He runs away from me… with good reason…

[megrat7]

My first topic here is not a very happy one…

I feel terrible telling this story, but I need help! My bun (Pietro a Netherland dwarf) was hanging out on the sofa with me last week like we normally do (until then) and I looked down at him and there is blood on his little front paw! I of course freak out because we were just hanging out nice and calm! Ok, his nails were a little long so the best I can figure was the inside nail got caught on something. We promptly tried to calm him down and cut them all before any more damage was done. But now he blaims me! He runs away as soon as I come near… no amount of hand fed papya treats or willow sticks or trying to pet him behind the ears (his fav spot) will help! He’s also 9 months old, and not fixed… although I’ve heard mixed things on fixing such a “small animal”. When will he forgive me and how can we reach forgiveness sooner?!

-Distressed mom of one

[2lops]

I find it depends on the rabbit (today I examined Leila’s ears because I’m worried she’s scartching to much and although she nipped and struggled at points she forgave me after I set her free and soon after she felt comfortable and came back near me). Similar thing happened to me– we took Pudge to the vet and the vet turned out not a rabbit savvy one and pushed poor Pudge down on the metal counter, also his assistant pushed him down too! We brought him for nail clipping–he clipped too far and it bled a small bit. When we got home Pudge was NOT a happy bunny! I let him run around my room and he sat behind my dresser refusing to make contact with me at all costs.

Anyways he’ll come around. Best way I make up with Pudge is leave him alone,I let him have his space and when he wants to, he’ll take the BIG step and run past me/come near me. I figure that’s a sign of giving in… like, “okay I’m doing what I want, just don’t make me mad again or I’ll hold another grudge…” lol.

[jerseygirl]

OH poor you, don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll come around. Could you see the blood was from the nail itself when you trimmed them after? If not, be sure to look for other possible sources. This could be why he’s wary of you, he could be hiding something. He may be very cross if you investigate further but it’s for his own good and he’ll forgive………..eventually! *rolling eyes*

Welcome, by the way!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Welcome!

He’ll come around. They do hold grudges, but they do forgive-with treats and time

On neutering-VERY recommended. For behavior, health and happiness. They run a risk of cancer, can spray (pee), destroy things, hump, bite etc etc when unneutered. And the litter habits improve once neutered as well!!

[RabbitPam]

I would not try to come near him for a day, even with treats. Just lie in your usual couch spot, or on the floor next to it, so he can come near you. When he does (he will), have a little treat handy and just softly speak to him, telling him you have a treat and put it in your fingers. Let him take it from you. When he’s forgiven you, he’ll come close and indicate he will allow you to give him head pets. It’s the going after him that makes him worry.

[Beka27]

welcome here! i’ll ditto everyone else’s suggestions.

as far as neutering, it is perfectly safe, even with a small bunny, as long as you have an EXPERIENCED, rabbit-savvy vet.

[wendyzski]

When I first got Pepper I ended up spending much of what was supposed to be our “bonding” time wrestling her for 3x daiy medications for an ear infection.  She eventually forgave me, with sufficient patience and treats.  Now when I trim her nails she fusses like crazy, then once I let her go she runs straight to the kitchen and stands by the cabinet I keep the raisins in because she KNOWS she is owed a treat for being a good bunny!

[bunnytowne]

wendyski  that is so funny.   They sure learn fast don’t they?

OH they do hold grudges.  I am glad Cotton gets over his fast. 

Usually afterwards I tend to give them a treat.  HE has to realize you or someone are going to have to trim his nails on a monthly bases and his anal glands checked too.   He will get over it. and just come to accept it.

spneuter will help a lot too.   The hormones and adolescense  they go through a stage or running or being downright ornery.  Could be a combination of the 3

[megrat7]

Yes it was deffinatly the nail. It was very tender and wouldn’t let it be touched too much so he didnt put his full weight on it for a day but he was back to running like hes doing a triathalon in no time. I tried coaxing him out of his box today so maybe I will be forgiven soon…

[megrat7]

Thanks, he has sniffed around me in recent days…but always turns to run if I make any indication that Im paying attention! If he doesn’t want to be petted I let him go his own way, hes been skiddish ever since we got him (he witnessed some chickens being eaten by a wolf when he was a baby), but has lapsed after this incident… maybe more banana and patience…

[MooBunnay]

The tinier bunnies, especially the netherland dwarfs, are in general much more skittish bunnies. I have a netherland dwarf, and a netherland dwarf mixed with chinchilla and they are the two most skittish bunnies I have. They are still very very sweet, but they are just a bit more flighty than my other ones. I’m sure Pietro will come around soon!

[Hedi]

ND’s definitely have that stigma of being very flighty and skittish.

I have a 5yo ND who is bonded with a minilop and they are best buds. But my ND only graces us with her presence when she “might” get a banana slice. She hurt her eye about 6mths ago and the vet had us keep her separated from her man and they did fine-put them back together 4 wks later and you would have never known they were separated but it was nice to force her to interact w/ us. She will come crawl on us while on the couch but will have nothing to do w/ us if she thinks she might be picked up.

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