Bonding with my Bun

[PheobesMommy]

I adopted a four month old Flemish Giant from the shelter about a month ago. She is from an overbreeding situation so I am guessing that she has not had a lot of human contact before me. She does not run away from me but when I go to pet her body she either hops away or hunkers down. She lets me gently pet her forehead when she is eating but other than that she seems uninterested. Most places online say that buns like to be pet, but so far no sign of that from her. Other wise she is a happy girl binkying like crazy in our play time and looking where she can find trouble. Maybe we just need time, but any tips and tricks are appreciated. 

[MintJulep]

I got my Julep from the spca and she was a horrible abuse and neglect case. It took a month of me just laying on the floor on my stomach talking softly before she would let me get more than one tiny pet. She had just never experienced positive human touch and it took her a while to get used to not only me but the whole idea of attention. Spend as much time as you can on the floor with her talking to her and when she comes over let her sniff you or bop you and if she is facing you then give her a little pet on the head and a treat. It may also turn out that she just doesn’t like being petted no matter how much time you give her. Good luck! Patience is key though!

[Nishi]

I got my first bunny from a random Craigslist rehoming post. The owner didn’t even ask questions or come herself (she sent her brothere in law I believe), and I soon leared Kyuubey was terrified of everyone not just his new surroundings. I went as far as getting a clicker just for the purpose of training him to associate petting with treats. This worked! It takes persistence but he’s become really sweet. He loves pets. He will also tolerate being held for the shortest amount of time, which is usually enough for putting him in and out of his carrier.

I don’t think you absolutely need a clicker, but I think it really speeds up the process. Kyuubey understood clicks meant food right away.

[Mi]

I adopted a 5 1/2 year old Netherland dwarf about two weeks ago. She is so much different than the bunny I had before her, I’m not sure what to think of it. She will approach me (while in her bunny condo) to get a treat, but she has no desire whatsoever to be pet. I have a good sized area for her to run around outside of her condo, but the most she’ll do is hop around the base of the condo, sniffing her and there, she’ll go through the tunnel that’s on the bottom floor of the condo, but that’s about it! The first time, she wouldn’t even do that much. Since then she’s gotten a little more interested but not much. The most I’ve seen her do outside of her condo is 3 laps around it, then she’s back in to eat. I leave the door open for hours, and I’ll leave a trail of pellets along the way (so I’ll know if she came out while I stepped away to go to the restroom or to get something to eat) but when I return, the pellets are still there. She loves her pellets so if she came out, I know she would eat them.

My guess is that it’s still too soon for her. She lived at the rescue for about 3 years (the woman who cared for her is very loving and kind so I know she was treated very well) so maybe she’s just used to being in a pen and that’s what feels normal for her, I don’t know. It’s just hard to know she could have so much more freedom but she limits herself by staying inside.

I’m sure over time she will feel more comfortable and will enjoy time out of her pen more, but I was wondering if this is something other bunny lovers experienced and if so, how did you get your bunny to want to venture out more?

[PheobesMommy]

Thanks everyone for your comments!

I created a little pen around my buns cage and then opened the door and laid on the floor. This gave her the chance to venture in and out as she felt comfortable. My girl is most active early morning and late at night. Sometimes if I open the cage in the middle of the day all that she wants is to sleep so she won’t come out. She is now hopping to the door when she sees me, so if you give your bun time she should figure it out. I hope this helps! 

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