Are you thinking of getting a dachshund but already have a rabbit? Or maybe you have a dachshund but want to get a rabbit and aren’t sure what to expect? Here’s everything you need to know about dachshunds and rabbits.
Can Dachshunds Live With Rabbits? In general, dachshunds aren’t suited to living with rabbits. It is possible to make it work, but it’s extremely risky! Dachshunds are natural born hunters with a strong prey drive, and small animals like rabbits may sadly be seen as prey.
Read on to find out whether you can train dachshunds to live with rabbits, how to minimise any problems, and whether rabbits and dachshunds can ever live under one roof.
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This article is based on research and personal experience as a Dachshund owner of 10+ years. I’m not a Vet, qualified dog trainer or dog behaviourist.
Why Can’t Dachshunds Live With Rabbits?
Dachshunds are natural born hunting dogs. Standard dachshunds were bred to flush badgers out of their setts, and miniature dachshunds were bred to hunt rabbits. Dachshunds are also quick on their feet and, if their natural prey drive takes over, it could be lethal for the rabbit. Basically, rabbits and dachshunds aren’t natural companions!
Can You Train Dachshunds And Rabbits To Get Along?
Yes, in theory, it is possible to train a dachshund and rabbit to get along. Loulou & Friends is a YouTube channel about a dachshund who’s friends with a rabbit, so proves that very point. The problem is, this won’t be the case for most dachshunds. It’s hard for them to override their natural hunting instinct, so it’s a huge risk to take.
How Do You Introduce A Dachshund To A Rabbit?
Introducing a dachshund to a rabbit has many challenges and risks. Your dachshund would need to be very obedient and well-trained before even attempting such an introduction. He’d need to be at an age where he understands you’re the alpha and he has to listen to your commands. Puppies may struggle with this, and their playful, mouthing behaviour could easily harm or potentially kill a rabbit.
This is how to introduce a dachshund to a rabbit:
Speak to your vet
Before introducing a dachshund to a rabbit, it’s best to speak to your vet or a professional dog trainer for advice. In most cases, dachshunds struggle to live with rabbits, so it may not end well. You have to think about your rabbit too. You don’t want her to be scared or living in fear all the time. Think carefully before proceeding.
Swap smells
Give your dachshund something that smells of your rabbit a few days or weeks before they meet. This’ll help him get used to your rabbit’s scent before the introduction.
Exercise your dachshund
Exercise your dachshund so he’s tired when he meets your rabbit for the first time. That way he should be more relaxed and more likely to listen to your commands.
Put your rabbit in her cage
Put your rabbit in her cage so she’s safe at all times. This puts a barrier between your dachshund and rabbit, and gives you full control over the situation.
Keep your dachshund on a leash
Keep your dachshund on a leash at all times. This is SO important because, if things go wrong, he could potentially kill your rabbit in a matter of seconds.
Let your dachshund sniff the cage
Bring your dachshund in to the room and allow him to sniff around the cage and see the rabbit. If your dachshund is good or wags his tail, praise him and give him a treat. If your dachshund lunges at the cage or is aggressive, say ‘Ah-Ah’ or ‘No!’ in a firm voice and walk back towards the door.
Repeat
Keep repeating the first stage over and over until your dachshund is calm and relaxed around the cage. This could take hours, days, weeks or months – or may never happen at all! Bear in mind, dachshunds have a strong prey drive that’s very difficult to overcome.
Use commands
While still on a leash, ask your dachshund to ‘Sit!’ and then ‘Lay Down!’ when he’s beside the cage so you know he’s still listening to your commands. You need to know you’re in full control of his behaviour when he’s around the rabbit.
Hold your rabbit
When you’re 100% sure your dachshund is calm and relaxed around the cage, get the rabbit out and ask someone else to stand and hold her. Remember to keep your dachshund on a leash at all times. If your dachshund is good and wags his tail, praise him and give him a treat. If your dachshund jumps to get to the rabbit or shows any signs of aggression, say ‘Ah-Ah!’ or ‘No!’ in a firm voice and walk him back towards the door.
Repeat
Keep repeating the previous stage over and over until you’re absolutely 100% sure your dachshund is calm and relaxed around the rabbit. Bear in mind, dachshunds have a strong prey drive so this may never happen.
Sit down with the rabbit
If your dachshund responds well to being in the same room as the rabbit, ask your friend to sit down on a chair with the rabbit in her arms. Let your dachshund sniff the rabbit, but go very, very slowly. Remember to keep your dachshund on a leash at all times. You have to be very mindful of your friend’s safety too. If your dachshund is good and wags his tail, praise him and give him a treat. If your dachshund jumps to get to the rabbit or shows any signs of aggression, say ‘Ah-Ah!’ or ‘No!’ in a firm voice and walk him back towards the door.
Repeat
Keep repeating the previous stage over and over until you’re absolutely 100% sure your dachshund is calm and relaxed around the rabbit. Bear in mind, dachshunds have a strong prey drive so this may never happen.
Crouch down with the rabbit
If your dachshund responds well to being in the same room as the rabbit, ask your friend to crouch down near the floor with the rabbit in her arms. Let your dachshund sniff the rabbit, but go very, very slowly. Remember to keep your dachshund on a leash at all times. You have to be very mindful of your friend’s safety too. If your dachshund is good and wags his tail, praise him and give him a treat. If your dachshund jumps to get to the rabbit or shows any signs of aggression, say ‘Ah-Ah!’ or ‘No!’ in a firm voice and walk him back towards the door.
Repeat
Keep repeating the previous stage over and over until you’re absolutely 100% sure your dachshund is calm and relaxed around the rabbit. Bear in mind, dachshunds have a strong prey drive so this may never happen.
Put the rabbit on the floor
If your dachshund responds well to the rabbit and shows no signs of aggression, work very, very slowly towards putting the rabbit on the floor. Keep your dachshund on the leash at all times and don’t take any chances. If your dachshund is good and wags his tail, praise him and give him a treat. If your dachshund jumps to get to the rabbit or shows any signs of aggression, say ‘Ah-Ah!’ or ‘No!’ in a firm voice and walk him back towards the door.
Repeat
Keep repeating the previous stage over and over until you’re absolutely 100% sure your dachshund is calm and relaxed around the rabbit. Stay at this stage for some time to be really sure there’s no aggression or chase impulse there. Bear in mind, dachshunds have a strong prey drive so this may never happen. You may think your dachshund seems OK with the rabbit but, as soon as the rabbit moves or jumps, he could try to attack.
Remove the leash
Over time and after intensive training, you MAY get to a point where your dachshund and rabbit are safe to be in the same room together. It may be better to put your rabbit in a safe rabbit pen or run for a few months so they get more used to each other moving around. That way they’re free in the room, but separated by either the cage or pen at all times. Removing your dachshund’s leash is very risky so, before you do this, you must be 100% sure it’s safe for your rabbit. Please remember, not many dachshunds get to this stage. Dachshunds have a strong prey drive and can kill a rabbit in a matter of seconds.
Go slowly and cautiously
If your dachshund shows any signs of aggression during training, take him out of the room and put the rabbit back in her cage. You don’t want to distress or scare your rabbit and the training MUST be safe for all people and pets involved.
Never leave a dachshund alone with a rabbit
Never leave your dachshund and rabbit alone together, even when you think it’s safe. It goes against a dachshund’s natural hunting instinct to live with rabbits in the same home, so you must supervise at ALL times.
So, there you have it! It’s challenging for dachshunds to live with rabbits as it goes against their natural hunting instincts. It’s possible to train them to get along, but that does come with huge risks. However hard you try, it might never work out, and you may just have to accept that!
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