keeping it tame holding it

[jsamansk]

Hi, I don’t know if this is right spot for this post.  I have a bunny 10 weeks old.  It isn’t skittish or anything but really doesnt care too much to be picked up (I know this is normal.)  I just want to know how often to pick it up.  It really does have to learn Im not gonna hurt it cause bunnies do have to be picked up.  Those rabbit breeders pick them up all the time to get them used to it, is this what I should do, even if it doesnt like it?  Its a male dutch mix, looks dutch but its grey markings (small.)

[Monkeybun]

I pick Monkey up every day. SHe hates it, but she needs to get used to it so I can do her monthly checks of her glands, teeth, nails, etc. She’s slowly getting better at it, I can even hold her on her back now for a couple minutes Just keep at it, a few minutes every day.

[Elrohwen]

I think you really have to go by the individual rabbit on how often to pick up. If you’re picking him up once per day and he’s starting to get nervous around you, not wanting you to touch him, etc I would back off for a week or two. If he lets you pick him up once a day and then is ok with you, I would continue to do that.

It’s helpful to use the same word every time you want to pick him up – he’ll come to associate this word with being picked up and will know that it’s coming. Some people also only pick up on a certain surface (a mat or blanket or something). This way the bunny can control if he comes on the mat and you’re not chasing him around. Both of these techniques will help him realize you’re not going to grab at him constantly

There’s definitely a fine line between desensitizing them to being picked up (which is necessary for nail trims and things) and having a bunny who thinks you’re going to snatch him up every time he comes near you. I still struggle with this with my bun! I tried to pick him up last weekend and he’s still a bit nervous around me if I’m sitting in a certain position or doing something specific – he has a long memory 😛

I also find that successful pick ups cause the least stress. If I pick him up, hold him securely, and put him down before he struggles, he’ll come right back for a treat. If I try to pick him up and he struggles and gets away, he’s much more likely to give me the stink eye for days afterwards.

[Monkeybun]

I always give Monkey a raisins after pickign her up if she was a good girl for it Maybe thats what is getting her better at it! lol

[Elrohwen]

Good point, MB! Treats are very helpful. I always give a piece of dried papaya after a successful pick up and hold. I think it helps Otto get past the trauma that I just put him through ::eye roll::

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

You have to makesure you pick them up properly-and that mean supporting all four legs-so they can’t kick and holding them firmly so they feel safe. Anyone who tells you to pick them up by the scruff or ears is wrong (I just want to point that out as you mentioned breeders rabbits getting used to it-and in my experience breeders pick the buns up by the scruff and the rabbits are terrified not tame )

So always pick up nicely firmly and gently and I put them right to my body immediately as additional support. Keep sessions short-end with treats, and freedom to play (Ie do not pick the bunny up when he’s been running around and then put in his cage-this is punishing) so that you are rewarding his cooperation It takes patience but they certainly do get used to it and some get to enjoy it

[jsamansk]

Okay, thank you…the vet picks them up by scruf of neck, well he did with my last bunny that has since passed on a while back.  It was a older rescue when I got it but she was very sweet. 

[Monkeybun]

Scruff of the neck is NOT GOOD. Rabbits have thin skin, picking them up by the scruff can tear it easily. Their mothers dont pick them up by their scruffs when they are babies, neither should anyone else!

[Sage Cat]

I would be very wary of a vet that picked up a bunny bu the scruff of the neck – they do not know bunnies at all!!!!!

I use to pick my 2 up every day – to get them use to it. Now, I pick them up twice a week. They get a nice brushing and a bunny massage to make it a pleasant experience. As soon as I put them down – they run away – then they run right back to me – they know they get a raisin!!!

[MarkBun]

Scruffing isn’t suggested because the rabbit could kick out and while dangling there, can snap its spine. With that being said though, one of my rabbits will only allow itself to be picked up by scruffing -but she’s the exception to the rule. The important thing is that you have to cradle the rabbit’s bum before you pick it up by the scruff and immediately pin it against your chest. I would suggest though using the correct way to pick up a rabbit as it is better for them overall.

There are some videos on youtube about picking up a rabbit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj1xJFyRj2Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdt0XKNlfRY

[bunnytowne]

thats how I trained Cotton.   I would say pick you up I am going to pick you up and repeat pick you up some then I would actually pick him up and give him a treat.   HE did great. 

Then he was getting his lip medicated for 4 months and started runnning away from me.   I just now got him back to his training.  It has been 2 months for him to get back to normal.

He did great the other day and today.   I also say what I am picking him up for.   Brushing   or lip  that way he may catch on to what to expect.

Ruby well… she was handled since birth and is very secure with being picked up.

[jsamansk]

I will have to try the tellling him what I am doing before doing it.   Sounds interesting, honestly never really thought rabbits were very smart, my daughter who is 14 laughs at me when I tell him “sit”…course I am just playing anyways.

[Elrohwen]

The only downside to BT’s method is if you have a bun who is very very anti-picking up, you’ll alert them in time to make a get-away 😛 It probably works for most buns though.

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