Handling

[toreishi]

I just rescued two Netherland dwarves, Barley and Hops, who are almost one year old.

Barley is great about being petted and Hops won’t stand for any contact. Neither will let me pick them up as I don’t think they’ve had much training/contact. How do I safely and gently teach them to be held?

I understand the possible danger of hurting their backs, so I haven’t done any handling at all for fear of hurting them or scaring them more. Thanks.

[Toki+Pumpkin+Elmo]

I think you should start Hops with accepting humans first. Can you hand feed Hops? Start bonding with them by spending few hours a day with them. You can just sit next to them and read. My trick was to give them a treat and pet them while they are eating. Slowly training them by petting them first and giving them a treat afterwards. Good luck

[MarkBun]

Some buns won’t ever want to be held. And the N. Dwarfs are notorious for being independent.

[Beka27]

yeah, i think more important than picking them up is getting them to come up to you and accept head pets or a treat. chill on the floor with a book or magazine with no other distractions and let them come up to you to investigate. do this for awhile and do not pet them. after they are used to your presence, you can then try to present your hand for grooming.

[babybunsmum]

i also think that having them grow more accustomed to you will help even though they may never *want* to be picked up.  laying on the floor & reading or watching tv really does help.  once the buns are more used to you in this way then you will ahve to practice picking them up.  i think that it’s important to do this so that it’s less stressful when you *have* to pick them up for nail clipping & vet visits… even though you may well respect that they do not like being held.

when i brought pinky bun home i had a really difficult time picking her up.  she’s a big muscular bun – 7lbs – and very very feisty.  i spent more time letting her sniff me & climb on me than trying to pet her & pick her up so that she got used to trusting me.  but i also made sure i picked her up once a day.  she’ll still try to run when she knows i’m trying to pick her up so i have to be swift & firm.  i wait until she’s near me and at the same time i swoop under her chest with one hand & block her butt with the other hand so she cannot back away and so i can pick her up by the chest & butt at the same time.   i never do this from a sitting position because i find she’s less likely to struggle when i’m standing up.  when i did this i also say “up”  and when i put her down i say “down” just to make a routine out of it.  and i donot hold her for  a long time… just long enough to pet her & reassure her with a calm voice “good girl!” and give her a kiss.  i got lots of good scratches practicing this but now i am very comfortable picking her up & i know her behaviour well enough to do it safely. 

[Deleted User]

Oh NO that is a bunny’s pet hate … they much prefer to be on the ground as they are prey animals.  Hang out on the floor with them and go down to their level … earning their trust is so important …

The only time I pick Luey up is when I have to clip his nails and clean his scent glands … then I pick him up with the towel … and cover his face, other than that I don’t pick him up at all.

 

 

[Sage Cat]

Great advice from BabyBunsMom.

I also pick mu buns once a day for a very short time – long enough to pet & reassure them, tell them how god they are. I say “pick up” so they know it is coming. And I say “down” so they know it is over.

I pick them up the same way BabyBunsMom described. I have had some good scratches too. They don’t “like” it but they tolerate it. Plus it is now a lot less stressful for me and them.

Good Luck!

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