Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR How to stop nipping!

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • Jroyalimages
      Participant
      14 posts Send Private Message

        So chuey has become like my shadow. I’ve started letting him stay out 24/7 (I trust his potty training more than my dog!) and he couldn’t be happier. He follows me everywhere, almost tripping me up. He tries to beat me to the kitchen to get treats. Whatever room I’m in, he is there too. He recently found out that he can jump on the couch. Now I find him flipped over on the couch all day.
        The only problem I have is that Chuey nips so much! I know he’s not being mean but they hurt lol. He likes to be right next to me but I find myself always lifting up my legs and moving my feet whenever he comes around because he will bite them. I don’t even like to let him smell me. When in wearing jeans in totally fine with it. He used to lick and then bite but now he just goes straight to the teeth. How can I let him know that he’s hurting me lol? I love the attention he gives but I’m not a fan of the biting


      • Sarita
        Participant
        18851 posts Send Private Message

          I would try to misdirect him – I think that’s about all you can do until he outgrowns this behavior. Some people suggest making a shrill sound to discourage them and that works for some people, so you could try that too.


        • LBJ10
          Moderator
          16870 posts Send Private Message

            Squealing or saying “ow” in a high pitched voiced always worked with Wooly. He knew what it meant and he learned to adjust the pressure he uses. Now when he “nips”, he is just putting his teeth on you. He doesn’t bite down. Things were different with Leopold because he is deaf. So we used redirection, like Sarita suggested. It takes longer, but you basically discourage them by removing them from the situation and then turning your back to them (give them the bunny butt). So if Leopold jumped on my lap and then nipped, for example, he would immediately be returned to the floor so he was no longer where he wanted to be (in my lap).


          • Little Lion Head
            Participant
            1706 posts Send Private Message

              Rocky learned really quick that a high pitched loud “ouch!” meant that was enough!


            • Kokaneeandkahlua
              Participant
              12067 posts Send Private Message

                I would just try redirecting him -clap or shout or whatever to interrupt, then give him something to chew and love on instead(redirect). Maybe a stuffed bunny (those might be available everywhere since it’s Easter ) or really anything else to lick or chew. Phone books etc.

                Does he honk while he bites? I take it he’s not old enough to be neutered yet?


              • Tana
                Participant
                32 posts Send Private Message

                  I agree – my Dandelion likes to nip when she’s impatient, food aggressive, or just so affectionate she can’t even handle it.
                  She was REALLY bad about it – and even full on bit me once when I didn’t give her food fast enough. 😐

                  I’ve tried three things that have almost completely eliminated the behavior. She’s learned to bump and kiss instead to express herself.
                  1. When she nips me because she’s impatient for food (she gets pellets at dinner-time which is great for putting her to bed but isn’t critical to her diet) she gets a very loud firm “NO!” and then gets no pellets. Rabbits are smart – I was surprised but the next morning she was very apologetic and it took a month or so for her to “forget” and do it again. A big improvement from nightly boxing/nipping.
                  2. When she nips me because she’s overly-affectionate she gets a loud firm “NO!” and I get up and leave.
                  3. Sometimes when she gets hyper I think she’s going to get “bitey” so I have this thing I dangle in front of her (a NYE decoration) that she lunges at then binks over and it gets out all that extra energy and she doesn’t do it anymore.

                  She just can’t contain her little bunny emotions (and I suspect some dominance!)

              Viewing 5 reply threads
              • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

              Forum BEHAVIOR How to stop nipping!