:16 · answer #4 · answered by mistresscris 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most dogs see rabbits as toys so be careful! You need to have an indoor cage big enough so the rabbit can feel safe and can hide in a box.
Mine were all litter trained, BUT THEY CHEW, Tables, TV Wires, ZAAAP! Rabbits must chew to keep their teeth from growing too long.
After i got my Terriers who are true human lovers but see rabbits and nummies I had to find homes for my rabbits and rats.
2006-12-26 16:50:19 · answer #5 · answered by rubystandingdeer 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Animals will make friends with each other on their own terms and time. There is nothing you can do to hurry this along.
2006-12-26 16:48:48 · answer #6 · answered by Veneta T 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋