I have a 4 year old dutch rabbit and I will be moving in with my sister this summer. She just got a beagle puppy. I stayed with my sister over the holidays and brought my rabbit with me. We had to keep the two of them separated because she was running around my rabbit's pen, getting too excited and rowdy. I'm not sure if my rabbit was scared or just annoyed...she charged the puppy a few times but did not try to bite.
I'm just wondering how this is going to work out when I move in with her. Should I keep them separate until the puppy is grown up and more calm, or should I try to socialize them now? The puppy will still be about 9 months this summer.
Also, my BF used to hunt rabbits with his uncle's beagles. He is convinced that my rabbit and my sister's beagle will never get along. Is this true? I tried to explain to him that there is a difference between them being indoors together vs. being outdoors in a more natural environment.
What do you think?
2007-01-24 06:58:54 · 7 answers · asked by gobanana516 4 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I have a Springer Spaniel hes a hunting dog but him and my rabbit would lay outside in the summer and take naps.
Hold your bunny in a towel and get her smell and some fur on it. Give it your sisters puppy and let him get used to the smell. You will want to do the same thing with the puppy. Then place it were the rabbit can smell it.
Also try having your sister hold her puppy as you hold your rabbit and just let them sniff each other. Also you might want to invest in a rabbit leash. That way both pets can be on a leash and on the floor with you having full control.
It could take many tries but they will get used to each other.
My spaniel even helped me raise orphan wild rabbits. So it is possible that they will get along.
2007-01-24 07:06:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Your boyfriend may be right because Beagles natural instincts are to kill rabbits since they are used to hunt them down. It does not matter if it is indoors or not. A Beagle is a Beagle and it will retain its natural hunting instincts. However, I think that you may be able to make them get a long by having them socialize for a few bits at a time, each time getting a little longer. This will require strict supervision and if the Beagle attempts to harm the rabbit, catch him in the act and punish him by using a time out or something. Do this everytime and eventually, maybe, they will get along. If you plan on doing this do it now while its a puppy so it isnt as deadly. I am not a dog trainer but I do know quite a bit about dogs so dont blame me if something goes wrong.
2007-01-24 18:39:33 · answer #2 · answered by Dougy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would not take the risk.
Only, only, only supervised play, if you do get the two of them together. It might seem like the beagle accepts the rabbit into his pack, but suddenly he could notice that his little friend definitely isn't another dog.
If you're determined, it's important to know about the beagle's genetics. Did any of its recent ancestors hunt, or was it bred for show or as a pet for many generations? If it has a recent hunting ancestry, definitely do not leave them alone together, unless you're sure a dog twice the beagle's size could never break into the rabbit's enclosure. If it doesn't have a recent hunting ancestry, same applies.
Don't risk your rabbit's life. You're not staying at your sister's house forever.
2007-01-24 17:11:54 · answer #3 · answered by Rachel R 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can try gradually introducing them, but LEAVE THE RABBIT IN THE CAGE!! Don't ever let them play together on the floor!
Dogs will go after something that runs, which is why they are used to hunt and why the rabbit should not be out of the cage around the dog (unless you are very securely holding it!) As they get used to each other, the rabbit will cease to be a curiosity to the dog, and the dog will not be frightening any more to the rabbit.
I would suggest putting the rabbit's empty cage in the house with the dog (with a day or two of urine/droppings in the tray) for a few days so the dog gets used to the presence and smell of the cage and won't be so excited and frightening when the rabbit moves in.
2007-01-24 17:37:16 · answer #4 · answered by BB 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes the rabbit can get scared and annoyed. If it's charging at the dog, I would say that it's annoyed and wants the dog to go away. Yes, the dog and rabbit can live piecefully together.
If that particular beagle has hunted rabbits, I would keep a very close eye on it because it has had a taste of rabbit hunting. If it hasn't hunted, you "shouldn't" have a problem.
2007-01-24 15:06:27 · answer #5 · answered by Veneta T 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'd be very cautious with that- beagles have a high prey drive and you may just want to avoid any interaction at all for your rabbit's safety.
I agree with your BF.
2007-01-24 15:03:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that you shuold try to get them to get along now. having a dog that is very excited by rabbits is VERY annoying. Because its a hound dog, he will have instincts to hunt the rabbit. NEVER leave them alone together. They may never be able to get along.
2007-01-24 18:02:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋