Bonding with a previously manhandled baby bunny?

[Little Max]

Hi, i am new to this forum so I hope this topic belongs here!

I am adopting an 8 week old Dutch mix buck from a lady who lives about an hour away. She has agreed to meet me halfway, and seems really nice and knowledgeable. The only problem is, while I was speaking with her on the phone I asked if the bunnies were used to people and at least somewhat tame. She replied, “well, they run from us when we open the cage, but we grab them anyway. And my grandson plays with them all the time.”

I’m thinking, “Oh great. Now I’m gonna get a baby that’s terrified of people and of being picked up.”

I fully plan on giving him several days to get accustomed to me and his new home, and then very patiently trying to bond with him. I am just worried that because of the manhandling he was exposed to early on will affect his trusting me.

Or maybe I’m worrying too much already…

(Sorry for the word vomit, I’m picking him up tomorrow and am already so nervous!) 

[BunnyFriends]

He will probably be more timid and shy, but if you take it really slow I think you can do it. Just leave him alone the first day or two, and when you let him out, don’t go up to him. Just read a book or do something on the floor and let him approach you, sniff you, etc.

[Mikey]

Definitely take it slow and dont be upset if it takes a long time for him to get used to you. My Bombur is very nervous around people, and he is still getting used to being pet. At first he would full on attack if you tried to pet him, but now, about a year and a half later, he just runs away if hes nervous about pets

[Muchelle]

We don’t know what happened to my bun when he was a baby, but he came to me underweight and dearly afraid of men. He was (still kinda is) very possessive of food as well. It took me months to get him to be around me without fear and even more time for him to be around my father and male friends.
Be patient, apply ordinary bun rules (no sudden loud noises, no approaching him from above, no trying to pick him up, etc), make him a pen or give him a big cage he can dwell if not feeling like coming out and just hang out with him for as much as you can once he’s settled in.

He’ll sort of let you know when he’s ready to be scratched/cuddled once he’ll understand he’s in no danger and what’s your/his daily schedule Let us know how it’s going and good luck with the new baby!

[Yoyo]

Hi Lil Max, and welcome! — Since your bun, is so young, I really would not fret so much on his previous upbringing..hes just a babe, afterall..

Get him home, – give him some space the first couple of days..dont hammer him with attention, etc.. he will come around! Most buns, are social, curious creatures, sure, theres an occasional shy one, but, even those too, can be won over.

My tips, would be this – make sure, to give him ” treats” only when you are around, – this meaning, literally ANYTHING that hes not used to eating.. fresh veg, apple, banana,.. whatever.. so, he can quickly link you = good things… once that bond is established, I really think, you could accomplish so much, as far as trust goes.

Grats on your new bun, btw! Cant wait to hear how things go for the both of you

PS – btw – a great many buns don’t like to be held, so, plz, – don’t base your buns tameness, on that fact.

[12345ABCDE]

I don’t have anything else to add really – take it slow and you’ll be golden!

[Bladesmith]

Little Max, we have a little Netherland dwarf that’s hand reared, but not exactly the friendliest of bunnies.  Dawn has always been cage aggressive, standoffish, and just not a cuddler.

Take lots of time if your bun won’t spend time with you.  Don’t force it, don’t make more physical contact with the bun than you have to.  You’re going to spend a LOT of time sitting on the floor.  I do.  Lying down, with your face at his level, even better.  Don’t try to pet or make contact.  Pretty much, let the bunny out and then ignore it, which is a REALLY hard thing to do, with them being so squee.  But resist.  Eventually, it’s curiosity will get the better of it, and he’ll come to you.  Maybe just a sniff at first, or he’ll sit near you and watch you.  Have treats handy, and offer when he seems to be wanting to make contact (We’re not above bribing for affection, lol).  But resist getting grabby!!  When you get to the point where he’s sniffing your face or hopping onto your back (As we speak, Dawn is pawing at my legs.  She won’t let me pet her, but I am allowed to extend one finger so she can scent mark me.  Her highness is SOOO generous with her affections.), then you’re well on your way to petting and cuddling.  Best of luck.

[Little Max]

A HUGE thanks to everyone who’s replied. I feel much better about everything now. I found out today that Max is a purebred black Dutch, (I was under the impression he was just a mix) and both his parents were show bunnies!
I got him home this afternoon, and he immediately began hopping around his cage and nibbling on hay. He seems unbothered by me.
I haven’t tried to pet him or hold him or anything, I will be taking the bonding process slowly and carefully. But so far, I am excited that he seems fine with everything.
Can anyone offer me advice on how to get him used to my hands? Like after a few days of letting him settle in, should I start offering him a treat or something from my hand and seeing if he’ll accept it?

[Mikey]

Start slow so that he can set the pace I like this tactic, which should be done slowly over the course of several days/weeks:

> Lay on the floor (on your back or your front; both are acceptable) and hide your hands under you. This will allow your bunny to bond with you as they will see you are not a threat, and are a pretty fun jungle gym to play on.

> After he is good and happy exploring and/or sitting on you, sit instead of lay and keep your hands relatively hidden. This is to get your bunny used to you being around in other nonthreatening positions.

> Once he is used to this, sit around with your hands in your lap and/or by your side. Dont reach for him, try to pet him, ect. Just let your hands relax. If he nips, just pull your hand back and yip. Otherwise, continue to let him explore your hands and lap.

> Once he is pretty used to having your hands around, start giving him greens/pellets/treats; still dont reach for him or try to pet him. This will help him learn that you are a food bringing, which means you are a great and nonthreatening friend

> Once he knows your hands are nonthreatening, wont always reach for him every time he is near, and brings offerings of delicious food, offer to pet him a little less than half the time he comes up to you. Just stick your hand out, wait for a few seconds, offer one pet, and if he accepts, continue petting. If at any point he runs away, let him so he knows you are not there to chase him, and lay off trying to pet him the next few times he comes up.

[12345ABCDE]

I would just sit on the floor with him and rest your hands on your knee and see if he comes up and sniffs you. Just don’t try to pet him right away as Mikey said I’ve had my little Peanut for 5 months now and he’s just getting used to being pet and actually enjoying it but I have to take it slowly with him and not overwhelm him so I usually let him sniff my hands before I pet him so he doesn’t get startled.

[Little Max]

Thanks Mikey! When I put food in his bowl this morning, Max hopped right up to me and began sniffing my hand. I let him sniff as I poured his food and then I just took my hand out. He followed my hand and started peering through his cage door. I gently nudged him back inside because I was getting ready for school, but he put his front paws on the gate and started sniffing the air. He is so curious! I don’t think I’ll have any trouble getting him used to me.
When would be a good time to set up his xpen and let him come out? I’ll be laying down as Mikey suggested so Max isn’t threatened, but I don’t want to rush things. Thanks to everyone again!!

[Mikey]

Sounds like the bonding will go pretty smoothly given that he is both trusting and curious Setting up the xpen sounds like a good idea

[Little Max]

I’ll take things slow and hopefully Max accepts me as a new (albeit giant) friend!
(Sorry for the dumb question, but is there a way to mark this thread as resolved or something? I’d love to keep chatting with all of you but I just don’t want to sidetrack the forum or thread or anything)

[Author]

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