Formerly Aggressive Towards Me, Still Aggressive with Others

[sac14196]

I’m a [proud] foster-fail to Goober, my 3-year old cinnamon rabbit from the animal shelter.  He was a surrender at 1y.o., fostered by me at 2y.o. and has been with me ever since.  I was told he became aggressive after being neutered at the shelter, but I have been able to bond with him in the past year.  Goober is now a wonderful and social bunny towards me (and my cat!), but his aggressiveness remains intact with new people.  My question is this: are there ways to help him not be aggressive towards others?  

Goober is an intelligent rabbit that’s treat-motivated, and equally has a naughty and playful personality.  I’ve rabbit-proofed my apartment, and he will approach people if he’s curious, but he treats new people differently. (i.e.: if I hand him a treat, he gets it from my hand gently.  If others give him a treat, he will attack them to get the food.)

I’ve learned the two reasons he gets aggressive is because 1.) he’s scared or 2.) he’s demonstrating that he’s the alpha.  My fiancé (that lives with me) has been trying to bond with him, but unfortunately my fiancé is more scared of him and does not want to get hurt.

If anyone has had any success in getting their aggressive rabbit to ease up around new people, please let me know.  Anything helps!

[Sarita]

I think the aggression is probably due to fear and distrust and some rabbits just have a hard time with new people. Generally these rabbits are extremely intelligent. And he probably thrives with a routine so other people just are not part of his routine and therefore the distrust….which you already know.

That’s funny about your fiance’ – I imagine Goober senses that too. Fearful people can be jumpy which probably makes him anxious.

I have always felt this type of rabbit does well with alot of space so he can come to you.

[Author]

Messages