Bonding and Handling – techniques and resources

[Seza]

I have had my bunny Luna for two and a half months. I spend time with her on my bed. I set it up with boxes and toys etc so we are on the same level. She seems to like this time and binkys a lot.
I understand bunnies aren’t like dogs and expect to be patted or anything but I want her to associate my hands with food and gentle strokes on her cheeks and nose (which she likes). I try to make slow movements within her line of sight but she still seems unsure of my hands coming near her. Although I usually let her approach me unless I’m outstretching my arm just a little but to hand feed her some food.

I also want to try and get her to feel more comfortable and at ease with handling. It’s inevitable that I need to trim her nails and brush her and take her to the vet.
I don’t really pick her up as I don’t want to reverse any bonding, so she jumps into her basket to be transported to and from her enclosure to spend time in my room.

I’ve tried offering food whenever she comes near me and sort of let her set the pace but at the moment there seems to be no progress. I want to bond with her more but not sure what else I can do without breaking her trust.

Basically I just want to find out what I could do to help her with general handling.
And if there is any resources I should check out.

[bunnylova123]

Try clicker training, it will help you bond and Luna to get treats http://clickerbunny.com/clickercritterarticles.htm

[Elrohwen]

So far it sounds like you’re doing a lot of things right! It may just be a case of being patient and continuing to do what you’re doing. In my experience, even a social bunny can take months or a year to bond with a human, and less social bunnies are harder of course. She just needs to get used to your movements and and learn what to expect. Once she realizes a hand reaching for her means food or pets (which you said she enjoys) she’ll be less skittish about it, but it will take time.

Ignoring bunnies works pretty well. Sit and read a book, and eventually she’ll be curious and come to check you out. You can offer a treat when she does (which it sounds like you are).

For doing nails and things, I’ve found that also takes time and just doing it. The more confident you are, the more relaxed they will be, but it’s hard to be confident handling a bunny if you’re not used to it. I took mine to the vet for nail trims for a couple years actually. I only started doing it myself (with a helper) the last couple years when we both got more comfortable holding them. It’s great that you’ve got her jumping into a basket! I always try to let my bunnies be transported in a carrier or something instead of directly picking them up. One of mine wouldn’t cross the hardwood floors in our old house, so he would get in his Maze Haven and wait for me to carry the whole thing out into the living room.

[Seza]

Haha bunnies are hilarious at times.
She used to jump on me when we were chilling on my bed but only for a few seconds. So I thought I could leave some sort of food on my shirt while I surf the net on my phone and she does her thing. I thought it would be good because she would be above me not me above her as well. Just to help her curiosity along.

[BinkyBunny]

When you say she is tentative of your hands, what happens exactly? Does she run away, lunge or ??

[Seza]

She’s wary of my hands but if my hands are still she has no problem going to them. I try to hand feed some food to help her get used to me more.
Or I’ll just sit in her pen.

[Beka27]

Welcome back! It’s been several months… How is she doing? Are you guys establishing a good routine?

[Author]

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