Roomate got a Dog….

[sarah11]

Hello everyone,

I have had my bunny for about a year and a half.  She lives in a Condo in my room and comes out to play in my room and the bathroom for a few hours everyday.  She seems very happy.

Yesterday, my roomate got a dog without asking me.  A Jack Russell Terrier.  I am heartbroken and know that my apartment is no longer a safe environment for my bunny.  Not only will I not be able to let her out, I will have to keep the door to my bedroom shut all the time.  I also do not want to live in a constant state of fear the dog will slip into my room and something would happen to her.

What are my options? What do I do? Do I give her away or is it better to let her spend her life in her cage? I need help.  I am so upset by this.  Moving out isn’t an option because our lease has another 11 months. 

Thanks.

[LizzieKnittyBun]

omygosh… did she even talk to you before doing that?

[sarah11]

Her boyfriend has a dog that comes over often and I just shut my doors. So I think she assumed it would be fine if we got one since a dog comes over often already. I was fine with his dog visiting, just not a permanent one. Plus, she adopted it because it was “cute” and I don’t think put much thought into it.

[LizzieKnittyBun]

Well, I think it’s really inconsiderate of her to do something so rash without even consulting you. If she really wanted a dog, maybe she could have gotten one that was less instinctually dangerous to small animals!

Have you talked to her about this?

[sarah11]

I have talked to her. She said I could keep my door shut but anytime that the bunny wants to come out, I could put her dog in the kennel. That sounds fine, but it’s just not practical. Like I said, I also just don’t want my bunny to be in an environment where the dog could slip in without me realizing and get her.

[LizzieKnittyBun]

I’m sorry that happened. That’s such a worrisome situation.

[Karla]

As far as I know, Jack Russels are quite smart and willing to learn, so you should be able to teach it not to harm your bunny. Maybe you and your room mate can set up free time for each of your pets at specific times, so that when you have your bunny out, she keeps her dog in her room or takes it for a long walk. And when it is time for the dog to be outside her bedroom, then you know you should keep the door closed to your bedroom.

Also, you could get a baby gate to put in your doorway, so you don’t necessarily need to keep the door closed. Just make sure the dog cannot jump over it.

[Sarita]

Jack Russells are smart but they are tenacious so I would imagine that it would not ever be safe for your rabbit and the dog to be around each other. I think it would cause anxiety for both the rabbit and the dog.

However that being said, I say just keep the door to your room closed. I don’t think you should give up your rabbit just because of this. It would be difficult to find a good home like yours and you will be able to move eventually even though it’s not an option now.

[Deleted User]

Seriously a JRT is everybunny’s worst nightmare. It would take some very dedicated training to direct this type of dog to anything other than chasing a rabbit. Since the terrier isn’t yours, I would put a lock on your room if I were you.

[sarah11]

Yes, I don’t trust the dog at all even if I try to train it. It’s not worth the risk. The problem is that I can’t get in and out of my room. There’s always a chance the dog will slip in, especially if it smells a rabbit. I can’t stay out of my room and leave my poor bunny isolated in there. She also loves to go in the den to her x-pen and do binkies. I can’t do that anymore. I’m so upset about all of this and at a loss for what to do. Main point is, no matter how well i keep her away from the dog, there’s always that small chance and I can’t live with myself if something happens to her.

[Sarita]

Can you lock your door when your not home? I understand your concerns for the well being of your bunny but finding another home may not be better for her unless it’s someone you absolutely trust and know. I know it’s not fair either that she no longer has the freedom she had and I think that’s totally rotten but I hope you can make it work somehow safely for your bunny. Just give yourself a little time to think through what you can do to make it work before you make any decisions to rehome her otherwise you may regret that even more.

[Lintini]

She probably got it without asking because she knew you would have a problem with it – at least that’s how I act in a situation when I know I will be told no. Be really careful. Terriers are extremely high energy. That dog will need lots of play time and places to run to burn off that steam, I hope your roommate is aware of that. I would also suggest getting a lock on your door. You can’t trust your roommates, however much you think they care about your pets, they don’t love them as much as you. And it would ruin your friendship if something happened because she was careless with your rabbit. I had the same problem with my roomie and my indoor cats. I was constantly freaked out that she would let them out and that they would escape and get hit by a car. Don’t risk anything, take all precautions. I don’t let my rat terrier anywhere near my bunnies..the taste of rodents are in her blood.

[Andi]

Time to find a new roomate maybe?
You may have to make designated bunny time out, it’s good that she’s ok with putting the dog in a crate when it’s time for the bunny to come out. I would watch some Dog Whisperer, and teach this pup your space is off limits (AKA Your Room), to help with your anxity. Read up on jack russles to better understand the breed, so you can better protect you bunny.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Perhaps you guys can get a whiteboard or a calendar, and write down designated “bunny times”?  Times that you both agree the dog will be put in her room, in a crate, taken on a walk, whatever.  I’m sure you can make this work if you try!

[BunnyLiz]

I agree with scheduling dog and bunny times. Just do not ever let the dog in your room, even if the bunny is safely put away, you want the dog to know it is not his turf. As far as the dog slipping into your room when you open the door goes, Id put a gate at your door as Karla suggested. Always have your door closed, but when you want in or out the baby gate will prevent him from running in. I have a gate at my door to keep my beagles out and I just have to close my door when I leave the house. I know jack russells are more energetic then beagles but I think it would still work

[Elrohwen]

I agree with others that a JRT is probably not going to be ok around your bunny ever. My friend has an extremely sweet JRT who sent a cat to the ICU in seconds 🙁 I don’t let her visit anymore because of the bunnies.

One idea I had – is there a way to put up a baby gate in the hallway in front of your bedroom door? Then you step over the gate and open your door. That way the dog can’t slip in and the bunny can’t slip out, or if the bunny does slip out, it will at least have a baby gate separating it from the dog. Not sure if that would work the way your place is set up, but it was the best solution I could think of.

[Dextervonbon]

I would be careful about the baby gate too because JRT can jump really high and might jump over the gate. I am really sorry about your situation, that wasn’t nice that she just snuck the dog in like that without asking.

[Elrohwen]

That’s very true, they can jump high. But if it’s just blocking off her door so the dog doesn’t slip in, I think it’ll still work. The dog will have to jump over it and run after you, which isn’t really sneaky. I wouldn’t use just a baby gate though – I would still always have the bedroom door shut.

[Deleted User]

Is this dog really going to stay? Sometimes when people get one on a whim it doesn’t work out.

[Beka27]

I would not give up your rabbit. There will be times the dog will be outside or with the roommate, right? Is there a way you can separate your room and space from the other person’s? Besides, even if you have to live like this for the next year, your bun will be with you much longer than that!

[Alika613]

I have two dogs, a Chow Chow and a German Shepherd, both of which are at least mid thigh height wise, and one is 65 lbs, the other is 80. I think I mentioned somewhere that I was afraid of what 145 lbs of muscle and pure prey drive could do to my rabbit. Since then I’ve reached a few conclusions.

No dog should be left around with a rabbit. Duncan loves the bunny, but if the rabbit starts to burrow, he gets excited. It’s too easy for a dog to go into prey drive and hunt that rabbit down.

You get out, what you put in. I worked with my dogs and rabbit, so the relationship grew, but if you don’t put any effort in, you won’t get anything worthwhile out.

I know I’m not the most experienced rabbit owner on here, but I can attest that it is not impossible to keep both dogs and rabbits in a home. I know that you kind of got the short end of the stick with a Jack Russel, tenacious, high prey drive, more energy than a red bull, but I think if you are careful, your rabbit will survive.

Don’t let the dog in your room, not even once. You want your room to be mysterious, that way he’ll be hesitant to enter if he ever gets the opportunity.
Create the chart, and VERBALLY warn your roommate when you intend to let your rabbit out of its cage. If she’s working late, and you fear she’ll forget your rabbit is out, leave a sticky note on your door.
Bond with the dog. Be a source of calmness, if you’re enjoying a cup of tea in the living room, or watching TV out there, invite him over for a patting, but invite him to relax with you. You want him to be able to lie down, and chill out with you. If he knows that you are a source of calmness, it will take him longer to go from zero to sixty.
TRAIN STAY, LEAVE IT, and CRATE. CRATE has literally saved my sanity more times than I can count. One time Cameron (the Chow that rips open stuffed animals within 10 minutes) was looking up the stairs and I thought she might try to get into my room where Victoria is (the door was shut, but still). All I had to do was say happily “crate!” and she ran inside and waited for her treat. It’s perfect because it’s a lesson in which the dog puts itself in a position where you have absolute control, and all for a piece of cheese. If this dog only learns one thing, let it be CRATE.

-Alika

[BinkyBunny]

I would also not depend on the gate because the dog could still get excited around the gate — bark scratch and just terrify your bunny.

I know you are in a lease, but the lease did not include the roommate having a dog right? If it were me I would try and get out of it with that being the reason. I know moving is a big deal, but it sounds like your roommate is not considerate, and according to you, this was not a thought-out decision. She obviously wasn’t really considering the real danger and so that would worry me with how she would handle the rest of the situation. I agree with Petzy that while you live there – put a lock on your door so that she can’t make a deadly mistake of getting something or returning something to your room and leaving the door open. Even if your bunny is in a cage, a rabbit can be scared to death. (all depends on how the dog actually reacts of course).

[RabbitPam]

As hard as it is to move, the bunny is yours and permanent, and roommates are temporary. (Thank god.) This one sounds like someone to lose in a hurry. I think the notion about the lease is very wise, since it may work in your favor. If your landlord forbids dogs, and you have a problem with a dog in the house for great reasons, then maybe it’s time for roommate and Terrier to find herself a new home. You stay, she goes.

Either way, start putting out feelers for a new roommate. This one is not dealing you a good hand and will only be less considerate over time. Even having her boyfriend bring a dog over when you have a bunny – so you have to shut yourself away for safety – stinks. I think a move or an eviction of crummy roomie will do you and your bunny a world of good. Then make sure you and the next roommate have a solid understanding of what the house rules are.

Frankly, I decided years ago that I would rather live in a smaller place than deal with another roommate. I had a studio apartment with a low-paying job that was very nice for me and my kitty. No one else to bother us.

[Kiley Rose]

What about your roomate keeping her dog in her room while she’s out? You keep your rabbit in yours… you shouldn’t have to completely change everything to accomodate her impulse decision. I think talking to the landlord is a good idea as well.

[Barbie]

The thing about the lease is tricky though… depending on her situation. I know that some apartments will sign leases with each individual person and basically each roommate is signing for a bedroom (possibly a bathroom) and a shared common area (and possibly a shared bathroom). A lot of apartments on campus that cater to students do this. I think it’s great, because that way if one of your roommies isn’t paying rent, it’s a problem between them and management, not them, you and management. And that way you’re only liable for your portion of the rent. If your lease is this way, then definitely see about talking to management and getting your roommate and the dog out. However, if this is what I consider to be a typical apartment (you don’t have individual leases but rather signed the same lease for the apartment) then even if management asks your roommate to move, you’d still be on the hook for the entire amount of the rent.

Most likely, the apartment isn’t going to kick out your roommate for this (unless the lease says so) they’ll probably just ask her to get rid of the dog. Be careful though… if there is a strict no pet policy, you could be jeopardizing your rabbit too, so review your lease first!

That really is a bummer about the dog though. And a JRT of all things! Poor you! I hope you get something worked out!

Another possibility is for you to move. Find someone to take over the rest of the lease for you in that apartment and then move to a 1 bedroom or a studio. After a year an a half of living in the dorms and then with roommates, I got fed up and moved into a 1 bed 1 bath apartment, and it is wonderful! Granted, more expensive than having a roommate, but all the hassles and headaches I can avoid by living without a roommate are so worth it to me to be on my own.

[Nibbles_NZ]

I would be really upset by that! That was very inconsiderate. I don’t think you could teach any dog not to harm a bunny. It’s in it’s nature. Nor do I think you can teach the dog to stay out of your room while it can smell a bunny in there. It’s going to want to go in there because of that. Just the dog being in the house might upset a bunny. Your bunny has been comfortable with it’s environment for quite a while and now it can smell a predator. That is very scary for a bunny. I’m so sorry to hear that! I agree with Beka I would absolutly NOT give your bunny up. I would tell your friend to take the dog to her boyfriends house or get a new room mate. I know that probably isn’t what you wanted to hear though I’m sorry

[Nibbles_NZ]

It does seem like a good idea to talk to the landlord about the dog but is the landlord going to then tell you that you can’t have a bunny?

[Alika613]

I just found the website of a woman that breeds German Angora rabbits AND Jack Russel Terriers. I don’t know if she allows them to interact, but it’s kind of funny that I found it after you posted this.

I also googled Jack Russells and pet rabbits, and found two other people that own Jack Russells and own rabbits. They let the animals interact, just not when they aren’t around to supervise. One even describes her dog liking to play with the pet Rat.

-Alika

[angelicvampyre]

It’s possible to have rabbits and dogs you just need to work a few things out. I have a fence that I can hope over (or open) built so that my dgos can not get to my rabbits. During the day when i am at work the cat is in the living room that is attached to the study (where the rabbits are) and the dogs are locked out of this section of the house to be on the safe side. When i am home the dogs are allowed into the living room but not the study EVERY.

it took a few months but they get it now, only issue I have is when my dad comes down with his lab she rushes the barrier and scares them so I have to be careful. it is possible so don’t give up hope, you just might need to work out a few things.

[BinkyBunny]

Though I agree that dogs and rabbits can live together — supervised (as there was a hunting type of breed — bird dog that was so gentle around the rabbit shelter, but there are some things that still concern me about this situation just from your own description.

I’d say if this was YOUR Jack Russell it may be different but because this is your roommates dog, and your description of her behavior –“She adopted it because it was “cute” and I don’t think she put much thought into it”, that you may not have as much control, so you will need to be extra careful obviously and I’d go for the full lock on the door if you decide to stay.

[Furface]

Last year I adopted a free roam bunny from a home with a Jack Russel. They were great friends. The bunny had been living with the dog for 2 years. While it’s not a breed I would choose, it’s not a completely impossible situation. However lots & lots of training would be needed.

By the way I have 5 rabbits – 3 of which are escape artists so thay are out with my dog whenever they wish. None of the bunnies are afraid of the dog. They like to sit under her. She grooms them. She is a 55 pound sheperd collie lab mix. She chases the critters outside but knows the ones in the house are not to be chased. I would not free feed the dog, to many are food protective. Mine shares her water dish with the buns – at the same time – it’s very cute to see the bunny push the dogs nose out of the way. I wouldn’t trust her with food though, she growls at the cat over food.

[Alika613]

Furface,

It’s awesome that your animals have such a great relationship.  Did you get your dog as a puppy and have rabbits at the same time so they got used to each other early?  Or did you get her as an adult and train/did it come naturally to her?

My dog, Cameron the Chow Chow, was excellent with our first rabbit.  She was a puppy and would just lick it and ignore it and maybe the occassional sniff, but she was a little under a year when that rabbit passed on, and we didn’t get another rabbit until she turned 2, by then it seemed she had fogotten that they were nothing special- so I’ve had to retrain her. 

-Alika

[Furface]

sorry for the late responxe –
I had the 2 rabbits in my siggy when the dog was a puppy. I chose her because of her breed mix – I wanted a gentle protector. I can’t see myself having critters that have to be kept apart. It was long time before I really trusted her with the bunnies alone – like 2 years – she is an exceptional girl – she tells me if someone is out of their cage – ratted out the mouse last week – whined until I looked – LOL

[Alika613]

That’s really cool. I love large, diverse families that live in harmony.

-Alika

[RabbitPam]

sarah11,
Any update on your situation?

[Nibbles_NZ]

It is very cool that your dog is nice and gentle with your bunnies but that is not a very common thing. Though it may not be impossible, it is not ideal for a dog to not hurt or eat a rabbit. It only takes one time. I would not trust any dog, let alone a JRT with my rabbits.

* Sarah11, update! lol we want to hear from you.

[sarah11]

Ok, Update!

Things are going alright I guess.  The dog is in her crate during the day and if my roomate is not home, I will let the bunny out.  She’s getting a fair enough of play time, but I don’t have the option to always let her out like I used to.  The dog is well behaved for the most part and has not been in my room.  I will let everyone know if the situation changes!

[Beka27]

Very good! Your bunny is going to be much better with you, even in a less-than-perfect situation, b/c honestly, there are no perfect situations… but we do the best we can.

[Author]

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