Introducing Chelsea to Spooky

[alexa]

I have a teacup yorkie dog, whose name is Chelsea. She is a therapy dog and is almost 16 years old. My parents are going out of town this weekend and I’m supposed to watch her. I want to bring her to the new house and see how she will do with Spooky. How should I do this? I don’t want anything to go wrong. She is such a sweet dog, but I know that her breed is part terrier.

 

Here are some photos of her:

 

 

 

 

 

[Deleted User]

A first meeting between dog and rabbit is best done with the rabbit inside a carrier. The carriers with the plastic sides so the bunny can feel somewhat safe. Put the carrier with the rabbit inside on the ground to let the dog sniff around it. Depending on your dog’s obedience training this can go very well, or not so well. A very excited dog is extremely frightening to a rabbit. If your dog goes all nuts over the bunny in the carrier, you will know you have to proceed very slowly, do many introductory sessions before the dog can actually have a face-to-face meeting with the rabbit. Don’t do this carrier-intro in Spookie’s space, where he lives, as this will only add insult to injury (figuratively speaking). Rabbits do not approve of other animals in their territory.

If your dog is very well-trained, as you mention she is a therapy dog, and knows her commands reliably, you might have a good introduction.

It is a good idea to leash Chelsea to correct her while she investigates the rabbit in the carrier. If she is calm and controlled, you can hold Spookie while she meeets him but you need another person to help you with this in case Chelsea does go nuts over the rabbit.

[Beka27]

She’s a gorgeous dog! My parents have a yorkie… ;o)

Honestly, if you are only watching the dog for the weekend, I would not do any formal introductions. Dog-rabbit introductions are very delicate and should be done over a length of time when both animals are permanent residents in the home. This may end up stressing your rabbit out unnecessarily… and since he isn’t staying, I don’t see any need.

[MimzMum]

I just wanted to add that I love how adorable Chelsea is! She’s a therapy dog? Is that the same as a service dog? How does she do that, and what does she do? I’ve been trying to train my Yorkie cross to try to wake me if she finds me unresponsive (by flopping onto the bed and rewarding her when she comes up and digs at my chest) and it’s going well, but sometimes she just ignores me and plays with her toys. lol….
How big is a teacup Yorkie full grown? Jenna is about 22 inches nose to tail tip and weighs about 5-6 lbs. And she doesn’t have anywhere near that much coat. We think she’s either a Chihuahua or Miniature Pinscher half breed.
And yes, if pooch is not going to be back or stay long, probably best that she and bunny are ignorant of one another. My girl does well around my bunnies, is only mildly curious from time to time, but I still don’t leave her alone around them at all, nor do I mix them together.

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