Bunny behaviour changed + bonding with dad

[Inkyz]

So my rabbit, Cotton, is 6 1/2 months old and I’ve had her since she was 4 months old. She used to be the naughtiest thing ever, she went from chewing cords to chewing on the sofa to annoying my dog! She used to nibble on my fingers quite often and was a bit skittish. But now she’s really only comfortable with me and my mum, she’s stopped being so naughty (maybe because I hid all the wires and house plants from her). Whenever my dad gets close to her she tries to chew on his beard or she scratches him whenever she has the chance to do so. Is there something I can do to get her to like my dad? Please keep in mind that she’s not neutered yet and we’re planning on neutering her after we move, which will be in September.

[Sirius&Luna]

She probably doesn’t see chewing his beard as an aggressive behaviour, I imagine she thinks shes grooming him It’s quite sweet really. My old bunny used to nibble on my hair.

Rabbits don’t really deliberately scratch people either. It tends to happen if they’re trying to get away. Her nails might be too long too (have you ever trimmed them? If you’ve had her for over 2 months, they’re probably due a trim). Does he try to pick her up? The best thing to do is let her come to him, and maybe give her some treats when she does

[Nutmeg]

I was just going to say the same thing as S&L – it sounds like she’s grooming him lol. Super Adorable!
As for the scratching – its depending in what way… mine sort of do this when they want attention or for me to move out of their way lol But if she is lunging and scratching than she’s scared… or scratching because he’s holding her, than again she’s scared and wants down.

If he wants to than have your dad sit down on the floor with her and just ignore her… let her come up to him and explore & have him be the one to feed her for a bit

[kurottabun]

I agree that the chewing sounds like grooming. Either that or she sees the beard as something that looks like it’s worth trying to chew (some bunnies try to chew everything).

Some bunnies don’t like to be constricted. So if your dad was wrapping his arms around her or something then she might’ve been trying to run away and accidentally scratched him in the process.

[Inkyz]

Hm he does try to pick her up but she only scratches him, when I try to pick her up she’s pretty calm most of the time.

[kurottabun]

It’s probably because you interact with her more regularly than your dad so she’s more comfortable being picked up by you. Bunnies have a strong sense of smell so they would definitely recognise the different scent of a human.

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