mean bunny

[Christen]

I need help and have been searching for someone to give me any kind of advice.  We were given a rabbit that is very mean.  The person who gave it was going to set it free in the woods and I couldn’t letb them do it.  He lunges and bites my husband when he feeds him and does the same with me.  I am am at a loss.  He doesn’t want to be touched and doesn’t like anyone.  Advice?  Please!

[LizzieKnittyBun]

oh dear…

How long has he been with you? It could be a matter of time… he’s been passed around and likely ill-treated, so it would make sense he sees humans as a threat. If he hasn’t been with you for long, then you may just need to give him some time to come to trust you.

It may take a while, but I imagine the reward will be great.

[LizzieKnittyBun]

I admire you for saving him : )

[sammyp]

 Hey there,

I can only offer a bit of advice from a personal viewpoint – I have one rescue bunny. Mine was found limping in the road with a broken leg and was naturally very leery of people when we first brought him home. He actually did bite me once just after we got him, because I ‘took liberties’ with his space –  unthinkingly cleaned his litter box with him still in the cage . That was a result of being too used to our other bunny being a total sweetie all the time. The point I’m rambling towards is:

Greyjoy is now a total honey. It has taken a while for us to completely earn his trust, but he has never bitten me again, and is very friendly now, loves giving kisses etc and bonded well to our other bun. It took about three months for him to totally relax and become settled, but he is great now. Your bunny may take more work/time, but just spend some time sitting in the room with him, talk to him, give him treats etc and let him come to you. It can take a while, but it will be worth it. I remember the first day Greyjoy actually ran up to me to be petted – it was a great feeling, and I think with some patience your bunny will be fine – just remember that humans made him mistrustful and he is scared/protecting himself. He doesn’t yet know that you are different!

 

[highway234]

i just googled “angry rabbits” and came up with this, some good tips…

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/aggression.html

the notion that she’s aggressive because she’s afraid, not because she dislikes you, seems key to bear in mind, it will help you have the patience to stick with him. if it’s really bad, i wonder if there are professionals out there who deal in helping neurotic rabbits.

[highway234]

i just googled “angry rabbits” and came up with this, some good tips…

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/aggression.html

the notion that she’s aggressive because she’s afraid, not because she dislikes you, seems key to bear in mind, it will help you have the patience to stick with him. if it’s really bad, i wonder if there are professionals out there who deal in helping neurotic rabbits.

[Beka27]

I’m assuming the rabbit is intact (has not been neutered). Some aggression can be remedied by neutering, but I’m also wondering if it’s possible he may be sick. I think either way, a vet visit would be a good idea first. After that, we can address other problems.

[Sarita]

Yes aggression is fear. I’ve had a few aggressive rabbits and I know it’s just fearfulness and distrust. It takes time to gain their trust – maybe a very long time and you have to adjust how you deal with them.

Sometimes speaking softly and letting them know you are going to pet them helps. My Pepe was very aggressive and it took awhile to get him to trust me. He actually was very social and enjoyed being petted – he still had aggressive tendencies but I dealt with it.

Another thing I would do is to get a good vet check up and make sure the aggression is due to pain.

[Christen]

Thank you so much for all the advice.  I won’t give up on him.  We named him Spice.  I know it will take time and I am willing to put that in. 

[LizzieKnittyBun]

That really warms my heart. He obviously needs affection and care, and trust will come with time.

Please keep us updated on how he’s doing!

[highway234]

don’t forget the importance of eye contact! sometimes if banjo seems cranky i just chill out and look at her, try to have a calm expression on my face. kinda a low-impact way of relating and breeding familiarity (though hopefully not contempt!) with an otherwise sullen and unapproachable rabbit.

[highway234]

posting pics so we can all go “aw shucks” over your cute little rage-bunny might be helpful too.

[jerseygirl]

Welcome to you and Spice. : )
I’m happy to hear you want to take the time for him.

The link highway234 posted is from the House Rabbit Society and offers some good tips.

If it’s mainly when you reach into his habitat it may be some cage aggression. i.e. He wants to protect his safe space. It’s better to respect that space and place food & water and do cleaning when he is out of the habitat or distracted.

I also recommend a thorough vet check. Last week a vet told me about a couple that were at their wits end with their rabbit. To the point they were considering euthanasia…
The vet, for her own piece of mind did another check for mites even though a test previously had not revealed them. Turns out the rabbit did have mites and after treatment, the problems were over. It’s was not the first time I’d heard of a link between mite infestation and aggression.

I’m also interested in your progress with Spice and hope you post an update sometime. Good luck!

[Christen]

Hello, thought I would give an update. Spice has been coming up to and rubbing his head on my hand when I come to feed and give fresh water. He doesn’t lunge at me or growl. I think it is the beginning of a friendship. I will post his pic too

[RabbitPam]

That’s excellent!
It’s important to post pix. We need them.

[anneNjoerule]

I’ve had some pretty poor experiences with both my girls in the beginning so I’ll just convey my knowledge to you…
First of all, The lunging and biting when you go to feed him is cage aggression and it has probably come about due to mistrust and past abuse. It may be obvious to you that you are giving him food, not taking it away but to him it seems the opposite and he is simply defending it. My girl was like this when I first rescued her. I solved it by only ever reaching into the front of the cage, never the back; wearing gloves for protection (this is a good trick because then when he lunges and bites and you don’t draw back, he’ll learn that it doesn’t work and that you are the dominate one); and, if possible giving him more space. Also, is he neutered? Taking away his sexual frustration may lead to a happier, healthier bun.
Okay. As for the taming process, you just have to be patient. Treat him nicely but don’t spoil him. Give him yummy things to eat and than back away. Make sure to take him out each day and speak softly to him. With my other girl I had to do this for 9 months before she started to come around. I just took her out each day (and believe me she kicked and scratched me plenty, wouldn’t come, and didn’t even look at me). The important part is just doing it anyway, even if it seems thankless, your just enforcing to him that you are not a bad person and nothing bad happens to him when he’s with you. He always ends up back in his house with food and water. It may take a while, but just be patient and go with your instincts.

Whoops! I didn’t see your most reason post. That’s great I’ll leave my post none the less just in case it does help you…

[Christen]

I ave tried posting pictures I have followed what the site told me to do but no pictures go up. I am still working on it. I don’t know what I am doing.

[jerseygirl]

I solved it by only ever reaching into the front of the cage, never the back; wearing gloves for protection (this is a good trick because then when he lunges and bites and you don’t draw back, he’ll learn that it doesn’t work and that you are the dominate one);

anneNjoerule makes a really good point here. The lunging and nipping could have intially been a fear reaction but is something they can learn to use as it gave them the desired result in the past. So while it is important to respect their likes and dislikes you also want to discourage aggression (obviously) when it is a learnt behaviour.

It’s good to hear you’re seeing results already!

I ave tried posting pictures I have followed what the site told me to do but no pictures go up. I am still working on it. I don’t know what I am doing

Are you attempting to put photos in your profile photo albums or into a post on the forums?

[Christen]

I posted pics

[Author]

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