Indoor bunnies and access

[Josie]

My 2 young bunnies have their own room set up with a wooden house, 2 litter trays, toys, carpeted area, water and food bowls. Their room is a utility room off our main kitchen/diner which they have full access of 24/7. When someone is home they also have access to the main living room and staircase to the upstairs. These areas are bunny proofed and we don’t generally have any problems with them chewing, biting or digging at furniture (although they like to lick the wooden furniture a lot! )

Much to my frustration, they LOVE our bedrooms, mine especially! They’ve only been in there a few times if someone has carelessly left a door open, I need to remind my son frequently to make sure his bedroom door is closed but he doesn’t mind the bunnies playing in his room. My bedroom though is not remotely bunny proof, I have various products plugged in, chargers for phones by my bed etc.

However, they express their displeasure at not being allowed access if I keep the doors closed. They refuse to move from the upstairs if I try and encourage them down and will thump their feet if I try and move them. I don’t like to pick them up as neither are keen on it so I usually encourage movement by placing my hands on their bottom end. They then stomp off in a huff and ignore my presence for a while after.

What can I do to make the bedrooms a less desirable place to play?! Or at least get them to think I’m the boss, not them?

[Lovemybunloaf1]

Have you tried luring them with their favorite treat/s and only letting them have them in one room besides theirs so they associate those areas as the good places to be?
Another thought is using their own tactics of disapproval when they try to head towards an “off limits” area. Communication works two ways. This would only work if they seek your approval but could help a lot if this is the case. For example- thump your foot when they go that way and give them the “bun butt” treatment as I like to call it ( lol ) and turn your back to them and pretend to groom yourself as if you aren’t interested in them – then give attention when they are playing in the allowed rooms.

[BunMom4Life]

Our bedroom become much less appealing when we switched to a baby gate so the bun could see in. She still wants in but not as obnoxiously

[Josie]

Posted By Lovemybunloaf1 on 8/06/2018 11:13 AM
Have you tried luring them with their favorite treat/s and only letting them have them in one room besides theirs so they associate those areas as the good places to be?
Another thought is using their own tactics of disapproval when they try to head towards an “off limits” area. Communication works two ways. This would only work if they seek your approval but could help a lot if this is the case. For example- thump your foot when they go that way and give them the “bun butt” treatment as I like to call it ( lol ) and turn your back to them and pretend to groom yourself as if you aren’t interested in them – then give attention when they are playing in the allowed rooms.

Yes, we give them treats in their room and the kitchen diner and coax them in for their treats. I like the idea of expressing communication though! Will definitely give that a try, thank you

[Josie]

BunMom4Life, my girl can jump over a baby gate! As small as she is, she has a big personality and abilities!

[Josie]

BunMom4Life, my girl can jump over a baby gate! As small as she is, she has a big personality and abilities!

[Author]

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