Dog and very nervous rabbit. Please help?

[Brambino]

Bramble is my furbaby and a scaredy cat. 

We picked up Toby, an old Cocker spaniel yesterday. His owners need to sell their house and move into rented accommodation and can’t find somewhere to take pets. Toby is a mature and calm dog. Whilst I would never ever leave them alone, he shows absolutely no interest in Bramble and is far happier sleeping to bother with her. 

The problem is Bramble is very very bothered by Toby. I’ve kept Toby out of her space but if I try to stroke Bramble and I smell like dog, she runs, hides and thumps. If they see each other, she runs, hides and thumps. She is so scared I just don’t know whether having Toby will work. I know it’s a gradual process but she can’t even look at him without working herself into a frenzy and unless I shower and  change my clothes, she won’t even let me touch her.

Any ideas??? I’m at a bit of a loss. I feel terrible because if we don’t take Toby he may have to go to a rescue but Bramble has to come first and she is not happy.

[Love4Bunny]

When you say “frenzy”, what does she do? How does she behave? The thumping sounds like a normal reaction to something new and strange, but I’ve read where rabbits get fussy with new animals (of course, often with other rabbits). I can relate because Crysta is of a shyer persuasion, and while each rabbit is different, it has just taken many, many months for Crysta to come round. Maybe that is the case with Bramble. Perhaps you could wear an old t-shirt over your clothes for the dog, and just remove it and wash your hands when you go to play with Bramble. Also, maybe it’s because Bramble is an only child that she’s behaving this way… I say keep the dog and don’t react to anything Bramble does, cos animals also feed off our reactions and energy.

[Brambino]

Thanks l4b. She thumps and runs in circles hiding behind the sofa! She won’t come out for a good hour and if she sees him again she’s straight back behind the sofa. I definitely think you’re right, it’s because she’s an only child. I’m sure if she had a bonded husbun she would be braver but Bramble has rejected all suitors at speed dating :s I think she likes getting all the attention!

[Love4Bunny]

Yes, jealousy is a close second to fear when it comes to rabbits. I’d say bossiness, but that’s not an emotion
If you don’t already, I’d pull out the good treats, and some hay for Bramble when the new dog is around. You could also sit on the floor in her area and calmly stroke her ears or cheeks when she approaches you. I would try to make positive associations when the dog comes out: extra treats (fruit), grooming, hidey houses, greens.

[Dface]

My rabbits were both 100% anti dog when I first got them. My dog lived here first so there was never a choice, they were going to have to get along.
Sampras was very bad, like Bramble, running away, cowering,thumping and grunting- just from the smell of her. Literally just having a big ole nope about the dog.

I worked at it slowly. I introduced the concept that the dogs smell, although alarming and unpleasant meant nothing. So it started off, I’d smell a bit like the dog, then the dogs bed would be in the room for a little while(this can be very overpowering so not always a good idea) then I took one of his teddies(that smelled like him) and wiped it over the dogs back, and replaced it in his cage.
His curiosity won out and he eventually got okay with her smell. After the smell part introducing them was the next big step, but now they he is completely confident around her!

Keep in mind to a rabbit, a dog is a predator that is a threat, so your bunny is just listening to its instincts. It takes patience

[Author]

Messages