Am I being selfish…?

[StickyBun]

Perhaps this is not the right place for this thread…it is regarding bonding my 12 week old bun to myself.  Since the bonding section of this forum indicates bonding ‘rabbit to rabbit’ and I am clearly not a rabbit…I thought I would try here!  Of course this might also belong in the behavior forum but since the questionable behavior is my own…well, here goes…

I spend a lot of time here on this forum, reading and learning all I can so I can make Sticky’s life as well rounded and healthy as possible.  I read all sections of the forum…even the bonding area…even though we only have the one bunny.  I suppose it is good information to have in case another one comes into our lives.  There are many threads about bonding…particularly stress bonding…which leads me to my question.

As some of you know I am a veterinary technician, which makes me a very fortunate person indeed!  One of the veterinarians that I work for is quite rabbit savvy and has been a great help to me so far.  We have now had our bunny for 1 month and I thought it might be of some value to take him to work with me today; just to weigh him and have him checked out again.  I don’t have any health concerns for him at this time…I suppose I just wanted some reassurance that he is growing and developing normally.  

Up until this point, our bunny has not been what I would consider ‘affectionate’.  He does not allow us to pet him often and when he does, it is very brief.  He most certainly does not allow us to hold him nor does he choose to come into our laps while we sit on the floor.  This is okay, it has only been a month and these things take time.  Besides he is still quite young and has a lot of maturing to do.  He plays, eats very well, binkies all the time and zooms around…so I feel that he is adjusting well if a bit slowly for my taste! 

Well today I took him to work and I had a totally different bun on my hands!!!  He practically jumped into my arms, snuggled his face into my neck and did NOT want to be put down!!  Once he finally allowed me to set him down, he nose bumped me and pushed at my hands until I pet him…and then he PURRED!!!!!  I was in heaven….this was so wonderful….and then we came home.  He immediately went back to his normal self and perhaps I should be more diplomatic…but I am so disappointed!  Today I finally had a taste of what so many people here have on a daily basis…and I never want it to end!

I think I understand what happened today.  It is similar to stress bonding (I think)…I was the familiar thing in an unfamiliar situation, so therefore he was clinging to me.  Here is my dilemma….if stress bonding works for rabbits, can it work for the human/rabbit relationship?   Am I just being completely selfish by considering taking him to work once a week with me, to see if it can make a difference in him trusting me?  

Thanks in advance for any advice. 

[Sarita]

I don’t have that on a regular basis by any means! My free roamer Bobby, he can be affectionate but it’s not every day and the majority of the time he runs from me. From time to time he will come downstairs on his ottoman to be petted but it’s on his terms. I think this behavior is more normal than an everyday thing to be honest and I’ve had lots of different rabbits.

I think that works best for human/rabbit bonding (in my opinion) is to just let the trust develop and keep their routine as routine as possible. That was not really bonding at the vet’s, it was just stress even if it did feel good to you.

[StickyBun]

@Sarita-

I thought the same thing – it was just stress.  Perhaps I don’t understand the stress bonding thing between rabbits…because to me, it would be the same thing.  I suppose I was also thinking that another benefit to Sticky is that repeated trips to work with me would get him more familiar with the smells/sounds/etc at the vet…and so would make subsequent trips later in life less stressful? 

I don’t want to put him through unnecessary stress.  This may just be his personality and I can live with that.  At the very least, he will have an annual visit to work with me for check ups…and I will just have to take full advantage of those!  LOL!!

[LBJ10]

Someone might move this. I don’t know.

Anyway, he sounds completely normal to me. My buns turn into absolute angels any time they are at the vet’s office. In their own environment though, they can be little turds. They have a comfort level with me and know they can try to push me around and get their way. They will nip and box at me if they think they are going to get their claws clipped, for example. Take them to the vet and the vet thinks I’m insane. How could they possibly give me so much trouble when they sit perfectly still for them? Wooly will also come to me at the vet. He’ll want me to hold him and “rescue” him.

[MoveDiagonally]

I agree with Sarita.

Stress bonding between rabbits is generally used when rabbits are being aggressive. It’s not a way of bonding in and of itself. It’s a tool used to curb aggression during the bonding process. It can help get two bunnies that don’t get along to see each other as a possible source of comfort instead of as an enemy. That’s my take on it and how I use it.

For example, if you were a rabbit and someone was bonding you with Sticky and he was acting towards the rabbit you as he is now. Stress bonding would probably not be utilized.

Haha, weird example, I know. Hopefully it made sense.

[Stickerbunny]

Rabbits when stressed will become more cuddly with their human. No matter the bond at home. Powder hates being held, but take him to a vet and as long as you are saving him from the “evil” he is ok with it. Stickers will run from me 90% of the time, but put her in a situation where she is scared and she will climb my legs begging to be picked up. The fact he trusts you to be his protector and comfort means you do have a bond.

And yeah I don’t get affectionate daily either. I mean, Powder will let me pet him if I offer pretty much any time. But pets are all I get, never even a bunny kiss. Stickers on the other hand, I am lucky if she lets me pet her once a week. She is a very hands off bun and will run and hide from me still for just walking. Different rabbits act differently.

[Amys Animals]

When I first took Marley for his first vet appointment a few months ago he was so scared that he cuddled up to me and started kissing me. I knew he was scared. I hadn’t had him for that long and he didn’t trust me and would lunge at me and be a little aggressive toward me at that point, so having him get close to me and kiss me was strange considering he didn’t trust me. (I guess he did trust me enough,though) He doesn’t kiss me but he does like cuddling every once in a while, but not for very long.

I don’t get daily affection from my bunnies, well maybe from Marley, but Rascal and Valentine would rather do their own thing, although Rascal doesn’t mind being petted.

[Beka27]

Experiencing some degree of stress is a good thing at the vet. Rabbits who are stressed are (usually) easier to manipulate and handle, which helps the vet/techs do what they need to do. The same applies at home during nail trims/grooming. For that reason, I wouldn’t want to make the vet’s office seem like a “normal” place to be.

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