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I just got a bunny on the 3rd of this month, she is a female and I think she is a holland lop, the people didn’t know what she was. She is pretty good whil being held but sometimes is cranky and will try to bolt from your lap. Anyway you can tell that she is not used to having a human to love her because even though she is not extremely timid she still runs from me, has nothing to really do with me yet and thumps when I go to pick her up (which I know it means she is not happy). She has never tried to bite me or my 2 daughters though.
Tonight after holding her for a while (which she was in a bad mood and kept trying to scratch me), I put her back into her playpen in the kitchen and sat in there with her for a little and she actually started sniffing me and let me pet her while she was on the floor. I really want to form a nice close bond with her and even though my parents used to raise rabbits I never had a rabbit that I was allowed to be close to and I love her to death. Someone please help me out!
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I would do the ‘bunny ignore.’
Sit there, read a book, let her come to you. YOU must earn the trust of your bunny, believe it or not.
Bunnies really detest being held. They say bunnies are cuddly, but a small percentage enjoy being held and cuddled. They like their feet on the ground. They are a prey animal and will dart and scratch if they feel they are in danger.
I prefer laying on the ground. My bunny likes to sniff and groom my clothing, sometimes even jumping on my belly.
It can take a while for a bunny to trust you fully. It just happens. And when it does, it is the most adorable, loving moment
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Ok thank you everyone for your input! I have been sitting with her more and she seems to like that. I have also been sitting still holding food in my hand and waiting for her to come to me and I just let her have the food that way she knows that everytime she comes to me I am not going to scoop her up, and I am just trying to make it a positive experience. I have trained horses and dogs and formed bonds with the most wild of them, so I should be able to use some of that knowledge to work this out too
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Bonding with your rabbot will either be easy or hard…
My youngest (now almost 2 years old !
) whom ive had since 2 months trusts me completely, its always been that way.
She is completely confertable Flopped over in my hand..
I’m not holding her, my hand is cupped around her side but not holding her.My oldest (Just turned 2 on the third :p ) I’ve only had for a year, she hates being picked up and her eyes bulge but since working with her, she doesnt struggle anymore, but still doesnt like it..
i have great bonds with both of them. But it took effort and just like a person, one wrong move can shatter all trust (like neglect , injuring them, etc.)
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Posted By cainan on 12/10/2010 05:06 PM
Posted By Brittany on 12/09/2010 09:30 PM
“I prefer laying on the ground. My bunny likes to sniff and groom my clothing, sometimes even jumping on my belly.”
I’ve had tons of luck just laying on the ground. The added plus is the bunny backrub I get when she walks on it!
LOL! Yup! It is the best time! Sometimes my bunny will try to give me a ‘haircut.’
She is quite hysterical!
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