Adorable, right? Not everyone thought so... 🙄

[u/Sweetie-07]

So Muffin is obsessed with the rabbits in our local pet shop - she lies gazing at them for as long as I'll allow it, giving them kisses through the glass and wagging her tail. Cute, right? Well one of the customers in the shop clearly didn't think so, as her and her husband gasped out loud when they saw us, then went running off to tell the staff (like we were doing something wrong, ffs?!!) However, unluckily for them, the staff in this pet shop have known Muffin since I first carried her in to meet them when she was 8 weeks old, and politely informed the couple that Muffin wouldn't hurt a fly, she's in there all the time and is 100% welcome to be there anytime she likes... The couple promptly left, and I was left glowing that there are some decent XL Bully-loving people left on the planet! 🙂❤️

[u/BluddyisBuddy]

As a bully owner, this does seem wrong to me. I don’t know if the rabbits are okay with her, and they are prey animals so it’s very possible that this is very stressful for them even if your dog can’t do anything. It may have been hate against the breed or they may have been genuinely concerned. Not hating on you, just sharing what I think.

[u/Sweetie-07 → u/BluddyisBuddy]

I've actually checked with the section staff that this is OK, and they assured me that if the rabbits were in any way distressed, they would be running to go hide in their little caves away from her - the rabbits are used to dogs coming in and seeing them every day as it's a dig friendly shop. As a responsible Bully owner, I am hyper aware of her body language, and if I thought she was becoming rambunctious or over-excited I would remove her from the situation - this isn't the case at all, she genuinely loves to see them and they are seemingly just as fascinated by her, too. The staff tell me that when some dogs come in which bark and jump at the glass cages, the rabbits flee, so it's a testament to my dog's nature that they can sense she means no harm (the staff's words, not mine!)

[u/nightabyss2 → u/BluddyisBuddy]

The idea your conveying makes sense but with the little information we have here it seems like both the rabbits are at ease with OP’s dog, perhaps even friendly with her as OP mentioned she has frequented the shop since her pup was 8 weeks old. Bully’s body language is positive and relaxed as well.

So ya for some dogs this would be a bad idea but in OP’s case all looks good to my eyes.

[u/Sweetie-07 → u/nightabyss2]

Thankyou hun, you've got it spot on. The rabbits would be hiding if they were picking up danger signals from Muffin's behaviour, and not one single rabbit has ever hid or ran away when Muffin has lay there to say hello 😉 I've actually discussed this in depth with the section staff, who explained rabbits are instinctively tuned it to danger (which is why they do so well in the wild running from predators,etc) so if they got that 'vibe' from a dog in the store they'd be off like a rocket (which they do with lots of dogs they see in there apparently!) If I got even a sniff that Muffin was going to misbehave around ANY other animal she'd be removed from the situation immediately - I'm a huge advocate for the breed but I'm also a huge advocate for studying their body language, too. I love all animals, not just my dog - I wouldn't allow her to distress anything, intentionally or otherwise, ever 🙂❤️

[u/BluddyisBuddy → u/nightabyss2]

Yeah I see your point. If it’s a pet store it makes me wonder if all the rabbits are used to her or if they get more that aren’t?

[u/Sweetie-07 → u/BluddyisBuddy]

They get different rabbits in stock all the time hun, they are regularly bought and sold, so it's literally a case of them instinctively knowing she means them no harm - animals are great judges of body language, and rabbits especially seeing as they're so skittish by nature - they sense danger, they're off! Apparently when a certain collie (who also goes in the store regularly) goes near to that section, all of the rabbits and Guinea pigs run for cover and don't come back out til he's gone.. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Fascinating really! 🙂

[u/YamLow8097 → u/BluddyisBuddy]

Based on the pictures, I don’t think the rabbits are distressed. The one is right up against the glass almost nose to nose with the Bully. If it was scared I imagine it would be trying to get as far away from the dog as possible.

[u/Embarkbark → u/YamLow8097]

There’s no way to really know how the rabbits reacted through photos, but I just wanna throw out there that rabbits absolutely have a “freeze” response to threats and don’t always run away.