How to become Top Bunny? Rabbit Hierarchy

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 7sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 6 months ago by senatcha93.

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- 09/14/2017 at 6:17 AM
  senatcha93
  Participant
  90 posts
  Bunny(neutered, 7 m) thinks he is top bunny and sees me as a subordinate. I definitely have my problems with that because he marks his territory, acts aggressive and licks objects around me. You can read up on this here(http://language.rabbitspeak.com/prove-that-you-love-me/). How can I restore this so that I’m the boss again?
- 09/14/2017 at 6:38 AM
  joea64
  Participant
  1423 posts
  It’s debatable – @sarahthegemini, among others, thinks that rabbit hierarchies don’t really apply to humans. There’s another conversation ongoing about hierarchy and humans right now, and this article posted in that thread might help clarify some things:
  
  http://www.bunnyhugga.com/a-to-z/rabbit-behaviour/rabbit-hierarchy.html
- 09/14/2017 at 6:59 AM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  Rabbits don’t see humans the same way they see other rabbits. I really don’t think it’s him trying to be dominant over you.
- 09/14/2017 at 7:32 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  I agree with Sarah. I don’t think they make the connection of dominance outside of their own species. How much time do you spend with him? I’ve noticed lately that Ophelia has a tendency to act out when she doesn’t get enough attention.
- 09/14/2017 at 8:09 AM
  joea64
  Participant
  1423 posts
  Posted By BunNoob on 9/14/2017 7:32 AM
  
  I agree with Sarah. I don’t think they make the connection of dominance outside of their own species. How much time do you spend with him? I’ve noticed lately that Ophelia has a tendency to act out when she doesn’t get enough attention.
  
  Panda can be exasperating sometimes that way – she can get importunate to the point of nipping about wanting attention, but then she’s all, “Don’t touch me!” (though she’s starting to get better about that). As I’ve noted previously, she seems to (still) like verbal attention better than being petted.
- 09/14/2017 at 8:26 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Posted By joea64 on 9/14/2017 8:09 AM
  
  Posted By BunNoob on 9/14/2017 7:32 AM
  
  I agree with Sarah. I don’t think they make the connection of dominance outside of their own species. How much time do you spend with him? I’ve noticed lately that Ophelia has a tendency to act out when she doesn’t get enough attention.
  
  Panda can be exasperating sometimes that way – she can get importunate to the point of nipping about wanting attention, but then she’s all, “Don’t touch me!” (though she’s starting to get better about that). As I’ve noted previously, she seems to (still) like verbal attention better than being petted.
  
  I think Ophelia is just a snuggle monster. She is definitely all about the physical cuddling. I didn’t realize that she wanted so much attention until lately. I mean, I used to give her a TON of attention but now it’s split between her and Quincy. I thought she was becoming aggressive and distant, but now I truly believe that she just wanted more attention. think it may be the reason her and Quincy have gotten along so well during bonding. She is content to let me pet her for hours…if only I had the time!
- 09/14/2017 at 9:33 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5834 posts
  Whether it’s a hierarchy or simply socializing, I think it’s important that, assuming the owner is still taking plenty good care of his/her rabbit, owners instill to their pet that the pet’s wishes won’t always be fulfilled, and the pet needs to learn to be okay with that. As Wick started getting separation anxiety from me and sassy-peeing when he wasn’t attended to, I had to start teaching him that there are times I can’t pet him and he needs to be okay with that. Now he gets the message and will just lounge somewhere or eat hay when he realizes I can’t play with him, rather than peeing somewhere or nipping at me. The same also applies to feeding treats and such. Wick rarely gets fed when he’s asking for it around the time when he should, or else he starts to think each time he asks, he should get it. I’ll feed him eventually within the hour, but during a period where he’s being independent and/or not asking for it.
  
  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.
- 09/15/2017 at 6:14 AM
  senatcha93
  Participant
  90 posts
  Actually I posted that article, but I wanted to shed more light on the topic because I think it didn’t really discuss the hierarchy between a single rabbit and a human.
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