How do I convince her otherwise?

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Well Fern assosiates my going upstairs and saying hi to them in the middle of the day as an indicater that I am going to clip their nails or clean the bunny room.

I most of the time pay attention to them in the mornings and evenings because I have sports and scool and whatnot.

Fern does not allow me to pet her and shys away from me if I go say hi to them in the middle of the day or even if I go upstairs an couple hours early.

Well now I am trying to spend more time with the bunnies because I don’t have a sport this season, but whenever I go to give Fern pats she shys away from me (often flicking her feet).

Thistle is the same, he is not afraid at all (apart from the fact that he does not really enjoy being petted anytime)

Fern won’t even come out of her cage to recive food from me because that is how I lure them out when I have to clip their nails.

She just seems very suspicious of me during the day and if I come to say hi to them at an odd hour.

How do I teach Fern to trust me and that every time I go upstairs early I am not going to clip her nails?

[Monkeybun]

Time to ignore! Just sit in their area and ignore them when you go up on the off times, they’ll learn over time that you aren’t there to be a nuisance Read a book or something and don’t go to touch them for the first while It’s definitely worked with my Moosie.. he was always paranoid when I’d go sit near him, now he climbs all over me

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Lol thats the funny thing, Thistle is completely fine he is climbing on me looking for food, but Fern just sits in her cage and stares at me as if I am evil. But its weird because she is fine if I go upstairs at “normal” times.

[Sarita]

Well, you are changing the routine and she disapproves of this. This may also be her sleep time that you are disturbing. Some rabbits hate their routine changed and Fern must be one of them…makes them suspicious. Is this going to be a normal routine or will the routine change again? I think if you are going to change your schedule again, keep to your old routine.

[Elrohwen]

I could just be the time of day in general. Both of my bunnies act very offended if I try to give them physical attention mid-day. Spending more time with them using the ignore and treat techniques should help.

Did she used to enjoy mid-day attention?

[RabbitPam]

For some bunnies midday is like us being woken up at 3AM by someone who wants to play. Just not going to happen. And being dragged out of bed to get nails clipped —- Well!

Maybe put a few carrot slices in your hand when you go up, pop one in her cage, then stick around but ignore her. Be sure she can see your hands are empty of evil clippers, too. She may learn that your presence may mean good news as well as bad.

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Ok thanks guys I’ll go read my book in there, the only problem is that Thistle always chews the books one of my library books had a big bite taken out of it (luckily no words were ripped out!) Thistle is such a bad boy!

I’ll try to teach her that I am not there to clip her nails every time I go up early!

[BinkyBunny]

Nothing gets you back in good graces than a treat! Obviously you don’t want to overload with sugar, but each time you approach you may want to have a little tidbit of their favorite Noms. If they like sugary stuff like banana or craisens, you can still use those just cut them up since they can be so high in sugar. I can cut one up into tiny little pieces and have a bunch of little yummy “tastes” for them.

That way, they may begin to associate your presence with something sweet and forget about the once a month nail trims.

Good luck!

[Author]

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