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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 Handling Rabbits

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    • Theresa Moan
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        I was wondering how often every bunny mom picks up and carries their rabbits.

        We have been trying to do it more since they (esp Bungelina) have been gettting away from us for so long.  I figure that eventually we will HAVE to be able to control them (going to the vet, etc) so we should get them used to it, right?

        How often do you pick up your bun?  Do they furiously resist like Bungee?


      • wendyzski
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          I’m still working on that myself – Pepper HATES to be picked up, and I’ve still not managed it.

          There was another thread on here that I started about picking up bins, and there were some great links posted to pages of ideas for getting them used to the touches that will eventually pick them up.  Check back thru the archives – there was some great info there


        • Gravehearted
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            Posted By wendyzski on 10/22/2006 6:20 PM
            I’m still working on that myself – Pepper HATES to be picked up, and I’ve still not managed it.

            There was another thread on here that I started about picking up bins, and there were some great links posted to pages of ideas for getting them used to the touches that will eventually pick them up.  Check back thru the archives – there was some great info there

            Was it this topic?  https://www.binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/forumid/1/postid/1403/view/topic/Default.aspx

            My kids tend to prefer to face me – rather than facing out when I told them.  I’ll pick Viktor & Hareiette up several times a week – but Pandora is much more afraid and will hide!


          • ea hurse
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              Good thread! Bungelina might feel less worried if you hold her back feet in rather than just her bum, it might make her feel less ‘dangling’. i have had soooo many problems with Lollo, at first i couldn’t catch him never mind pick him up. since he was neutered i can pick him up but he has to be cradled across my arm so he can stick his head in my armpit to hide. i guess they can feel too exposed. Same with Chino, though she is far happier to be handled- and smaller/less muscley(sp?!) and i can sometimes hold her like in your picture but with her back legs held in to her body (i usually only do this to inspect her personals to make sure theyre ok!). Blue wont be held across the body, i have to hold her like in the picture but again back legs held.

              i guess its mostly finding what works. i wondered the same thing about repetition though, as Blue isn’t keen at all. Will it get better as she gets used to it? That was certainly the case for Lollo and Chino, repetition has i guess gotten them used to a certain extent. However my friends bunny (Fudge, the cutest thing you ever saw) likes to be held chest-to-chest so he can lick her chin. funny! maybe it’s a trust or dominance thing??


            • BinkyBunny
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                Repitition has helped with two of my bunnies.  But Jack remains a freak job every single time and then he gets afraid of me, so with him, I just let him be until I have to do it.   But I have to clip his nails every month, so he weathers through it the best way he knows how – with his eyes popping out of his head. 


              • Theresa Moan
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                  Its so scary! When I hold Mabel (her facing in towards me in a hug) I hear her start to breathe really hard and loud. Its like, c’mon girl, you know me!


                • wendyzski
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                    I managed to get Pepper held once – she just sort of froze and stared at me for a few seconds before exploding into a flailing mass of limbs and a cloud of fur and teleporting out of my arms.  I just keep trying with treats and pets and practice.

                    We’re going to the vet tomorrow (she’s sneezing bunny-boogers) and I know it’s going to be a huge hassle.  Good thing half the clinic staff have buns of their own!


                  • Cuddles_Momma
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                      Cuddles doesnt seem to mind being held so much, but she sure lets me know once she is down with a big thump that she isnt thrilled with the idea!


                    • Faye Perry
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                        both my bunnies HATE being picked up.  We keep trying but it doesn’t seem to get any easier!  Booboo just goes all floppy and will tolerate it for about 20 seconds then starts to panic and just leaps in any direction.. Mable is a completely different story…IF you can catch her, she’ll fight you from ground level (no matter how calm and gentle we try to be) she goes rock solid and IF you manage to get her up, she goes MENTAL!!  "Scratches" is an understatment i’ve had gouges across my chest!! (imagine explaining that to work colleagues – i’m sure they think i’m into S&M)

                        When we try to give Mable a treat/pet after we fail cause she just runs away thinking we’re gonna try again!  We also tried getting them used to a harness…..that didn’t go well either! 

                        do i have THE most stubborn bunnies ever???


                      • wendyzski
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                          File this under the ‘What NOT to do" Heading

                          Be sure to put your clothes on BEFORE attempting to burrito a terrified bunny.
                          *looks at red furrows on tummy*
                          Sigh.


                        • Ester Yeh
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                            ohh…I’ve done that before…ouchie..and wear jeans too

                            its only my two lionheads who aren’t that comfy with getting picked up but one of them is starting not to mind.

                            my oldest one doesnt care about getting picked up.


                          • BinkyBunny
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                              Theresa – Wow!!! .  I can’t even focus on your bunnies when I have a naked Homer Simpson weight lifting his drink and the remote in view.   And with the huge words "Hottie".   Now that is a shirt that stops traffic.

                              And some of those looks from the bunnies – right at Homer’s face, I don’t know if Homer is helping or hindering….LOL!.


                            • Theresa Moan
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                                Posted By BinkyBunny on 11/04/2006 7:09 PM
                                Theresa – Wow!!! .  I can’t even focus on your bunnies when I have a naked Homer Simpson weight lifting his drink and the remote in view.   And with the huge words "Hottie".   Now that is a shirt that stops traffic.

                                And some of those looks from the bunnies – right at Homer’s face, I don’t know if Homer is helping or hindering….LOL!.

                                lol Binkybunny…Now that  you mention it, it kinda looks like Bunga is kissing Homer in one of the pix…

                                Yes we are Simpson freaks, I got him that shirt for his b-day a year ago.  It is one of many.

                                Hugo is getting much better about the repetition; he lets us pick him up and hold him for a few minutes, but will try to jump as soon as you walk near something he thinks he can land on.

                                He will not hold a grudge after that; whereas Bungee will THOMP and go run off in disdain.


                              • qzobevmama
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                                  golly gee, i guess i’ve been lucky w/my bunz.

                                  i have 4 of my own and i hold & cuddle each of them several times a day.  i have one who is special needs and is also especially lovie, so he gets lots of holding time.  i often pick up someone and have them sit in my lap while i am checking email etc.  every time i go by their pen i give pets to every one.

                                  i think repetition is the key.  also, treats while holding or just after holding might help, altho i never had to do that w/my guys.  i just pick them up and cuddle them, they often like football hold better, feel more secure i think.  tuck the butt under your elbow and your arm supports the body, hand & fingers around the chest & arms.  i talk softly to them, make shush-y sounds.  i also hold them very firmly & securely, but gently.  and continually petting the head front to back, continually.  i think that is one of the secrets.

                                  mostly, i pretty much feel that i am the boss and i snuggle, hold, pick up whomever i want and they just have to go along!  all my bunz love it anyway.  but i think the human’s confidence gives them security.

                                  with my fosters, especially babies, i also cuddle them a lot.  whether they like it or not!  ha ha, but they always like it.  since i am very active in rabbit rescue, i will get rabbits in who are stressed and frightened.  usually the first night i give them their food & soft bed, let them settle in.  after that, it’s lovie time.  i *always* talk to them, approach them from the side so they can see my hand and pet their heads first to let them know they are safe.  then they get held.  maybe just a few minutes at first, gradually increasing the time.  i’ve never had a bun who didn’t end up loving to cuddle.  except for one, but she only has one eye and i think that picking her up makes her dizzy so she mostly gets loved while her feet are on the ground.  but lately she’s been okay with my picking her up for very short periods of time, i just don’t insist on it like i do with everyone else since i do think she has a physical reaction to it.

                                  they don’t like their legs dangling, until they have learned to trust.  picking up bunz i don’t know, i hold them under the chest and under the butt, bring them quickly to my chest and keep them held firmly w/my arm.  and pet the head, pet the head, pet the head.  i’ve never had a problem with any bun, altho i have gotten a few scratches here & there.

                                  that being said, there are a few bunz who simply will not tolerate having their feet off the ground.  so be it.  just have to get down next to them and give them their lovies that way, eh?!  the most important thing is to make sure the bunz know they are very much loved and are safe forever.  😎


                                • Deleted User
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                                    I’ve had my rabbit for 4 days now, he likes being stroked but when i try to hold him or anything he struggles and scratches me. Ive tried different things but hes not happy with it. I need to be able to pick him up to get him into his carrier to take him go get his injections in a few days so i dont know what to do 


                                  • LittlePuffyTail
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                                      Hi, Bethan

                                      Welcome to BB. This thread is from 2006. We ask that members not reply to old threads because it causes confusion. I’m going to lock this thread. Please feel free to make a new thread in the Q&A section on handling.

                                  Viewing 15 reply threads
                                  • The topic ‘Handling Rabbits’ is closed to new replies.

                                  Forum BEHAVIOR Handling Rabbits