I’ve made Chips hate me….

[chips]

 So I took chips out to the garden to have a run around in the sunshine, usually she really enjoys it but today she was a little scared. I took her to another part of the garden but she was still acting kind of afriad so I took her back inside. 

 

I needed to take her harness but she wouldn”t let me. Eventually I managed to get the lead part off, but I had to hold her against her will for a few seconds. (I REALLY had to though because I was worried she would strangle herself). BUT she STILL has the other part strapped to her. I can see her biting it trying to get it off but everytime I go near her she just stamps her feet and hides. 

 

HELP! 

How can I get her to relax enough so that I can take it off? 
And how can I get her over the fact her terrible mum was SO mean to her!?

 

 

[Jessica Rabbit]

She doesn’t hate you! She’s scared and doesn’t understand what’s going on. I would say that unless she is in immediate danger, ignore her for a while. Wait til she calms down and approaches you on her own (and she will) and then try again. Have some treats with you, and reward her for both coming to you and letting you take it off. Patience and treats are almost always the key. Good luck!

[Sarita]

I agree with Jessica. Hopefully she’s calm and you’ve taken care of getting the harness off.

I would recommend that you keep her inside in the future and not harness her at all – it can be very dangerous in both situations for Chips.

[chips]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I waited a while and she was less angry (i.e. stopped stamping her feet), then I got some banana and she came over. I managed to take the harness off and she stamped a little but has been sat on my shoulder trying to eat my pony tail for the last half hour so I think she is ok now!

I don’t know what freaked her out so much. She goes in the garden, in the same harness once or twice a week and usually loves it. Maybe a new smell or something freaked her out? I will leave it a few days and then take her out again see how she is.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I ditto not harnessing again. I used to think, oh- well *I* can handle it. Someone very close to here who does rabbit hopping ‘professionally’ had one of her rabbits break it’s back in a harness. If that can happen to someone who handles rabbits that often and uses harnesses regularly-it can happen to anyone.

She could have smelt or heard something you couldn’t so that’s why she could have been so freaked. Keep in mind, it’s when they are scared and bolt that they get hurt in harnesses so I would just maybe quit the outside visits. Bring grass or snow inside for her to enjoy

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

hahah smelled….smelled not smelt.. *back to bed for me*

[BinkyBunny]

If she normally loves visiting outside and you plan on continuing that, then maybe you could get a couple xpens to keep her confined to a certain area. Of course, under supervision. I am also saying this not knowing how safe your garden is (don’t know if it is fenced in or ??).

[Author]

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