Introducing new puppy to rabbit

Hello
I have just got a Male 9 1/2 week staffy x shih tzu called Saxon, I have a house rabbit already, could anyone please give me any tips on how best to introduce them , I have seen photos on fb page where staffs are with rabbits, so I am hoping they will become friends, when he first came yesterday he has scared of her, kept backing away from cage, he is now starting to adventure closer to her, I am just afraid she will lash out & hurt him.
Thanks in advance for advice, Kelly


Moved post to Puppy chat, you may get more help there, hopefully.

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Hi & welcome.

I've no experience of introducing staffs to small furries, but I'd start off with letting the pup sniff the rabbit through the cage bars, then maybe get a baby gate & keep them either side for a while. I'm sure somebody who's already done it will be on soon, though.

Hi and welcome from us and Suki. I have never done this one either

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

My Dad has a rabbit but I dont think I would let Rocky get anywhere near it when I visit him, he does have a habit of chasing rabbits when on walks (Rocky that is not my Dad)

Hi Kelly , please find time to pop here and introduce yourself properly we don't bite
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f7-new-member-introductions

You can let the dog sniff it and let it be in the same room when the rabbit is in its cage but i strongly advise never letting them out together. yes some rabbits hold their own and some dogs are okay with them but terriers love to kill things that are small and fluffy, its better to be cautious. That is my opinion

Equi wrote:You can let the dog sniff it and let it be in the same room when the rabbit is in its cage but i strongly advise never letting them out together. yes some rabbits hold their own and some dogs are okay with them but terriers love to kill things that are small and fluffy, its better to be cautious. That is my opinion

As Hayley says , please be cautious , our friends have a girl staffy and they go to work all day , their rabbit used to live in the conservatory with her until one day shimmer found a way into the rabbits cage thing and that was the end of that , its an instinct , they may get along fine but don't ever get relaxed about it

We have Rabbits, they are fairly lucky and live at the bottom of my garden behind a steel fence. My collie who was 8 when i got them accepted them as family and has never bothered them, he comes in with me to clean out hutches and do feeds etc... neither is bothered by the other.... My staff... different case entirely!! He came in with them from day 1 on a lead, we tried to introduce them purely in case they get into the main garden so he would at least respect the "leave" command... but curiosity is to much for him... they are small furry and bounce... I would not trust him an inch, but that's his nature... he now at least doesn't challenge the cage or fence, But i have no doubt if my back was turned he would kill them if the opportunity arose. All dogs are different... but instinct can take over, please just don't leave them together x