Just neutered… still hates husband :(

[brittthebunmom]

So Mr. George Fluffington is a Mini Rex/Lion head mix. He is just precious. His first birthday was on Sunday. So for his birthday we got him neutered (nice gift huh). He loves our dog, he snuggles me, but he HATES my husband. My husband WANTS to love him, but George just doesn’t give him a chance.

I was constantly getting sprayed, and humped, he bites my husband and grunts incessantly at him etc etc. So we finally got him into the Vet for a neuter last week. They said it could take up to a month for the hormones to change. I have noticed some changes already. He use to spray me (alot…and at least 3 times a day) I have only been sprayed twice this week and he missed! (yay) he still humps, but its not as aggressive when he trys to hold on to my hand, he still chins me all the time, which is adorable. However,  we thought that things were better when we brought him home, because my husband could touch him etc (it was clearly the pain meds, because that’s no longer the case). I am just hoping SOMETHING will change in the next month. 

Could this still be a territorial thing, or could my bunny really just NEVER like my husband?

 Please note, we have had bunnies before, and they snuggled and loved my husband, so hes so sad about this. I am just wondering if anyone else has had this problem, and if you had your adult bunny neutered, how long did it take for you to see behavioral changes? Does anyone have any advice to help with him bonding with my husband? Nothing seems to make George happier than my husband leaving the room so he can have the place to himself lol! 

-Worried Bun Mom-

I appreciate any and all feedback 

[kurottabun]

He’s cute!

Perhaps you should wait for his hormones to die down and then attempt bonding. Does he have any favourite treats? You could get your husband to feed him treats so he associates him with nice stuff. Food is such a huge motivation for most bunnies!

[Wick & Fable]

I think it’s more so just persistence. A rabbit may bond very strongly with one individual, and because of that, not really want to dedicate time to grow with another. This is a very similar situation with Wick, myself, and his other parent.

Wick is pretty non-tolerant of his other parent. He doesn’t let him pet him very long, he really only goes to him for food rather than affection, and generally isn’t relaxed around him.

It’s something that just gets nudges of improvement over time. I’ve found Wick’s other parent just needs to interact with Wick differently than I do to get a good relationship. Wick doesn’t want a cuddle-relationship with his other parent, and that’s something we’ve just grown to accept, because forcing it on or trying to build to that always damaged the progress made.

Wick was a royal jerk to his other parent for about 2-3mo after his neuter. It was a very straining time for the relationship….

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.

[Vienna Blue in France]

My neuteured boy took 2-3months to change too….

Maybe your hubby has different odor?? Deo. Aftershave. Soap. Anything. Bunnies have extreeeeeemely good noses.
Does hubby touch anything (other animal, foodstuffs ….) before petting bunny ?

Try all options to rule out GF’s dislike of him.

Rub your hands on hubby’s hands before he pets him.

Try to get only hubby to feed him… he’ll start associating food to hubby….

Don’t push. Go slow.

[Whiskers]

You have some very good advice. When our bunny came into the house, I sat on the floor in front of the cage and talked to him for a long time. Would leave the room and every time I went past I would stop in to talk to him. Maybe if hubby just reads out loud to him while sitting on the floor the bunny will come over to him in time. Bunny won’t feel so scared as hubby isn’t trying to hard.

I think sometimes we over try because we love our bunnies and we forget that they have fears. So we need to slow down and get on bunny level and do our own thing as we impatiently waiting for our bunnies to come for snuggles.

I think it could be hormones, tell hubby to be patient it will get better.

[LBJ10]

This was just this last Sunday? If it hasn’t even been a week yet, then I would give it more time. Some bunnies take 6-8 weeks before their craze comes to an end. Prepare yourself for the possibility that his behavior may get worse before it gets better. I remember way back when Wooly was neutered. He was so naughty afterward! LOL

Once he has calmed down, I do like the suggestions given above. If he likes a particular treat, perhaps your husband should be the only one who gives that to him. Or you could make it a routine for your husband to feed him. Of course, this could all backfire and your husband could end up being classified as only good for food and naners. I often joke and say that’s all I’m good for. I’m the one who feeds them and gives them treats, but I’m also the bad person who gives them medicine, grooms them, and clips their nails. So they absolutely adore my husband. I guess you need to make sure your husband doesn’t do bad things to them.

[brittthebunmom]

Thank you all for the support and suggestions, I DO hope in time it gets better, and I know I have to wait for the hormones to level out, but these tips are great things to try out to help the struggle.

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