Help with bunny handling.

[iamtony0]

It is now time where it is finally mandatory that I need to finally carry and handle my bun. He is not only having his first vet visit coming up but his nails are also getting long.

I spent the last 3 months doing the bonding thing and it has actually worked out great. My bun accepts pets literally everywhere except his chin, neck and belly. I can even pet his feet and tail! But I think anytime I try to pet the bottom part of “the loaf”, he feels like he is about to be carried and scoots away…

Of course, I started research reading and also looking at YouTube vids but pretty much EVERY rabbit handling video has a bun who is already crazy tame. I wish these YouTubers would do a handling video at a shelter or something so we can see firsthand their handling techniques on buns that they don’t know at all…

Anyways, how should I approach this? Towel burrito? High quality treats in a pet carrier that I lock up when my bun goes in and carry around for a short period of time? Straight-up manhandling? 😯

I’ve been scared to start this stage honestly because I have invested so much time successfully bonding and I’m terrified that I will throw that effort all away if my bun has a super bad experience with this.  What should I do?

Any replies will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Hazel]

I would avoid picking him up if at all possible. The least stressful thing to do would be to train him to go into his carrier, then carry him where he needs to go. Since he lets you touch his feet, you might be able to trim his nails without picking him up at all. If he won’t let you do it while he’s on the floor, you can try putting him up on a table, that usually keeps them from moving around (make sure to put a towel or something down so it’s not slippery).

[DanaNM]

Training to go in a carrier is a great thing to do, but I do agree that you should be able to confidently pick up your bun for necessary things. I volunteer at a shelter and have to pick up lots of squirrely buns (and have a few of my own that HATE being picked up). Here’s my method!  (I’m right handed so this is assuming you are too, but reverse the hands if you are not!)

Ideally the rabbit is already in a calm state (so you could be giving head pats). The next things should kind of be done -in one confident, relatively fast, smooth, swoop:

With my right hand pressing gently down on bun’s head and the bun facing me, I will position my left forearm along the side of bun (my left side, Bun’s right side lol). Then simultaneously slight my right hand under the buns front quarters (think armpits), and my left hand will scoop up the bum (not the back legs). Then I basically hold bun under my left arm against my left hip, so my left forearm is along one side, bun’s other side against the left side of my torso, and the bun’s bum is facing forward. I will keep my right hand under their hindquarters, but I can actually carry a bun with one arm this way if they are pressed firmly enough against my hip (useful when opening cage doors, etc.). It kind of looks like running a rugby ball!

I can try to film this if it would be helpful, but it is not as complicated as it sounds and I’ve found it to be very safe and effective.

If you only do this when needed, your bond with your bun will be fine. Just give a treat after and they will forgive you shortly. 😉 I usually get some foot thumps and dirt flicks after nail trims but no major grudges.

 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[pinkiemarie]

This is kind of how I do it too, but with my particularly bad at being handled rabbit I have to cover his eyes, so I’m scooping with left, covering eyes with right, then up into a football hold (which he tries to kick out of every time). When practice hopefully your bun will feel comfortable enough with this to just allow it, which is ideal because sometimes you just can’t help but pick them up. My 2 other buns don’t like it but they just accept that they’re being handled. I hope yours learns to just go with it too!

[DanaNM]

Today during my shift I had someone film me getting Catalina to put her back in her hutch for the night. Ignore my rambling lol. She’s a pretty feisty one but doesn’t struggle too much once you’ve got her.

@pinkimarie it totally is a football hold!

This link should let you view the video:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12iIW-I7CAJIK7Zah6jN0470eQkOlaqr3/view?usp=sharing

Hope it’s helpful!

 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Peanutthebunny]

I agree with hazel and dananm try the carrier it will probably help

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