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 Gaining Trust

Viewing 8 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • sr2011
      Participant
      44 posts Send Private Message

        I’m having a difficult time gaining trust with my bunny.  She’ll let me pet her occasionaly but sometimes gets scared when I walk into the room.  I have been trying to work with her on letting me pick her up in case I need to in an emergencey and since I’ve been practicing, she’s started completely ignoring me.  Even when I reach down to pet her she runs away and hides.  I feel bad and I don’t know how to gain her trust.  Any advice would be appreciated!


      • BinkyBunny
        Moderator
        8776 posts Send Private Message

          I think one of the biggest things in winning over a shy bunny is just spending time with them on the floor in a room with the door closed.   Then just have a magazine or book, or laptop, whatever to keep you occupied and let your bunny come to you.  Have healthy treats ready, or if you have sugary treats like carrots, apples, banana, just cut them up into tiny little pieces so you don’t give to many.  

          In rabbit language, just hanging out and ignoring can actualy mean “I’m non-threatening”

          Let her just become comfortable with your presence without reaching out to her. 

          Here is a good article with tips: http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.html you’ll have to scroll down past all of the lecturing about holding as I know you are not trying to do that.  Just skip down to the numbered tips.  Those are very helpful.

          This can take several weeks to start to see results.  Just be patient and I bet you will see her trust you soon enough.

          Keep us updated on what ends up working for you. 

           


        • mrmac
          Participant
          2156 posts Send Private Message

            Whn I first got my girl bunny she did the same thing plus the biting growling and lunging. My bunnys do that same run away thing every once in a while. I agree with binkybunny about getting on the floor, thats what me and my husband do all the time and they have learned to crawl all over us when we lay down. Like binky said it may take some time but once she is really used to you it will be well worth it!


          • bunnytowne
            Participant
            7537 posts Send Private Message

              Has this started since you have been practicing picking her up?  If so that may be why.  She may think oh no I am going to get picked up again  RUN!!!         

              What I have read on another post a long while back was about picking up a rabbit.   That it helps to say up or whatever word you want to use b4 picking bun up that way bun can be prepared.

              Cotton had taken to running from me too cause of that. He never knew if I was gona pet him or pick him up.  So I tried that advice and it is working very well now.   

              I say Cotton I am going to pick you up  repeating pick you up so he knows the phrase.   HE hops to the same place in the house and prepares himself for pick up.    When I am coming to pet him I say  I am coming to pet you   you want some pettings.   Repeating pets pettings so he knows.   It is working very well. 

              How long have you had  your furrbaby?  The previous advice on spending time on the floor and letting bunny approach you is good advice too. Takes a little time but they come around.


            • BinkyBunny
              Moderator
              8776 posts Send Private Message

                Hey, Bunnytowne has a good point. I did not know you had been practicing picking her up earlier. If that is the case then, you may want to wait until you have some trust gained before you do pick-up practice.


              • sr2011
                Participant
                44 posts Send Private Message

                  Yes it’s probably because I’ve started trying to pick her up. I thought I had the trust thing established before hand. I haven’t tried in several days and she still seems scared of me. I don’t blame her though! I just want to get back to where we were. I’ve had her for about 2 and a half months so I’m sure I just need more time.


                • Deleted User
                  Participant
                  22064 posts Send Private Message

                    I had trouble with my mini rex at first. He used to bite my hands because he was very frightened of being picked up. He’ld hide and be breathing fast. I had success with letting him decide when he wanted to approach me (I would be lounging on my floor, waiting). I also used to wet my fingers with water and stroke his cheeks gently, he loved that, purred lots, and nestled right in beside me.


                  • Deleted User
                    Participant
                    22064 posts Send Private Message

                      …just re-read my post. I think, I need to clarify why I wet my fingers with water; my mini rex wouldn’t let me rub his face without nipping at my hands. The wet fingers made him just melt, I think, it felt more like real bunny-grooming to him, more on his comfort level.


                    • Scarlet_Rose
                      Participant
                      4293 posts Send Private Message

                        Hi SMU! Gaining trust can and does take a long time with some rabbits. Before you try picking up, spend some quality time on the floor with your rabbit, making them curious and coming up to you. Try reading a rabbit-safe chewing material like a newspaper and offer a small treat or “reward” for them coming up to investigate you. This helps them associate you with a positive experience. You also want to wean off of offering treats and offer a pet instead when you’ve built a sort of friendship.

                    Viewing 8 reply threads
                    • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                    Forum BEHAVIOR Gaining Trust