affectionate bunnies

[eyorelop]

Is it your experience that a bunny is either affectionate or not or do you think the love of the owner also affects whether a bunny will be affectionate or not.  Eyore has been a tool today.  I thought I was making progress.  I am trying to be patient but it is frustrating to me.  I am determined to win the buggar over. 

[bunnymum16]

its probably hormones.my bunny would let me pet him sometimes and at times he would just run away from me.

[LizzieKnittyBun]

I imagine it’s a combination of nature and nurture. Momo used to be afraid and run from us, but now she rarely does. She lives to relax and be petted. It just took some time.

Keep at it! : )

[LoveChaCha]

Bunnies have their good and bad days. Just like we slaves do.

It took me a few months to have the trust of my bunny. Wouldn’t come near for pets, would run away. After a while, she realized that I wasn’t going to chase her. It was very very sweet the first time she licked my face. I giggled for a long time afterward.

He will come around. He still needs time. Mama please be more patient with baby

[BinkyBunny]

Definitely bunnies can be more affectionate one day than another. Each bunny is different and some may always be friendly while others may always be stand offish, but in general, there will be some ups and downs as far as how much they want to interact.

Vivian has just recently become more consistently affectionate and I’ve had her for a year, but it’s taken her a while to fully trust. I think the fact that when I see her every morning, she gets a treat, so she’ll many times run up to me the moment I walk into the bunnyroom, but now instead of giving a treat right away, I give her affection first. In the beginning, she only wanted me to touch her head and go no father than the middle of her back before she would huff, box me or run away. Now she is much more trusting and settles in to pets all the way down her back. It just took time and patience. I know it’s hard, especially when you just want to love them, and give them affection and feel their soft fur.

So just keep being patient, and try other little tricks like offer a treat when you first see him until he knows that something yummy is associated with you. Then after about a month or so, try then offering a little head scratch with the treat. But again, it can take time…like months if you have a standoffish bunny.

If it’s just a day or two of being standoffish, even though you’ve made progress, don’t sweat it, it doesn’t mean everything has gone downhill.

[RabbitPam]

It’s moods. You’ve gotten excellent advice, so I just want to share that Samantha was inexplicably insane yesterday. For a couple of mornings she has been greeting me in the AM with a head push for pets, then lunges with her teeth and boxes with her paws and growls! – then brings her head right back to the offending hand (mine) for more pets. I just think she’s nuts. She was doing this all morning, lunging and growling and running away and coming back and pushing hard for head pets and then repeating it all. I finally said to her “why should I pet you? You’re in a bad mood and being mean.”

She was still that way when I got home, and I made sure she didn’t have any pain spots on her chin or tummy so it wasn’t that she was ill. And she had plenty of energy, appetite and poos. Just an obnoxious mood.

And then late into the evening, she came over to me where I lie on a pillow to watch TV and wanted me to pull her in for a snuggle. so I did. She was kissing me and dozing. I guess she felt better. I’d like to blame hormones, but she’s been spayed for a year.

Bunnies. Cant live with ’em. Can’t live without ’em.
{{{{{{{{{{Vibes for Eyore to be sweet today}}}}}}}}}

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Some bunnies like attention and some bunnies don’t, its as simple as that. My bunny Fern loves to get petted she grinds her teeth and sinks down when I scratch her head and ears. She sometimes even charges at me when I try to leave.

Thistle on the other hand does not really enjoy being petted. In the time that I have had him he has learned to tolerate a pat or two but after that he usually hops away. Sometimes he even grunts if I pet him when he is eating – not in a aggressive way, more like in a annoyed way. I used to try and force the petting on him but then I realized he is not the same bunny as Fern. He is still a joy to be around, but Fern will always be my baby! And I love seeing Thistle and Fern cuddle- it makes me feel happy I got Fern a friend.

But it is difficult to tell not weather your bunny will end up being a cuddly bun or a stand offish bun. He is still getting to know you and you can only figure out if he is a cuddle bun once you have bonded with him. (Bunnies take a while to trust the people and things surrounding them.)

But Even if he is a bit stand offish don’t fret, you can still get great fulfillment out of having your bunny. You can teach him tricks and watch him do zooms and binkys!

[Elrohwen]

I think it’s a lot about personality, and a lot about how much time you put in with them. Otto does not like to be petted really, but after having him for 8 months we got to the point where he would let us lay with him and cuddle him as long as we wanted. We still had to approach on his terms, but he enjoyed it at specific times. After bonding him with Hannah he went back to no touching, so we’re working on him again and he’s getting better. Even though he doesn’t like to be touched, I still think he’s affectionate – he’s comfortable enough with us to lay next to us, climb on us, and give us kisses on the nose. All of those things have come out of his personality after months and months of spending time with him and being patient with whatever he wanted to offer us. Guests come over and consider him pretty aloof, because he hangs back and doesn’t interact with them much, but we know what his real personality is like because we love him for who he is and we don’t expect anything else out of him. Sure, it’s annoying sometimes when I get the bunny butt after trying to pet him, but it makes the victories (like getting him to jump up on the couch and sit with me, after 1.5 years) even better.

It’s in Hannah’s nature to love pets, and even when she was new to us and very nervous, she still allowed pets. Now, after 5 months she’s at the stage where she will jump on us, but is sometimes too nervous to lay next to us on her own, or stay up on the couch for longer than a few seconds with us. She’s a confident bunny, and loves to be petted, but even after 5 months I can tell that she’s still getting comfortable with us. It takes a long time for bunnies to really get used to you.

[eyorelop]

Eyore really likes to be petted he will immediately lay down and his eyes will start to close. So I am hoping with time. I spend every day as soon as I get home with him till bedtime. So I guess I am getting a little frustrated with little return but my adoption councelor reminded me he has been thru a lot since I am his 3rd home, which I think is more due to the fact of the people than him bc I have to say he is extremely well behaved as far as littler box and not being destructive. Thanks for all your advice. I will hand in there. I always liked a challenge and I am going to win him over with my charm and papaya if it kills me. I got a pony as a kid and she was only $300. After we bought her I realized why so cheap. Head strong extremely hard to handle it took me 3 yrs to learn to control her but I was as stubborn as her. The co founder of house rabbit society says lops have bunnitude. Well I am only child he is not the only one who can have an attitude. lol I have given him free reign of the bunny room this weekend and he has done well. He does seem to really enjoy being out even though he has a really nice big pen. So ungrateful. Ha Ha.

[Elrohwen]

I’m not sure I agree with the lops and bunnitude part – in my experience lops are pretty laid back, actually. English lops and usually described as being one of the most dog-like breeds of bunny.

If he likes to be petted, I would say he *is* an affectionate bunny. Plenty of rabbits hate to be touched, so if he enjoys it you’re already ahead of the game. What else are you hoping to get from him?

[skibunny8503]

I have 3 lops (2 mini, 1 holland) and they all have different personalities.  Gracie is just now becoming more cuddley and we’ve had her since spring of 09.  Sandy loves attention but also gets into trouble sometimes.  All bunnies are different.  But I think he’s becoming more affectionate if he’s letting you pet him, that’s a good sign!  In my experience it took a few months for mine to really open up and get used to everything.  Even for myself moving into a different home and envirnoment it takes a few months to get used to everything.  I’m sure he’ll open up soon, it’ll take longer for him since he’s been in 3 different homes and probably isn’t sure if he can trust you enough because he’s used to staying for awhile and then leaving so he’s probably just not sure if he should settle down because he’s afraid he might be leaving soon…maybe.  Good luck!

[eyorelop]

I was hoping in time he would approach me on his own. He is better in his room but downstairs he goes to a corner or in our office and stays to himself. Since he likes to lounge I was hoping he would lay down on the couch and let me rub him but so far no luck. He will hop up sniff me and hop off do a loop around living room and he also has a spot in the breakfast area he likes to lay in. I am trying to give him attention so he is not lonely.

[Elrohwen]

My Hannah loves pets and loves coming up on the couch, but after living here for 5 months she still gets nervous about coming up on the couch *and* staying for pets. She prefers to relax on the floor, but she does enjoy climbing on the couch (and people sitting on it) like a jungle gym. I consider her a pretty affectionate bunny, but she’s only relaxed on the couch and let me pet her maybe one or two times.

I would recommend feeding lots of treats. 90% of the reason that my bunnies look so happy to see me is that I’m constantly feeding them! Haha. Like others said, I started with a lot of treats until they trusted that they could run up to me, then I would pet them once they approached.

Have you tried going up to him and sitting next to him with a book? Many bunnies just like to be near people – not sitting with people like dogs and some cats do. Hannah loves pets, but she has no intentions of sitting on my lap. Otto loves to hang out with us in the evening, but for him that means laying sprawled out in the middle of the living room while we watch tv and occasionally coming over to see if we have treats for him.

It just takes a long long time – months. I think you’re doing the right things, you just need to be more patient with him and learn to appreciate the things that he does give you (loving pets is great!) and not worry so much about the things he does.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Just weighing in here on the lop personality thing.. Zeus is a lop (we think perhaps Mini/French Lop, or just French) and is like the previous poster described, very “dog-like”.  Follows me wherever I go, is always really happy to see me, dieing for attention, etc, etc.

But, even if your bun is not like this, just embrace whatever personality he does have!  I’d love Zeus just as much if he was more aloof and independent.  The wide varieties in personalities in buns is what makes them so cool.  

[MissKris&Koji]

Seems to make sense to me that he would be “better” in his own space. If you think about it, he is probably most comfortable there so most likely to be himself and be trusting of and interested in you. In a newer space, rabbits being curious creatures, I’m sure what he’s interested in is checking the place out, or finding a good safe spot to watch from because he’s not fully comfortable there.

If you’re doing better in his pen, and his room when you open the pen, I would keep it there for now. I gave our rabbit too much space at first and it caused problems. Even though he’s very exploratory and brave for a bunny, too much space too quickly set us back with litter habits and such. I am now of the opinion that it’s best to take it slow.

[RabbitPam]

It doesn’t sound like Eyore is lonely at all. You’d be amazed at how much they consider being in the same room with you as having company. In fact, after years of trust (or less) you may notice him sleeping deeply and dreaming while you are working in your office. That will be an ultimate statement of comfort and security. He will trust you enough that he is safe to not stay alert. Actually, if he is lying down and flopping now with you there, he already is feeling safe. And I agree that if he shows he likes pets, you are doing extremely well. He sounds like he has found his angel who has rescued him into his forever home. So there’s really no hurry for either of you now.

The notion that pops to mind is if you compare it to snuggling up to your car. If your car were animated, like in a cartoon, it still would be huge and a bit intimidating just due to the size. Bunnies cuddle other bunnies, but are not as eager to get close for long with huge animals, like us. After all, most huge animals are predators. We are working with thousands of years of dna survival programming in bunnies. You are both doing great so far!!!!

[eyorelop]

Thanks for all the support it makes me feel better.  This is my first bunny and I don’t know why I am stressing over it so much.  Also knowing Eyore’s history makes me want to really make a difference in his life.  I want him to love me as much as I love him already. 

[Chucklebun]

My first bun Dylan, is a big tart! He will do anything for pellets, loves to sit on teh floor while I smush his head and scratch behind his ears, will submit to hour=long plucking sessions if he’s moulting, and has just started literally climbing up my legs for a hello – rather than eat his pellets! But it all has to be on his terms, if he doesn’t want to play, he won’t. Simple as that.

I’ve just got a new bun who isn’t used to people, so is pretty jumpy if you ‘sneak’ up on him, I’ve taken to singing before I even get into the bunny room to pre-warn him, lol! Once he’s picked up tho, totally chilled out and treats it all as a big game (he has teeth issues, so at the moment I’m having to check him out daily). He will use me as a climbing frame on the sofa, and I’m getting bunny kisses, which Dylan doesn’t dish out freely but no way will he sit for head pets. He’s just getting used to me, but I guess I also need to get used to that fact that all buns are different.
My fiancee remined me that when we first got Dylan, he was just as jumpy and skittish, and we’ve now had him just over a year. It’s been so gradual a transition I forgot he’d even been like that!

Take whatever love they give, and just be patient

C xxx

[BinkyBunny]

Posted By eyorelop on 08/30/2010 06:49 AM

.  Also knowing Eyore’s history makes me want to really make a difference in his life.  I want him to love me as much as I love him already. 

Awe…that is really sweet. .    

I know it may not feel so great when you are pouring out love and it feels rejected or ignored…., but the fact that he is allowing you to give him pets is a wonderful sign.   He may never ask you for affection — some bunnies do but some bunnies don’t (he may be a more passive bunny and not dominant or assertive enough to actually reach out to ask)  but that doesn’t mean he is not attaching emotionally to you..  When he settles into your affection –take that as the acceptance…because it is.  If he didn’t want you to pet him or he didn’t  enjoy it, he wouldn’t allow you to do it.    By him allowing you to pet him– it’s his way of loving you, and that means you ARE making a difference in his life right now.   Revel in that sweetness!

[eyorelop]

Thanks for that.  Last night I was bummed.  He went under the futon in his room and I could not get him to come out.  So he ended up in his room all night.  Later I went in and I guess I tried to refrain from going up to him to see if he would approach me -  no luck.  I gave him some rubs before bed and sat with him for an hour.  He lays all relaxed with his legs back which I have been told is a really good sign.  Sometimes I feel like a food provider and that it doesn’t matter if I am there or not.  When downstairs he seems to get as far from us as possible either going in our office or laying in front of the office doorway in breakfast area .  Only comes in livingroom to do a loop hop and look around then goes back to his spot.  Going to give it time and try not to get frustrated or sad. 

[jerseygirl]

Have you tried ignoring him when he’s in the common area? Bunnies don’t liked being ignored and they come to tell you if you do it!

[eyorelop]

Our common area is so big and he usually goes off to himself.  But the room he is in he has the run of and I deliberately did not try to pet him like I normally do.  I eventually laid down with my head and he sniffed my head but that was all I could get out of him.  I eventually rubbed his head for awhile before bed, which I know he likes he closes his eyes and I feel his teeth grinding.  Do you think bunny’s change as they get more comfortable or is the personality he is showing what it will be forever.

[Elrohwen]

Bunnies absolutely change as they get more comfortable – as a lot of us have shared, our bunnies have taken many months (sometimes more than a year) to get comfortable in our homes. I’ve had Otto for a year and a half and he gets more comfortable and trusting every week. His personality is constantly changing as he comes out of his shell. Your relationship with your bunny is a lifetime thing, and it will take him a long time to come out of his shell.

Also, as some said, many bunnies like to be petted but will not approach and demand pets. Hannah will do anything for a head scratch, but I’ve never known her to demand them. I have to approach her, but when I do she’s more than happy for the attention. She will approach me and climb on me sometimes, but she never stays and never cuddles with me. Bunnies are different creatures than dogs and cats – they show their affection differently and often they show it by laying down, relaxed, in the same room as you, or just by letting you pet them. They’re not the pet that curls up on your lap and falls asleep.

[eyorelop]

Thanks for that, this has been driving me crazy.  He has a sweet spirit mixed with attitude.  I think I have been really stressed out over this and I am sure he can sense that.  I am an over analyzer, thanks Mom.  lol.  I do know that the co-founder of the shelter who found him as a baby sheltered him for awhile and said he was very affectionate with her but who knows what has happened to him since then.  I think bc I knew this would be a long term committment I wanted to do the right things.  Everyone on this site is so helpful and friendly and since I have only had dogs and guinea pigs it is nice to have a place to go for info.

 

thanks Lori

[Elrohwen]

If she’s a bunny person, she might mean “very affectionate” in a very different way than you do. I pretty much consider any bunny that really enjoys pets (and enjoys pets any time, anywhere, since many only like them on their own terms) to be a very affectionate bunny. In my opinion, your bunny is already very affectionate, though still scared and unsure of his environment and the new people he lives with. He’s getting used to things, but he’s not un-affectionate at all. I think it’s just a matter of learning what to expect from bunnies – once you’ve been around a number of them you’ll realize that one who is calm and loves pets is actually pretty darn good! You wouldn’t believe how many “don’t touch me” bunnies there are out there.

[eyorelop]

I will learn to be happy with that, then.  He does not chew stuff and it immaculate with the litter box so I know I am lucky in those ways too. Plus he is just so darn cute, ha ha.

[Otti]

I don’t know if maybe you’re doing this already, but I thought I’d mention it since I think it helped me with Sammy initially. For the first 3 or 4 weeks I had him, I tried my best whenever around him to not make any sudden movements, to just move calmly and not hurriedly in general. I also avoided making loud noises (like dropping or closing things loudly, or talking too loud). I think it helped him realize I didn’t have any ‘tricks up my sleeve’ so to speak LOL Maybe I’m wrong but I think it did make him relax faster.

I used to watch the Dog Whisperer a lot, and though bunnies are very different than dogs, I do think they can sense our mental state in the same instinctive way. So if you want to be the ‘pack leader’ lol you’re going to have to project your calm assertive energy, and if he’ll know what to expect from you and relax because of that as well… if that makes sense.

[Elrohwen]

He sounds like a great bunny to me! He’ll definitely come out of his shell with time and will spend more time laying in the same room as you, instead of going into the other room in the evening. Though sometimes my bunnies spend all evening in the other room and don’t feel like coming to see us – that’s when we drag their little butts out or lure them with treats 😉

[Author]

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