Is My Bunny an A$$hole?

[Jacki]

I got Bruce on the 31st of December, 2016. So i have had him for almost 6 months. Bruce has a personality, basically like a toddler who doesn’t get what he wants. 

1. He doesn’t let me pet/hold/brush him, even when i give him treats for not biting me when i do. 

2. He does what he wants, when he wants, and where he wants. I’ve tried clicker training him, and although he is litter trained, he does not like to listen to me OUTSIDE of the cage. I’ll correct him, and he’ll stop, but then he will start to do it again once i am “looking away”. 

I am a first time Bunny Mommy, so all off this is still pretty new to me. I’ve tried rewarding him with treats, but i want to know if this is just behavior that he is having cause he is still adapting to his new environment, or if he is just an arse$!&$. I can see that he could be a bit more stand-off-ish, because when i got him, he had ulcers on his eyes and sores on his body from “Trauma” from other small animals. (This is what  my vet thinks happened.)

I don’t know if this matters, but… Bruce is a small, 3 pound Lion’s Head (I think) rabbit. He eats all of the hay, veggies, and sometimes pellets i give him. He binks when he is roaming the room and enjoys knocking down water bottles, playing with jingle balls, and chewing on cardboard, as well as licking the bottom of my curtains (He’s a little special).

Thanks for the information you can give in advance!

Jacki and Bruce Wayne

[jerseygirl]

He sounds like a normal rabbit to me.

[sarahthegemini]

Not wanting to be pet or held does not make him an a******e  Most rabbits don’t like being held. You need to respect this. As for being pet, it might just be something he doesn’t enjoy. Although I had my little Peanut for months before he started to enjoy being pet. Neither of mine like being brushed. 

Bunnies are very independent. They tend to be similar to cats in that way. They do what they want, when they want. It’s normal. 

[Mikey]

Normal. Bunnies like to be held and pet, only on their terms. Bunnies need to chew and dig, which can destroy things. If his toys arnt keeping up his destruction need, you need to find new toys and learn how to bunny proof. If hes eating things he shouldnt eat, clean better/remove that thing from his area. Knocking things down is pretty normal, too. All very normal and very common bunny things. You cant train a rabbit not to be a rabbit

[Jellie]

It’s confusing when you see all these pics online that show people who have cuddly bunnys who like to be held. But most bunnies don’t like that. You have to earn their trust and it takes time and commitment.

If your bun is un-neutered, that will also cause some behavioral issues that will continue to get worse if he remains unaltered. My boy is barely 5 months and he just started getting REALLY hormonal. I’m calling to set up his neuter today.

Keep coming back and reading posts, asking questions. You’ll learn a ton here, and once you learn how to earn your buns respect you’ll be amazed at how loving they can be.

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Neither option! I’m sorry to say, but I fear that your inexperience makes you expect the wrong things from a rabbit. This is perfectly natural behaviour for a young and unaltered rabbit.

Most people expect a sedate cuddly fuzzball when they’re getting a rabbit, and experienced rabbit owners can’t disagree more with that image. Rabbits are often dumped or abandoned because the wrong image is portrayed in the media. It gets even worse when they’re bought for young children: rabbits are willful and strong-minded creatures which have strong prey instincts. They will bite and scratch when handled in the wrong way. They hate being picked up or held tightly, or doing anything against their plan for that matter. The best advice in this case would be: neuter him, respect his wishes and his daily schedule, and let him come to you when he wants to. Also: read up on rabbit behaviour and I’m sure you’ll be better buddies within several months!

[Jacki]

Perfect! thank you all. I know i’m not the greatest bunny mom yet, but i’m trying to understand his behavior.

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