Marley is an attack rabbit!

[Amys Animals]

Soooo I know this is probably a normal thing, especially in a dwarf bun, but I have never experienced a bunny do this to me.  I was petting Marley in his condo and then I tried to pick him up (I know you shouldn’t pick up buns but I wanted to take him somewhere) and he lunged and tried to bite me.  He ALMOST got me but I was faster than him.  I guess he didn’t want me messing with him.  Poor Marley though he lunged so hard his front paws landed in the water bowl.  I left him alone after that.  I’ve only had Marley since yesterday afternoon.  Could he just be scared still?  (dumb question I know) Or is he just going to be a really territorial bunny?  Maybe he just doesn’t like being picked up?  Maybe it was dwarfitude?  lol  What do you guys think?  

I will let him be for a couple days.  I don’t want to stress him too much.  

[Monkeybun]

He’s probably a bit scared, being in a new place and all.

I don’t agree with the theory of not picking up bunnies ever. they need to get tolerant so that in emergencies, or for nail trims and such, they don’t fight you. I would say give him a treat when you pick him up to start with, so he learns it isnt a bad thing. Do short little holdings, only a few moments at a time, so it doesnt get too scary.

[Amys Animals]

Thanks! Yeah I am not saying I never pick up my bunnies, because I do. I have to. I don’t like to because I know it makes them nervous but gotta do what I gotta do. =) The woman who runs the adoptions at the rescue said it is really unlike Marley to have lunged and tried to hurt me but it’s likely he’s just scared. I kind of figured, I just wanted to be sure.

[jerseygirl]

I agree, it probably was a fear based reaction. It might even be something to do with when they move the rabbits at the shelter to clean their cages.

And yes, could also be to do with him being a dwarf. They just seem to panic more easily.

If he does this again, I’d actually make a point of standing there and petting him a little more before moving away. Or just standing there in non threatening way. If you leave immediately after he lunges or bites, he could very quickly learn to use the behaviour more often as he sees an immediedate desired result.

ETA: Another thing to be aware of is smell in your hands. Other pets or even Rascal and Valentines scent. It’s good to get him used to
theiir scent if course but he might react differently toward it coming into the condo where he could feel cornered.

[Sarita]

It is probably fear and he’s in sensory overload at a new place.

My Netherland, Bobby acts very much this way too – he’s friendly but he has his moments.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Sounds like my Olivia….4 years after I brought her home. I was just telling Ricky last night that Olivia would be great at foxy boxing. She loves pummeling her humans and she hit Bindi in the face through his condo yesterday.

But most likely, he’s not a Diva like her, he’s just still getting used to you and his new surroundings. And Dwarfs tend to be more high-stress.

[Amys Animals]

Thanks, yeah he’s adjusting better now. He let me touch him yesterday and actually let me pick him up to bring him to the other room, though when I brought him back to the bun room he tried to jump out of my arms…Good thing I had a good hold on him though…Scared me…

[Stickerbunny]

They take time to adjust, though the jumping out of your arms thing he might keep doing, both mine will if they sense my grip is slacking at all. I usually let em jump off my lap to get to the floor, to avoid injury.

[Amys Animals]

It was a pretty high spot and I was kind of in a corner so I did not want him jumping onto anything and hurting himself. Thanks! =)

[tanlover14]

Simber Bun does this too! Although, his foster families warned us and this was the reason they were going to euthanize him. I’m not sure but I think it makes him nervous although once you get him in your arms he’s a total lovebug. He cuddles and grooms me the whole darn time. But when I’m in his cage or I have his ball, boy will that boy growl and lunge and nip!!!

[Amys Animals]

Yeah Marley is okay now some of the time with me reaching into his cage and picking him up. He hasn’t tried lunging or nipping at me at all today. He’s an awesome little guy. He was going nuts today on the couch! lol But then he got scared so I had to take him somewhere quieter.

[BinkyBuster]

Whenever I need to lead Buster out of his cage I always give him a tiny bit of a treat as incentive. He doesn’t have a problem with me reaching in, but if someone came and randomly pulled me out of my home I would be freaked out too! I think it’s more of a startle thing and they don’t know how to react.

I have a roommate who gets SO excited and high energy when she gets to pet him. He’s NEVER bit me (nips at my pant legs when he wants attention, but only nips.) I think she was too high energy for him and he decided to bite her. I felt SO awful, but I think he just wasn’t comfortable with someone he didn’t know reaching into his cage.
I’m no rabbit pro, but I’d say he was probably just a little startled and didn’t know how to react. After all I hear they’re very territorial.

[Amys Animals]

Yes, rabbits are very territorial. I was just concerned because I have never come across this problem with any rabbit I have owned. =P The reason he reacted this way was, yes he was frightened, but always he was unsure of what was going on. He had been moved around A LOT in his time so being with me he’s unsure if he’s going to have to leave again. He’s not. He’s staying forever. =P He is warming up now though. Lets me pet him and actually comes up to the cage door now for pets. So hopefully he’s learning he won’t have to leave.

[BinkyBuster]

Aww poor guy! Glad he’s getting more used to you I think that’s partially the reason my bun and I have taken so long to bond too. It’s true how untrustworthy they are for the first bit. I was amazed! But I tell everyone that even though it takes a long time to earn their respect it’s a LOT more exciting once you earn it.

[Amys Animals]

Indeed! I totally agree. It may take time to earn his trust but I know once I do it will be so rewarding! =)

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