Increasing handling tolerance- on the right track?

[foxtailskies]

Just looking for some opinions on how to teach and adolescent male bun to be polite I adopted a 6 month old Lionhead a few weeks ago, my third house rabbit but my first young one (<1yr). He's an absolute sweetheart for most things- LOVES head rubs, likes to come up to you when he's out, etc- but he flails wildly when picked up. WILDLY. Now, I don't expect any of my rabbits to be "lap bunnies" but I do expect them to tolerate occasional handling for things like nail clipping, brushing (especially since he's got such long hair!) and medical treatment if needed. I'm so far assuming that his behavior is due to lack of previous handling (former home was very busy according to shelter paperwork) and age, so in order to make some positive handling experiences I've been trying to pick him up once or twice a day, and give him a raisin each time before putting him down. I also try to only let him go when he's sitting quietly (for safety as much as manners, though we are only doing this on the floor for now). Think this is a good approach? It seemed to be working somewhat, but he did have a bout of mild diarrhea that's being treated with some apparently icky medication, and having to pick him up to drug him has not really helped things. We've since worked out a way to medicate him "hands off" for the few more days he needs it, but I'm still wondering if I'm taking the right track. Thoughts? Tips? Any other strategies tried? Thanks!

[mrmac]

Make sure you keep his feet secure and against you so he will feel safer. Holding him and waiting till he is clamed down is good, I would then give a treat after each picking up or while he is calmly sitting, to associate being picked up/held with getting a treat and attention. Make sure you pick him up securely too to avoid injuring himself by flailing so violently. It is all about repitition.

[Michelle&Lolli]

How are you picking him up? Are you making sure you securely hold his bottom? I have to do this with Lolli. She hates being picked up and doesn’t fight me as long as I securely hold her.

Since he doesn’t like being held (and most bunnies don’t) maybe you should just back off with the holding. I only pick up Lolli every week or two when I need to check her over. Ok, she’s a mini rex and feels like velvet and it KILLS me that she doesn’t like being petted, so sometimes I’ll pick her up to snuggle. She does end up liking this as long as this is all I do with her – snuggle with her on the couch. lol Over time, she has quit fighting me so much in general cause she knows the routine. I pick her up, check her over, clip nails if needed (or try to), snuggle with her for a few minutes, then let her go. Then she gets a treat. She was very difficult to hold when she was younger though. If I remember correctly, I think I pretty much gave up for the most part. LOL

Others will probably have better advice or techniques. Lolli’s not one for touching in general, so aside from needing to pick her up to check her over, clip nails, give medication or my need to snuggle, I generally respect her wishes.

[bunnymum16]

somebody needs to teach me too.Chase hates getting picked up.he’ll thump so loud and won’t forgive you for awhile.

[jerseygirl]

It sounds like a good approach. I have one thats not so good with being picked up. At 3 yrs old I don’t know if regular sessions with him would help but with your young one I think it’s worth it. I’m finding mine is better once I have him now. He kinda knows what to expect and is less petrifried. He’ll still sometimes thump afterwards but I am seeing that his is less wary of me.  I try to project a no nonsense vibe too. But I still have to snatch him up fast to even be able to hold him which I hate to do. Once he’s secured against my chest he’s better. With your adolencent one you may be dealing with some dominance from him while holding him.

[foxtailskies]

bunbuns1- I do try to secure his hind feet as best I can, but it’s actually the initial contact/lift off the ground that he’s the worst for, before I can get to those feet. Once I have him on my lap he’s *usually* calmer. I might even try giving him a piece of raisin before I pick him up to distract him?

I have basically given up on regularly handling my other bunny, who is older and who likely had worse life experiences before getting to me (all my buns are rescues)- I’m just hoping Nutter (the baby) is young enough that I can make a difference. I tried a few pickups like this with Riesling (the 2 year old) to see if I could get her more used to handling, and I’m pretty sure it actually made her more afraid So, in her case, the occasional rodeo might be less stressful than conditioning, at least for now. We’re back to treats-for-being-social now instead, where she has to at least come over to me and put her paws on my knee to get anything. I have only had her since January though, and she lost her bunny companion unexpectedly in April, so the poor thing has had a rough time Maybe she’ll like me better in a few months when she has a bunny friend again… (the 6 month old was adopted as her potential new friend)

[jerseygirl]

You might find this method beneficial… I sometimes herd Rumball into the litterbox/basket/box, whatever’s handy. Then carry him in that to the top of the washer lift him out from there. He won’t try run from there and there is less space from them to your chest. You can pretty much gather them in and turn them into a more secure position.

[Ali925]

Just be careful with carrying him in a box/basket, etc… My boy has NO fear (except of being touched haha) and nearly jumped out of the box when I used this method… He was pretty young at the time, maybe he’d be better about it now, but I had a close call with that one. I lowered him to the ground safely just in time, but boy did he freak me out! So haven’t used that since…

I would say it’s definitely a good alternative to picking up, but just make sure you keep him close to you while in the box. Or secure him more tightly with a towel/blanket once in the box. Or maybe he’s not as much as a daredevil as mine was… I struggle with the handling too.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Biggest tip is to be patient and not push too hard.

Think holding him only so long as he won’t thrash. Like if he thrashes at 3 seconds-hold him for 1.5. Don’t hold him until he thrashes and try to calm him. The key is to work under his threshhold. (Thrashold ).

I’d start even by leaning down and holding him-cupping him with your hands on the ground-just holding him still wthout picking him up.

Because holding a bunny is two parts scary 1) being held *still* 2) being held in the air. So work on one-holding still first. Then graduate to in your lap, then on your chest, then being carried.

Again-work in his comfort zone. IF he tenses up-put him down. Don’t let him freak out. He needs to get used to things AND learn to trust you
Treats aren’t always necessary-nose or ear rubs work great too

Give yourself a timeline of about 6-8 months for the bunny to be comfy being held-it is a process Give him days off too

[foxtailskies]

Update! Nutter is getting MUCH better now that he doesn’t need his medicine any more… I’ve put him on a schedule where the first thing we do every morning is have “pick up time”. He still skitters away if he’s not in a good position to be picked up, but once I get my hands on him he’s been WORLDS better, and is even looking for that raisin as soon as I get him up to my chest! Once we’re doing morning pickups really well I’ll probably add evening pickups too, so that he doesn’t think being handled is just a morning thing that we have to do in order to get breakfast Overall he’s learning quickly and is becoming a delightful bun!

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