Mean Huey

[Heather]

I got my rabbit about two months ago from a pet store, he was 3 months when I got him and I had him for about a month before he started to get agressive. I have always let him pretty much have free regin of my house when I let him out, I keep the un-bun friendly things put up. But he began oinking and boxing me anytime I got near his cage. I had him fixed and thought it would go away, took about a month and it’s back. He’s meaner then ever though, he is charging at mine and my fiance’s feet when he’s out and oinking and biteing anything in his way. I love him and think he spoiled rotten I can’t imagen why he would be so mean. Can someone please tell me how to tame my bunny rabbit!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

First thing: AWESOME that you got him fixed. Alot of first time bunny owners don’t know how important that is *pats on back*

Second, phone your vet and ask them to confirm that both testicles were sucessfully removed; It’s quite common that one or both can’t be found and for some reason they don’t communicate it to you. So first, phone the vet and get confirmation.

Third; Does your bunny have enough toys and things to chew? If he can’t get his frustration and energy out chewing, I’d think that would excabberate things.

[Floppy]

Off topic: haha is that a lionhead? When I thought Toki was a boy, I thought about naming her Mohawk!

[Heather]

yes, he’s a lion head, and has a lion’s confidence too. He doesn’t have a big full man like i’ve seen on some just the mohawk and really thick fuzzy cheeks, i  love how cute he is.

[Beka27]

so he was neutered at about four months? from what i’ve been reading adolescence in bunnies is an entirely different thing than puberty which is of course hormone related. adolescence can last from now until about a year old. you may see some aggression and territorial behavior in this time. hopefully as he gets older he will begin to mellow out, but be aware that he might not or he may always have a rambunctious side of him.

here are some HRS links that might shed some light…

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

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-12/tools-of-the-trade.html

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-3/age-related-behavior.html

[Deleted User]

I have a mean Luey … maybe they are related … I can so sympathise with you … give him time as its early days yet and I hope he settles down as Huey is still young.

I have had my mean bun for 12 months … he is now 3 (he was a rescue bun) … many a times I have threatened to put him in the pot but I love him dearly … maybe you could sit on the floor and go down to his level and let him come to you to explore … best to ignore him and let him make the first move … this is good practice and with time he will come to you as they are very curious creatures.  I am unsure whether you bun is interactive with you yet but this is a good start to gain trust with Huey.

Just watch your hands as they are quick … and many a times I have been caught off guard with Luey and copped some chomps (not to mention on my rear end too LOL).  Slow movements and lots of time spent with Huey will help and hopefully his aggression with improve.  Some bunnies are just sensitive and don’t wont much human interaction, but others are quite the opposite.  You will have to gauge what Huey likes and dislikes and that will come with spending time with him.

Huey is young so he will adjust and with time and patience will become a loving boy, whereas Luey is aggressive because he was neglected and abused … but he is special to me in every way!

Hope it all works out for you … HUGS

Dawn xx

 

 

[Heather]

Thank you all so muh for ideas and thoughts. I just wanted to add a couple things to see if anyone had anything additional that might be helpful. He is very curious about me and my fiance and he’ll do what I call “noseing” and sometimes he’ll nip at me when he does it and sometimes he wont lol, it doesn’t hurt and so I dont mind it. He will sometimes lay down and let you pet him other times not so much, I think he didn’t have a lot of human interaction before I got him home. I wanted to ask if there is a good way to start to get him to go into his pen when he’s out, I hate having to catch him and struggle to pick him up which he hates. Thanks agian everyone

[Deleted User]

You may have success just herding Huey in but I have tried this sometimes it works other times not … generally a treat works … if he hears the bag rummaging he may come for his treat.  Picking him up is not a good option.  Maybe you can also say the word ‘litterbox’ when herding him … he may associate this in time as going back to his area.

Sometimes I stand in Luey’s pen … he hates me in there and he will come over … then I quickly close the pen door.

 Dawn

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