Moving to a house with dogs

[sarahthegemini]

Grr, due to housing issues, me and my partner may have to move in with my mum – with our rabbits of course. We’ve discussed the logistics and the bunnies would have a room to themselves but it’s significantly small,  probably about 5ft by 7ft. Me and partner will have the other equally small room. Naturally, this concerns me because my rabbits are used to free roaming an entire (albeit small) house. Second issue, my mum has dogs. Two German shepherds. I know I can keep dogs and buns from ever meeting (will keep doors shut at all times and use stair/baby gates etc) however, they bark obviously. I’m so worried that the living situation will stress the buns out, especially Peanut who as you know is a timid noise sensitive bun. It saddens me because he is SO comfy in this house, moving is really going to set him back anyway I’m not sure what I’m looking for, some reassurance that it isn’t the worse thing in the world I suppose. Only bonus is we will have more money so I can spoil them even more with toys and stuff, and the bunny room won’t have any human furniture so they’ll have very square inch of it.

[Luna]

“It isn’t the worst thing in the world,” <<< requested reassurance . You’ve taken such great care of them that I know everything will turn out ok . Maybe introduce Peanut and Buttercup’s scents to the dogs, and vice versa, before you move? It might help keep their first introduction less exciting; less stress for the buns and lower excitement (less barking) for the dogs.

[Dface]

I wouldn’t stress too much about it. As much as a worry as it is, rabbits do adjust well and Peanut still has all the other consistencies in his life .

Maybe use a lot of cardboard -the inside acts as a bolt hole and the top adds surface area to the room! Two in one!

As long as the dogs aren’t in his room he should get used to the noise of the dogs !

[sarahthegemini]

Thank guys, the scent swapping is a great idea – I will get a sheet or something, give it to the dogs for a week or so and then put it in the bun’s main space I’m a bit unsure about doing the vice versa and giving the dogs something bunny scented in case it causes too much excitement? I’d hate for it to go the other way. Hmm. 

I’m definitely going to make lots of cardboard hideys for them, I’ll make sure sure they’re nice and sturdy to allow for jumping on  

Any more tips are welcome!

[Boston's Mama]

The bunny smelling item doesn’t need to be one they can play with – not like a chew toy or something to tug on ( so as not to encourage a play or chew/ chase association ) its more so when they smell the bunnies it’s not a new smell they want to investigate. It could be a blanket that you place over back of the couch ( would obviously only work if they dogs aren’t allowed on the couch so they won’t grab it ) or on a soft toy that you leave on the bench
If they are well trained that would work but if they are going to try to get that also then maybe rub the bunny smelling blanket on the tv so the smell is on something they don’t touch in their area – will help avoid them wanting to get to the “new” smell when bunnies arrive as it won’t be new

[Boston's Mama]

Also you can put some tv shows on that has barking in it – obviously not loud but enough they don’t get startled at every bark they make. I’Ve done that for Boston often so the vet sounds aren’t scary if there is a big dog barking or when he has to board at vets.
Pit bulls and paroles or animal precinct etc all have a lot of barking so they are good: start with it faint then turn it to where you would usually have it for your usual listening – that would be loud enough as you’ll have door shut or at least baby gates keeping the dogs a few meters away so sound won’t be tooo loud

[sarahthegemini]

Okay I will put one of the bunny’s blankets over the couch at mum’s, that’s a brilliant idea as the dogs don’t go on the sofa but lay next to it so could smell it. And I was actually thinking of playing barking sounds for the buns, mum thought I was mad when I suggested it  I’m a big fan of Pitbulls and Paroles 

[Clem&M]

I have this current issue also but with small vermin hunting terrier dogs, they’ve already killed a lot of wild life in the backyard and get too excited at the sight of my bunnies so I never let them in or let my buns out. I heard with German Shepherds it’s easier, the dogs would need to accept their scent as being part of the family and it will require some dog training I think. The dogs because of their size would need to know what behavior is acceptable around the buns, so whenever they get too excited or bark that would need to be corrected.

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Clem&M on 9/12/2017 9:21 AM
I have this current issue also but with small vermin hunting terrier dogs, they’ve already killed a lot of wild life in the backyard and get too excited at the sight of my bunnies so I never let them in or let my buns out. I heard with German Shepherds it’s easier, the dogs would need to accept their scent as being part of the family and it will require some dog training I think. The dogs because of their size would need to know what behavior is acceptable around the buns, so whenever they get too excited or bark that would need to be corrected.

Well I don’t plan to ever introduce them, I’m just hoping they can get used to each other’s scent from afar so to speak so the bunnies aren’t afraid. I’m hoping they’ll learn they’re not in danger. And of course anything that curbs the dog’s interest in them would be great!

[joea64]

Posted By Clem&M on 9/12/2017 9:21 AM

I have this current issue also but with small vermin hunting terrier dogs, they’ve already killed a lot of wild life in the backyard and get too excited at the sight of my bunnies so I never let them in or let my buns out. I heard with German Shepherds it’s easier, the dogs would need to accept their scent as being part of the family and it will require some dog training I think. The dogs because of their size would need to know what behavior is acceptable around the buns, so whenever they get too excited or bark that would need to be corrected.

I’ve read that dogs bred/trained for herding work such as German shepherds and collies tend to get along well with rabbits; as you’ve noted, hunting dogs are more problematic.

[Author]

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