Bunny runs away, but only when given free range

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 3sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 3 months ago by Deleted User.

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- 12/19/2017 at 5:32 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Hi all – I got a bunny about 10 days ago. We’ve already managed to make a lot of progress – he was pretty terrified in the beginning – would always hide and stay in his box, yesterday was a real milestone as when I let him loose in the living room, he jumped up on the couch next to me a bunch of times. Anyway, I’m curious about his behavior, when he’s loose, he runs away from me even if I’m not really walking toward him, if I’m just walking around the living room. In his cage or litterbox (I just started litterbox training) he’s fine, or if he’s already near me (e.g., if I’m feeding him), he’s fine and seems relaxed, it’s only when he’s roaming around.
  
  Is this just instinct kicking in? I’ve read that but wasn’t sure. He’ll come right up to me if I have a treat for example. Any tips on training this behavior out of him, if possible?
  
  Another thing I noticed is that if I set him on the ground, for example, he’ll be fine for maybe 5-10 seconds then will run away, even if we were just together for 10 minutes while I was feeding him.
  
  Thanks
- 12/19/2017 at 6:16 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  It’s not a train it out of him behavior. He’s new. He’s still unsure about his new surroundings and wants to explore. He’s also probably still unsure about you. He doesn’t run away when he’s in a cage because he can’t really. And he won’t run if you have treats because you have enticement. 10 days is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Just bond with your bunny. Sit on the floor or lay on the floor and let him come to you and explore you. He will over time as his curiosity gets the best of him. But it might not be overnight. Some buns can take a while before they aren’t skittish or shy. With bunnies, patience is your greatest ally.
- 12/21/2017 at 5:43 AM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  I’m a little confused as to what behaviour you want to train away? If you’re referring to him running away, it’s not something you train him out of. You have to build up trust with him.
- 12/22/2017 at 5:05 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Thanks, I understand. He’s improving already, today I walked up to him a bunch of times while he was hen-sitting near his litterbox and he didn’t move at all, and I gave him some face rubs.
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