Holding/picking up bun

[Cloversmom]

Hello! Another newbie mom question for you all. From my research I understand that most buns do not like to be picked up. I completely understand why so am not picking up or holding bun. It’s working out really well and she freely approaches me and interacts with me which I love. Honestly affection from animals on their terms is way more flattering than me picking them up and forcing them to be held. So that’s where I stand on the holding issue. Here’s my question. Last night clover aka Houdini escaped her play area (her play area is pretty small right now. Maybe 1/3 of the living area plus her 2 ft x 4 ft pen because she’s only been home a few days. She’s not ok with this and is constantly looking for a way out haha.) and I tried to “herd” her back in which wasn’t working because she couldn’t figure out how to get back in the same way she got out so I picked her up to put her back in and she squirmed quite a bit and didn’t like it at all. How Can I help her tolerate being picked up more so she’s not so distressed when it has to be done for necessary reasons (like going to the vet, trimming nails etc)? Any advice on this particular subject would be greatly appreciated! Much love from clover and mom!

[Wick & Fable]

I suggest integrating small hand movements and grips to get her habituated to it. While interacting with her, slide your hand under her belly so she gets used to the sensation. If she doesn’t mind that, pick her up a few centimeters off the ground and put her down gently. If it’s a time where she just jumps out of your hand at the sensation, don’t force it and just re-visit later. Repeated attempts in rapid succession can freak a rabbit out very easily.

The two most important items for pick-up training is: 1) making sure you always dictate when they hit the ground and 2) making sure it’s associated positively.

1) If your rabbit is flailing to escape, when you put them down, I’d pet them gently and in place, as an indication of a safe landing. When Wick seems less than happy with being picked up and scurries out when he sees the ground, the go to phrase is “You know I always put you down safely!”. Make sure you adhere to that phrase, because if a rabbit associates being put down with “I can only get down if I flail and jump out”, that’s bad. You want the rabbit to associate you as the dictator of safe landing; not the rabbit.

2) If you do have a bad pick-up set, or even a really good one, I’d just give you rabbit a pet of reassurance afterwards, letting them know they did well.

I will add the caveat that I’m not too experienced with getting a hesitant rabbit comfortable with being picked up. As compared to other BB members, I’m definitely in the minority with handling their rabbit. I pick Wick up all the time.

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.

[Cloversmom]

Thanks for the tips! That’s when she flails the most is when I’m about to put her down. I was told she was picked up a lot before I got her but I don’t think it was done in a very positive way so I want to turn it around.

[Wick & Fable]

Yeah, in the beginning when Wick would begin to flail before being put down, I’d hold him and wait for him to calm down before placing him on the ground, or get him on the ground and give him some pets so he calms down. Again, trying to let him know I’ll always make sure it’s a safe landing. Now he just waits until my hand hits the floor and he walks out of my arm.

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.

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