how can i get closer to my rabbit?

[roxy]

honestly this is the last straw of hope i have left, my female rabbit who i had for 3 years hates me i have had her for THREE whole years and she doesn’t like me my relationship with her when i first got her is better than it is now in the past when i first got her she would shyly come near and then run sometimes would even nudge her head at me when i’m doing random things like H.W or watching shows on my laptop but now she isn’t as playful when i put her out of the cage she will jump back in and you can tell she doesn’t like nor trust me when i feel her heartbeat when i’m near her its always pounding and sometimes her eyes have little white which means she’s super nervous and there are stuff or behaviors that never stopped ever since i got her like grunting at me when i pet her or jumping away when i put her on my lap or just grunting when i’m near her and running away although she always disliked me and never trusted me but i feel like she was happier when i first got her than she is now and i feel like our relationship went from meh to realllyyyyy bad she isn’t spayed but she will be soon and also a lot of the things she’s doing i don’t think will be fixed by simply spaying her because most of the time she’s feeling fear/nervousness not anger i love her with my whole heart but i feel extremely sad when i see other owners with their rabbits playing and stuff and i can’t even pet my rabbit without being scolded by her for doing so she is 3 years old almost 4 and tbh i don’t know what to do because i adopted her when she was 3/4 months old so i don’t think she was abused before i got her at least it didn’t seem like it and i never really hit her or anything so i don’t know why she acts like this

[Wick & Fable]

I think you need to bond using a passive approach, rather than active. She’s had a while to solidify the idea that when you’re around, you’re going to interfere with her personal space and she needs to put up with it because she’s so much smaller. I’d say literally ignore her, in the sense that you should just not interact with her when she’s roaming around. She needs to learn to trust your presence before trusting you as a person.

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.

[SuperBunnyto]

I agree with Wick. Unlike animals like dogs and cats, bunnies are prey animals and can be very nervous animals. Remember you are much bigger than your bunny. If you’re overly affectionate, you may be overwhelming her. It seems that what you need to do right now is build trust with her.

Ignoring her is a good way to get her attention. She’ll get curious and come to you, especially if you have toys or treats with you. If she does come to you, avoid petting her right away. Let her get comfortable and learn that she is safe with you. Keep in mind that, while you know you would never hurt her, to her you’re a giant that might be trying to eat her. She might be misinterpreting your attempts to bond with her as attacks or being hunted. One of my bunnies is really aloof and doesn’t like attention. I still feel confused every now and again by her aloofness, but that’s just who she is. What I do in those occasions is pour my affection/ attention into something else to avoid damaging my relationship with her.

Sometimes, bonding an aloof rabbit with another friendlier rabbit helps. However, keep in mind that bonding doesn’t always work, it is ver hard work, and you may end up with two aloof rabbits.

Finally, there are two excellent articles from the House Rabbit Society that helped me get some perspective and that may help you, as well:
– Life with an Aloof Rabbit by Amy Shapiro ( http://www.rabbit.org/journal/1/aloof.html )
– Honorary Rabbit by Amy Shapiro ( http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-8/h…abbit.html )

I still revisit these article every now and again.

Just have a little patience. In my experience, it can be very frustrating, but very rewarding in the end.

Best of luck to you!

[roxy]

Posted By SuperBunnyto on 10/21/2017 6:27 AM
I agree with Wick. Unlike animals like dogs and cats, bunnies are prey animals and can be very nervous animals. Remember you are much bigger than your bunny. If you’re overly affectionate, you may be overwhelming her. It seems that what you need to do right now is build trust with her.

Ignoring her is a good way to get her attention. She’ll get curious and come to you, especially if you have toys or treats with you. If she does come to you, avoid petting her right away. Let her get comfortable and learn that she is safe with you. Keep in mind that, while you know you would never hurt her, to her you’re a giant that might be trying to eat her. She might be misinterpreting your attempts to bond with her as attacks or being hunted. One of my bunnies is really aloof and doesn’t like attention. I still feel confused every now and again by her aloofness, but that’s just who she is. What I do in those occasions is pour my affection/ attention into something else to avoid damaging my relationship with her.

Sometimes, bonding an aloof rabbit with another friendlier rabbit helps. However, keep in mind that bonding doesn’t always work, it is ver hard work, and you may end up with two aloof rabbits.

Finally, there are two excellent articles from the House Rabbit Society that helped me get some perspective and that may help you, as well:
– Life with an Aloof Rabbit by Amy Shapiro ( http://www.rabbit.org/journal/1/aloof.html )
– Honorary Rabbit by Amy Shapiro ( http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-8/h…abbit.html )

I still revisit these article every now and again.

Just have a little patience. In my experience, it can be very frustrating, but very rewarding in the end.

Best of luck to you!

thank you so much i will make sure to use your advice and read the article !

[roxy]

thnak you i will make sure to use your advice and ignore her and i will also check out the article you linked !

[OverthinkingBun]

I would add that if you have any quiet activities/hobbies which you can do on the floor (you mentioned homework and your laptop?), you could try doing those on the floor in an area where your bunny can see you or hop over, but without forcing any interaction. That way you can wait quietly for her for hours without being threatening, and if it doesn’t pay off that day, at least you weren’t bored. She may get curious about what you are doing that way, and shouldn’t perceive you as a threat.

Good luck

[Author]

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