You intuition is correct in that it isn’t a great idea to get him “used to” being on his back. I would have been very concerned with the way the second person was handling him.

“Tonic immobility” or “Trancing” as it’s commonly called is somewhat controversial, because some studies have shown it to be very stressful to the rabbit, although they appear relaxed. There are some differences in the way it’s done, however. True “tonic immobility” is essentially the rabbit playing dead, and is usually induced by scruffing the rabbit and then flipping them over. Some studies have found the heart rhythm changes and there is a spike in stress hormones after this happens. One member reported their rabbit died after being tranced due to an unknown heart defect. That said, it is still a very common practice and I’ve only ever heard of that one complication from it. Some view it as a necessary evil, and that if the alternative is more stressful it’s preferred. So for example, if you were able to trance the bun at home and trim his nails in a few minutes, vs driving somewhere and having a strange human handle the bun, that would probably be less stressful overall to the rabbit.

Do you have anyone who could help you with nail trims? If you have a helper, learning to do his nails at home would be great long term. There are many different ways you can do it, each of my buns has a preferred way they like to be held for trims (or rather, some of them are VERY opinionated about the ways they will not tolerate). I don’t flip any of my buns for trimming these days. My girls prefer to be held in a more vertical position (I hold them with their back against me and feet facing out), and my boys I hold more like little foot balls, and change the angle to lift each foot for the trimmer to access. If not, then the vet is probably safer than going to the store you went to. Usually vets don’t charge a lot for trims once you are an existing client.

For dark nails, it’s best to trim regularly and just a small amount until you get the hang of it. If you keep a good schedule you’ll know about how much to trim each time. You can also use a flashlight against the nail to help you see the quick.

Here are many videos on different nail clipping techniques: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Grooming#Trimming_nails

In terms of handling, he is likely always going to strongly dislike carrying, and he can likely still tolerate being carried in order to get through a nail clipping.

Also wanted to add that there are some training videos out there about how to use clicker training to get your bun used to having his feet touched. It’s also known as “cooperative care”, and it what’s typically used in zoo animals for health procedures. My favorite video is no longer available, but first she trained the bun to stay on a mat, then she got him used to her touching his foot, then she got him used to bringing the clipper close to the foot, then she would cut a piece of raw spaghetti near the bun’s foot to get him used to the sound, and then finally she would clip a nail! All of that was a progression that was worked up to, with a combo of “low value treats” for the bun staying on the mat, and “high value treats” for the bun not reacting to the foot touches etc.

If you’re interested in clicker training that could be fun to try as well!

If you have a rabbit experience vet near you they can cut their nails his nails for you. I took my bun when she was little to my vet ( she was very wiggly ) and it cost 5 dollars. Light is your best friend if you are doing it from home with black nails. It helps you see the nail better and where to cut

We just had my bunny spayed on Thursday. She is a Holland Lop and squirmy as can be. I can’t even touch her paws. So, when I brought her in for the spay, they did her nails too. It was only $8. The best $8 I have ever spent. LOL. When we picked her up from surgery. I asked did they get the nails trimmed. The vet laughed and told me, that’s a 2 person job. I said, well glad you were successful, because it will always be your job.

haha! sounds like $8 was a bargain!