Introducing my staffy girl dog to my girls out of the cage...

[SisterMoonbeam]

Whether you trust her or not she is still a terrier and no amount of training will curb her natural instincts.

My dogs are allowed NOWHERE near my rabbits. They have their secure shed and aviary which is half boarded so they can't pester them. They are terriers and i would never, ever trust them with the rabbits so I am uber cautious, and make damn sure they are always kept seperate.

 

[lisabunnie]

i don't think its the terrier bit that you need to worry about.

The dog that attacked my buns was not a terrier the dog that tried to save them / me was.

If its in the dog its in the dog there is nothing that you can do. I had a collie and and house bunnie together unsupervised for years with no problems. I am sure that my staffie would never harm my buns.............. you dont know whether its in the make up of your dog until its too late.

Its not a risk i would ever take again.

 

[George&dillon]

I have 2 dogs, a rottie & a lab while the dogs show no interest in him and the rabbit now thinks he is a dog comes to greet you at the gate :lol: i would never leave or put them together there is always something between them whether its a safety gate or the run wire i don't beleive an animal can be trusted 100%, they can turn or change for the simpliest thing

 

[Amy104]

I totally get the whole predetor/prey thing but it does make me wonder if people automaticaly assume staffies are mean?? thats what REALLY gets on my wick!!

I don't think you will find that true of a lot of members on this forum. After all we are all animal lovers by heart and it would go against that if we were to generalise in such a manner. I think staffies are lovely dogs.

 

[George&dillon]

that certainly isn't true from me considering i've got a rottie and they've had alot of bad publicity its all dogs in general

 

[lauraocal]

When I moved into my Aunts house, she had a dog.. It was a very gentle thing and they used to be in the same room happily together.
My bunny ruled the roost however and used to nip the dog if she came in the room and the dog would just leave.
I think if you can totally trust the dog it would be ok but just the fact your unsure enough to post on here tells me your not 100% sure it will go well.
My aunts dog was 16 years old and had been a complete softie all her life, so i had no fear at all and felt it was 100% safe.
Personally I wouldn't do it. If one of your buns got territorial and nipped the dog how would she react?

George&dillan.. your rabbit is a darling

 

[SisterMoonbeam]

I don't think you will find that true of a lot of members on this forum. After all we are all animal lovers by heart and it would go against that if we were to generalise in such a manner. I think staffies are lovely dogs.

I agree, it doesn't mean I think staffys are mean by thinking they will attack your buns, just that is is in their nature to do so being terriers and bred to hunt originally.

I love staffys! and my dogs would never dream of hurting a person, but i reckon they could harm my rabbits if they got the chance (which they never will)

 

[VickiP]

:wave: All the advice being given is to help you make a choice-it is your choice though. I would just add one more thing - in terms of socialising animals whatever they are it generally involves a lot of patience and time and above all should be safe, it is not a 'fair' position for your bunnies to be in and there is very little benefit to the dog or the bunny. It is far better to let each of them enjoy their time with you separately - while you have your buns out give your dog a treat and a make sure she has been out to the loo etc Vice Versa when you put the buns back in their enclosure, reward them - each of them will get used to that and be more relaxed with the control and security rather than a chaotic potentially dangerous scenario. It can be done and I have seen it but, for me not worth the risk. Maybe if it were a puppy and the buns and pup grew up together but, not at her age honestly she is built for comfort now not loony buns jumping on her:lol::lol:

 

[clairekaitlin]

RIGHT.......I have decided to take everything on board and decide to keep them to there own "special time" most of the day cleo sleeps anyway so isn't at all bothered if the kitchen door is shut and she can hear the rabbits in the front room.
I never realised that her watching them over interested was a danger sign and when I sat at the side of her properly and watched her behaviour she was quite highly sprung and as snuggles is getting very very cheeky (jumping and binking very very high lol) I have decided it would be unfair to expect Cleo to just take them climbing all over her.
In the summer we will let the rabbits have an outdoor hutch and run and Cleo will obviously be out there but it will be very secure.
That way they all have there own space
Thanks for the advice x