How can I teach my Yorkie to be gentle with a bunny?

[msafi]

First we got a cat for our Yorkie, and my wife had severe allergies from the cat, so we returned it. Then we got him a bunny, but he didn't know how to treat him. He kept biting and pulling the bunny from his ears and legs. Then we bought another dog, but the dogs kept fighting for dominance and some other complications that resulted in us taking the dog back. So now, it's back to the three of us only.

I feel very sorry when we leave our Yorkie at home alone, so I was wondering about what to do in order to keep him occupied when we are out of the house for a long time.

I want to buy another rabbit but I wish Kennaan didn't try to hurt him, so how can I train Kennaan not to hurt the small bunny?

[PuppyLovinNurse]

Get a female dog if yours is a male (at least one needs to be fixed, obviously) or vice versa; they will only play fight ("wrestle").

As for the bunny - I wouldn't even try it. We've had too many pet bunnies eaten by dogs when my sister & I were younger. Dogs eat bunnies, it's nature...

[Rhapsody]

I agree, it's possible, but Yorkies have a strong prey instinct especially small quick moving animals. A bunny just kicks all those instincts in gear.

Good luck! And normally once the pups are used to each other they can be the best of friends. They're pack animals, so they are made to live with other dogs.

[msafi]

The problem is that most of the puppies here come from puppy farms and are very poorly bred. We bought Kennaan from a very nice guy in Phoenix, AZ when we used to live there. Now we are in the UAE, and you won't believe how hard it is to get a healthy, well-treated puppy in here. Even if you're willing to pay $3000, you're not gonna find one. I don't have that kind of money for a dog, but even if I did, I would be better off spending it on importing from the U.S. from people I know.

For these reasons, I was looking at alternatives to having another dog. It's just not easy finding a puppy here.

[PuppyLovinNurse]

Sorry...I just wouldn't do the bunny thing. You may come home to bunny guts all over your floor one day. It happened to us (well, the lawn) about 3 times. Ugh! No matter what we did, those dogs always got to the poor bunnies.

Maybe you could try getting another breed of cat? Not all of them will aggrivate allergies.

Believe it or not, I'm very allergic to cats/dogs & we have 4 dogs and a cat (none of them get my allergies going).

[daisy mae06]

Ya know People think Yorkies can't be around rodents but My daughter has two Rats . When we first got them yes they wanted to get them but now they act like they arn't even there. Growing up I had a springer spaniel and a rabbit They played so well together. her and the rabbit would play chase and the rabbit would jump all over her. They were great together.
I'm not saying it would work but if you train them right and don't leave them alone together. you may be able to.

[Anna Banana]

The thing is, they need to leave them alone together. They want to get a companion for when they leave him at home.

[daisy mae06]

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

The thing is, they need to leave them alone together. They want to get a companion for when they leave him at home.

Well maybe after time but you can't just throw them together and think they will get along.

[Anna Banana]

Originally Posted by daisy mae06

Well maybe after time but you can't just throw them together and think they will get along.

Haha, very true.

But I think, even after time, the bunnycould trigger a reaction innate in all terriers. I would never trust my yorkie with a bunny, or any other prey animal, alone...Just like no one would leave a big dog alone with a yorkie. Accidents can still happen. Thus, a dog is the most preferable companion for a dog. But if a dog is too hard to get, a cat would be better than a rodent.

[daisy mae06]

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Haha, very true.

But I think, even after time, the bunnycould trigger a reaction innate in all terriers. I would never trust my yorkie with a bunny, or any other prey animal, alone...Just like no one would leave a big dog alone with a yorkie. Accidents can still happen. Thus, a dog is the most preferable companion for a dog. But if a dog is too hard to get, a cat would be better than a rodent.

Very True
I will Say though I do leave my BIG dog alone with my two all the time
she thinks she is a LITTLE Yorkie. and she is 93 pounds

[Anna Banana]

Originally Posted by daisy mae06

Very True
I will Say though I do leave my BIG dog alone with my two all the time
she thinks she is a LITTLE Yorkie. and she is 93 pounds

How cute! I guess it just depends on the dog. All three of my big dogs are sweethearts, and love animals of all kinds. But one of them gets so hyper, that I'm afraid he'll run my baby over!

[browniesmom622]

a bunny is not a companion for a dog

[rrosenberry]

All I will say is.. I've been dealing with bunnies for weeks now... Not a pretty site... Bailey could Never have a bunny friend .. I know this for a fact. I won't go into detail.

[jacky]

Get a kong, put some peanut butter in it. The perfect doggy companion lol

[sondra2004]

Get another small dog .It doesnt have to be a yorkie.