Eek! Really? Guss is a black lop isn’t he? I think Sarita may be able to help. From memory she has a Biter. So it is just cage aggressiveness?
My only, lame suggestion is to assert dominance -push head down, if you can get that close. Other than that, I can only make excuses for him. Hormones still working there way out the system?………shedding?………..even one of the others hormones setting him off? (A total stretch – I don’t even know if that’s possible!)

K&K, my rabbit Pepe is like this. For the past 3 or so months I have had him free-range now. He can be extremely loving but he still bites and it’s not an attention thing always. I’ve done the scream (because he draws blood sometimes and bruises) and the squeal. I don’t know much about Pepe’s life before me other than he was a stray (so who knows anything). He has had some recent severe bouts of stasis too and now has dental disease and molar spur problems so I don’t know if that’s part of his problem or not.

He still distrusts me and will bite even though he has practically the whole house. He’s very exuberant with his craisins and his food – he has always been weirdly excited about food almost to the point of aggression.

I decided to keep him because of his behavior and fear that he would keep coming back to me if I adopted him out (he certainly cannot be trusted with children).

I’ve wondered if part of his behavior is the dental problems but he’s been like this long before the dental problems.

Now Pepe isn’t all bad either – he will lie next to me in bed and groom me but then he’ll start nipping my cheek. He’ll sit next to me on the couch and be petted and then he’ll nip me. I’ve tried the shriek but sometimes it’s too late – the nip has happened and I’m in pain or sometimes I just have to scream when he draws blood.

I’ve not done the spray bottle thing and I won’t because for this type of behavior it doesn’t seem to make sense to me.

I know at the sanctuary where I help at sometimes they’ll put the biters with a companion – I don’t see though how this stops the biting but I guess it gives the rabbit a companion since they figure the biter will be there forever.

I’ve come to the conclusion (at least with Pepe) that this is how he’s wired and I’m not sure that his behavior will modify unless I give him some medication like they do with people who have certain mental conditions that can be controlled with medication.

that’s frustrating K&K. well, i guess the folks who dropped him off weren’t lying to you about him being aggressive. i’m just thankful you discovered this before he was adopted out to anyone.

Maybe, if this issue cannot be resolved, you could class him as “special needs” and hopefully he can go to a very experienced person who can understand and accept this behaviour.

Maybe if your hand tasted really bad…have you tried soaking it in vinegar? LOL sorry. But seriously maybe if you could find something that he hates the taste of (or feel)  he would leave you alone..    sorry that’s the only thing I can think up …. Maybe heavy duty gloves too.

Some suggestions from some other rabbit rescuers that I asked about aggressive rabbits are these:

1. Perhaps it’s the smell of the other rabbits, some rabbits are nervous in the presence of other rabbits – maybe try some vanilla or peanut butter on his nose (not sure about that one).
2 Clicker training was recommended.
3. Pushing the head down with the chin to the floor as you already know.
4. Don’t get distracted when dealing with him so that when he does this behavior you can correct him by putting his head to the ground and holding it for a about 10 to 15 seconds then slowly move away from the rabbit with no physical contact or verbal interactions for at least 10 minutes.
5. No handfeeding – put a barrier (like a piece of cardboard) between you and him and put the food down then slowly withdraw the barrier.
6. They do not recommend the screech or scream method as they startle the rabbit and they feel that rabbits like this tend to be more fragile emotionally and the screaming just upsets them not to mention the other rabbits in the place.

In any event, this rabbit will take a special person who is rabbit knowledgeable, compassionate, and patient – no children please :~)

If I get anymore responses I’ll post them.

Some more suggestions that I got:

1. It’s possible that he is extremely jealous or sensitive to the other rabbits so it was suggested to wash your hands thoroughly before “handling” him or his stuff.
2. Also it was suggested to ignore the bad behavior and shower him with extra attention and affection as well.

yes you can try washing your hands and changing your shirt after handling other buns .   could it be un neutered males smells setting him off.

Cotton does that in these circumstances. 

What is funny is I have been holding Ruby for quite a while now. As I am reading about your biter Ruby is diggin on my shirt and biting me.  lolol…  I just put her back in her play area and she flicked me off and stomped her foot as she hopped off.  Immediately going to chew on her willow tunnel. 

Cotton is extremely vicious when he smells an uneutered male on me oh my gosh he will deliberately jump from my lap to my face to bite my face.  And draws blood too.

I wonder if that is your biters issue.   I hope you can find something that works.   It can be tough. 

On the jealousy/sensitive/smell of other rabbits(esp.unneutered males), maybe you could test that by putting him somewhere away from the others and tending him first so you don’t have smell of other rabbits on you………?

Also, how long has he been doing this now? Can you identify any possible triggers around the time it started? I guess you may have to undertake a process of elimination. Identify all possible causes and test them out.
With the bonding thing, has he had any interaction with the other fixed rabbits, male or female?

You said he didn’t bite once you’d picked him up or set him down? But now he does? If it’s only when reaching into the cage, it could be possible vision issue.

Ok, this theory is a bit “out there” but I’m wondering, if he hasn’t had much interaction with the others, whether Nala came a-visiting when she escaped? Or her pregnancy/hormones has brought out some weird defensive/aggressive behaviour in him? Really out there I know, just some further thoughts….

Edit to add: I just took a quick look at some previous post you had on Guss to look at his history……caged a lot and not had nails trimmed.  Just wondering if any of these come into it.  Would it be possible to contact the woman who surrendered him to get some further history?  Her observations of when he got nippy?  Wouldn’t be a bad thing for her to know you acknowledge this behaviour but are at least willing to work on dealing with it!

Ok, sorry I’ve written bucket loads…. ^^ I’ll try keep this brief!
Other possible reasons:

1.  Last hormone influx post neuter
2.  Hidden pain
3.  Urinary infection
4.  Adrenal disorder……not sure, just read this also produces sex hormones…
    
5. Pain on scarring 
6. Diet change???
7. Needs more out time as was very active pre neuter
8. Has become cage aggressive if back to being caged for longer periods (as may have been required during recovery). May have reverted him to this behaviour due to his history
9. Associating being removed from cage with vet visit/operation – especially if he did or is experiencing any pain for this event. 

I have to admit that when there are agressive rabbits (not just cage protective) at SaveABunny, I immediately begin cuddling them. IF they bite me, I just cuddle them more. Not a masochist, just figure that they’re gonna get loved no matter what they want.

LOL Markus, I’m the same way – the aggressive rabbits have a special place in my heart.

Some just lunge at you and act aggressive but I think it’s more fear for the lungers than the actual biters. I think aggressive rabbits are very smart little bunnies who are just trying to express themselves – we just don’t get it.

Jerseygirl – I agree that you probably don’t want to rule out any medical problems as well.

Good suggestions partial blindness or medical reason.

Is there any way to let him come out of his cage on his own?   He could very well be very defensive of his cage.  Beings he was caged a lot at his previous home. He is scared and in a new place.  

I know you will figure it out.    It just takes some time and guesswork.   Hey could you have a treat in your hand so when he goes to bite perhaps you can try to block him with a piece of carrot or lettuce? 

Oops, I was editing ^ while you all added your posts! Sarita, my girls a lunger and it’s definately a communication tool for her. I don’t find her lunge and little growl that accompanies it all that threatening! ha ha! I just try leave her alone when she does it.

On that approach Markus, the give em love approach is actually suggested by HRS for those Hardcore Buns!

Got some more good feedback:

1.  Rescue Remedy – this obviously won’t cure the behavior but it might calm him down a bit to work with him.
Here’s a link where you can make a special one up for him:

feelbach.com/bach_flower_products.htm

fill out the questionairre.

2.  Seek help from a homeopathetic vet to find something to calm him down – obviously a short-term solution as well as this won’t change behavior either.

2.  Seek help from an animal communicator and give him some ultimatums – learn the good stuff from humans or go to the Rainbow Bridge (obviously the Rainbow Bridge is for extreme aggressive cases which this does not sound like it is).  Joanna said this suprisignly helped with the particular rabbit she wrote about.  Consistency and a rigid routine help too.  This rabbit she said eventually got adopted and was placed to a young lady who works with troubled horses – it seemed she could apply what she learned from horse behavior to this rabbit – thought this was VERY interesting and since you know horse people and are a horse person you might know someone like this who can help you…

Funny thign is as I was reading your post I was holding Ruby for quiet some time now.  She became impatient about 45 minutes later.  She started diggin on me and biting hard.

So I put her back in her bathroom to play and chew on the willow tunnel instead of me.  She was telling me ok now I been here in your arms for 45 minutes don’t you think that is long enuf

I bet he’s smart enough he’s figured out, “hey if I bite these annoying humans, they leave me alone!”, especially since you said she didn’t touch him again after he bit her. Markus might be on to something with smothering him with cuddles, maybe he’ll get the picture that the humans are NOT going away, but they’re not all that bad either. Maybe even his last owner was not all that rabbit-savvy or possible even hurt him when picking him up and now he’s terrified, who knows.

Most animal communicators use a photo. At least the one I used did since I didn’t have anyone locally and she was referred to me. I think that’s pretty standard since they don’t have animal communicators on every corner :~) Joanna swears that the animal communication helped out – she said that 2 days after the communication he turned around and it was clear he wanted to try with good humans.

The important thing when doing the ‘agressive cuddle’ technique is to wear a sweatshrit or something else that doesn’t hurt (as much) to be bit through. I still keep my hands uncovered but I’ve gotten real good at ‘guided petting’ where I keep the sharp bits of the mouth away from my fingers and if he begins to turn in my lap, I just gently but firmly press his head back into place so he can’t get at my flesh. The hardest thing people have with this though is not being afraid of the nip potential. When someone knows a rabbit is a biter, they’ll be nervous whenever handling them and that is instantly picked up by the bun.

Heck, I’ve watched Joanne at SaveABunny giving meds to a rabbit and purposefully wait until the rabbit bit her – because it was the routine of the rabbit. Get IV fluilds, get mouthful of nasty stuff, nip her, get pets.

It’s really does read like he doesn’t like anyone putting their hands in to get him. If he doesn’t feel he got the message across before when he nipped, he’s biting harder to make it known (???) So is that territorial, dominance of fear? It’s seems like old long term habits have arisen for some reason. Either reason, frequent handling and positive reinforcement would teach him a new way of relating.  Guess a communicator wouldn’t hurt at least to even see if it could be used for future cases. But bit pricey for a volunteer run rescue!

Er? Why would she charge by the half hour if only using a picture?  Is that 1/2 hr with the picture?  Seems strange…..

Gosh, it’s great that someone has stepped forward though! Plus she gets to volunteer like she wanted to. You never know, she may want to adopt him in future…. Just be sure you’re legally covered I guess, regarding volunteers etc. Keep us posted.

Oh and ((Swympaffy vibes)) for your wounds – Ouch!

I can only add that, after being neutered for over a year now, I still get charged and nipped by Mimzy from time to time simply because he just does not like me in his space…but nothing like you’re describing.
I agree that it could be scent of other bunnies. I know washing hands thoroughly is a chore, and it leaves your hands very uncomfortable, but after 5 months I STILL can’t get my hands in Fiver’s cage with other bunny scent on them in the least…he will charge and box and grunt and I don’t let him get far enough to introduce the teeth. I’d lose more than just fingers, I can tell you!

I’m so sorry to hear Guss-Guss has come to this. He is such a cute little bun, I sure hope you can get this issue resolved! (hugs for K&K and Guss)

Yep, I recognize those wounds – I have a few from Pepe.

I wonder if he has dental problems – like maybe his teeth hurt – maybe have your vet do a dental workup to see. Pepe gets more aggressive when he starts getting molar spurs. I would suggest you have the vet check that out along with an exam.

It’s great that she wants to work with him – I think he needs alot of freedom – having Pepe free roam has made him very happy. I still have to watch how I approach him though.

OOOOOOh. OUUUCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!1

i hate bunny bites. that looks naaaaaaaaasty.

i will keep your volunteer in my thoughts, seriously. i hope she can make some kind of progress with him. it’s not likely as he is now that he’ll be able to be adopted out.

Ouchie! Man, that reminds me exactly of Maki, the rabbit at my bf’s house. He is unneutered, has full run of the downstairs, and hates me something fierce. So, whenever my bf’s been around me, Maki gets really aggressive towards him too (also when I haven’t been around, but I’m assuming it’s a stronger aggression when I am around). Bf was petting Maki one day and he latched onto the palm of his hand and bf lifted him straight off the ground and Maki just didn’t let go for what seemed the the longest time. He’s left me with a few good bites too. And I’m told to just not be afraid cause he can sense that, but when he just bit me, I find it’s hard to not be hecka scared. Along with the scent of my rabbits on me, and him not being neutered, I think he also gets worked up when there are a lot of people in one room. Or when someone’s walking too fast by him…or away from him. I hate being chased by rabbits…unless they aren’t going to maul me.

The thing is, I wish his owner would spend money on him, to at least get him neutered. She just left him at their house because she’s allergic to him and I’m pretty sure she doesn’t even pay for his food now. And I’m sorry to be ranting, but it isn’t like she doesn’t have the money–you know? She isn’t hard off economically. If you’re going to just leave your rabbit with other people to care for it, you should at least help them provide for it. GRRR!
It’s not the same as giving someone a rabbit, they didn’t ask for the rabbit, or say, “Boy, I wish we had a rabbit!” ….just grrr.

did you ever give anymore thought to bonding him to another bun? has he been allowed any interaction with other buns? (sorry if you mentioned already, i don’t recall and i did not reread the whole thread.)

Addy, i would have a discussion with this person. either she is not being upfront, or… ??? does she plan on taking the bun back, if not… is she planning on rehoming him? at least if you know the BF’s will be his new, permanent home, you can make arrangements to neuter him yourselves.

This is probably taking a step backwards – but did you re-visit the jealousy idea? My friend who is a very rabbit savvy person had a jealous bunny and she had wounds that look very similar to the ones that you have. One time her jealous bunny gave her a huge bruise on her arm. She had to actually change all her clothes and shower after volunteering with the rescue rabbits before she could pet her bunny, otherwise she would get a giant CHOMP if this bunny even got a whiff of another bunny.

Yep the bloody bites.  When Cotton smells unaltered male buns on me thats what he does.

I really hope things get better for Gus bunny.  Sounds like a really difficult situation for everyone involved including Gus.