Rescue bunny playing up after 18 months in the home

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 3sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 5 months ago by Cottontail.

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- 10/05/2015 at 4:16 AM
  3buncc
  Participant
  5 posts
  A little background, we have 3 house buns; Moss (male english lop cross), Stella (female netherland dwarf) & George (male, probably a dutch lop). Moss came from a pet store and the other 2 are rescues, George is the most recent addition and he joined us Spring 2014. He and Moss are very strongly bonded after an easy few days – whereas Stella & George just tolerate each other.
  
  About 6 weeks ago, I started working from home so spending a lot more time with the buns. Stella who has always hated everyone is actually taking food from my hands but I feel I’ve created a monster in George!
  
  We taught him to stand on his hind legs to get a treat (an apricot wheat) but he started doing it all the time for food – it’s adorable so I don’t really mind. What I do mind, is that he’s now started to jump on me on the sofa when the standing doesn’t work, and nipping my chest. I’m 90% sure it’s nipping (not biting) but they can be a little painful. It’s not particularly aggressive but it certainly doesn’t feel affectionate!
  
  It happens most in the evening, about 2 hours before nuggets o’clock. I guess he could be hungry but he always has access to plenty of hay and they have fruit, veggies & ruffage during the day but it runs out by about 6pm.
  
  I don’t want to give them more nuggets or veg, the boys seem to get the runs if we give them any more wet foods, George prefers softer food so we’ve already had to have his teeth filed once! Does anyone know why he’s doing this and how I can get him to stop?
- 10/16/2015 at 9:58 AM
  Cottontail
  Participant
  1070 posts
  When he nips, you can let him know that it’s too rough by letting out a high pitched yelp. You could also try “giving the bunny butt” by turning away from him without leaving when he starts acting up…
  
  As far as the treats go; you could also try cutting down the size of the treat he gets, so that you can give them more often or longer into the evening without actually giving him extra. Some bunnies pick up pretty quickly that the treats are smaller though.. so that may or may not work.
  
  The only other thing i can think of that might work on the nipping is if you keep a thick blanket or small pillow that you can put on your chest when you sit on the couch. That way when he starts nipping you he gets zero reaction from you and may have to change his tactics.
  
  I wish you luck! Let us know how they’re doing!
- 10/27/2015 at 5:24 AM
  3buncc
  Participant
  5 posts
  I think I was yelping anyway because the bites did sting!
  I tried spreading out the treats and it definitely made things better, I also started giving him treats when he started jumping on the sofa before he gets nippy. It’s been nearly a month without an incident so I’m chuffed – thanks Cottontail
- 10/28/2015 at 10:52 AM
  Cottontail
  Participant
  1070 posts
  So glad that he’s doing better!
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