Well, I sit next to them on the floor. Of course, they get tired of it after a while and runs off, but that’s no problem. I either give them a lot of veggies to chew on, so they sit still for longer, or I just continue the next time, both bunny and I have the time. Thus, I always have a brush on top of the cage ready to use when one of them is in the mood. So grooming is just a regular routine just like petting.

Ah, that does make it more tricky. I think she just has to get used to it- you petting her and you brushing her. If she is not a chewer, you could also let the brush lie around on the floor, so she can figure out what it is.

How doe she show signs of wanting to get down? I let the bunnies down immediately if they start moving around. My boyfriend on the other hand holds them tight until they relax and he has no problem at all with having them on his lap and brushing and plucking them for an hour. My mum for some strange reason can have Karl on her lap for hours, but when I tried once a couple of months ago (after seeing her), he bit me. So I think it depends on how they are handled. Perhaps

Can you get some brush swipes in while she’s eating? My bun doesn’t like being brushed, but when he’s engrossed in a bowl of pellets he lets me get some swipes in. The more I do it, the more he seems ok with it. Plus it’s positive reinforcement that allows her to associate brushing with good things like food.

I also think that if you’re going to hold her, you need to put her down *before* she shows signs of wanting down. Or be prepared to hold on to her when she struggles a bit. If you let her down as soon as she struggles, she’ll learn that struggling gets her put down immediately, which isn’t what you want. But I would keep handling training separate from grooming for right now. For buns that hate to be picked up, you should really limit picking up to really necessary things like nail trims and not do it for daily grooming.

what may help is a grooming table high enuf you can stand and brush them .  Being so far from the ground your bun may just sit there to be brushed.

If I brush Cotton on his cage he grabs the brush and throws it.   Ruby jumps off the only thing that works for us is a grooming table.  Waist high.    Maybe try that or some other place the table if you dont’ mind hair in your food.   OR the kitchen counter? 

So, first off, I have to say thank you to all of you for really making me appreciate Marlee for “who she is.” Ha…before I found this site I was frustrated and just had no idea why she didn’t like me and never wanted me to touch her. But after reading all these posts I’ve just realized that she likes to do things on her own time, and that’s what makes it even more adorable. And I think she’s getting better, she runs up to me all the time (probably only to see if I have raisins) and overall she’s such a smart little bunny! Oh and everyone on here has such cute bunnies!

That is the most wonderful summary of a first time bunny owner I’ve ever heard!! Soo true!!

Any bun is going to resist brushing-it involves sitting still AND doing what their mom wants. Two bad things

I get them to comply by taking them to another room (Or outside-love that-no fur in the house) and putting them on something high. If they are in their comfy envirionment-it’s nothing to them to run off. But in a new spot or a high spot-they’ll stay there. It sounds so simple and it is-and it works!

Sounds like the table suggestion is going to work. You might give her something to chew on while on the table, like a carrot piece that takes a bit of time to eat. I pet Sammy who likes face rubs, then bring the comb across her gently with the other hand, so she feels good while I do it. But she has short smooth hair.