DJ'S bad behavior

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 8sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 2 months ago by Elrohwen.

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- 12/31/2009 at 9:24 AM
  Carrot Lane Bunny
  Participant
  186 posts
  Yesterday at around 11 I was giving DJ his bedtime snack and as I put the pellets down on the floor he comes over and scratches me.
  
  DJ is neutered, around a year and a half, a free run bunny during the day and in the pen at night. He always has all the hay he wants a cup and a half of lettuce a day. Except I am out almost the whole day. He came into the shelter i found him at alone extremely young (3 weeks ).But he did have a thing for the bunny in the cage beside him. What do you think he wants ? Does he Want a friend?
- 12/31/2009 at 9:42 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I don’t think I would put anything down to a one time incident. He may have just wanted your attention at that time.
- 12/31/2009 at 9:46 AM
  Carrot Lane Bunny
  Participant
  186 posts
  thats probably the fifth or sixth time hes done it
- 12/31/2009 at 9:50 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  He probably just wants your attention then. He does it and you respond.
- 12/31/2009 at 10:31 AM
  Carrot Lane Bunny
  Participant
  186 posts
  I have been considering getting a second bun for a while I was wondering if it might make him happier?
- 12/31/2009 at 11:17 AM
  Barbie
  Participant
  1581 posts
  Maybe. Or maybe he’ll teach the new bun his scratching habit and then you’ll have two bunnies scratching you! I think Sarita is right, he’s probably doing it to get your attention. Leroy does that sometimes too when I’m giving him his dinner and not moving fast enough. Like, “Hurry up mom! I’m STARVING! It’s been a whole two hours since I last had anything to eat… see? I’m withering away!” Hehehe. And if you respond by petting him or… giving him food… it’s encouraging that bad behavior. Tell him no or make a sharp high pitched yelp, and then don’t give him his dinner until he’s forgotten about scratching you. Also, you can avoid that behavior entirely by shutting him out of the room while you’re putting down his dinner, and then call him for dinner once you have it set up. Or if he’s nearby, just put your hand firmly on his shoulders to hold him still (but not so firmly that you squish him!) while you’re getting dinner ready with your other hand. Or maybe he want’s some other toys and things to play with?
  
  If you want to get another bunny, DJ will probably like having a girl friend (kepp in mind, some bunnies are perfectly happy having their slave all to themselves!), but just make sure you consider everything before getting another bunny. And don’t expect a friend to solve his scratching issue…
- 12/31/2009 at 1:33 PM
  Carrot Lane Bunny
  Participant
  186 posts
  I understand that he wont stop scratching if i get him a friend but if mom says yes im going to let him chose a girl.I think he would like that. its going much better now.
  thanks a bunch!
- 12/31/2009 at 1:35 PM
  Carrot Lane Bunny
  Participant
  186 posts
  My mom and dad love the buns and know how much they cost so we’l see.
- 12/31/2009 at 3:13 PM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  Ditto Barbie. He’s learned that when he scratches, you put his food down. He’s not unhappy at all, he’s just trained you well 😉
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