My bunnies fear me?

[millieandmarley]

I got Millie and Marley (pair of bonded Netherland Dwarf bunnies) about 2 or 3 weeks ago now. I brought them home and have got them a big hutch indoors with two floors. I gave them space for the first week and have been sitting with them when I get home from work, scattering treats near me for them to feel encouraged to come up to me. Marley lets me stroke him on the head for 20 seconds ish. All seemed to be going well like they may be getting used to me but the last two or three days I open their hutch door for them to come explore and the COWER in the corner from me! I try to stroke and get quick foot scratches from Marley, whereas Millie is much more nervous and refuses to come out of her hidey hole whenever I am in the same room! I wouldn’t dare try to pick them up now I don’t want to ruin our relationship further. Any ideas on why they may be scared of me? What can I do to make my two little dwarf bunnies feel comfortable around me??

[bsaramber]

Rabbits are prey animals, their natural instinct is to be cautious. Having them only for two – three weeks really isn’t enough time for them to be truly comfortable with you. Each rabbit is just like a human, their personalities are all different, some get comfortable as soon as you touch them, others not so much and require time. Your best option to get them used to you is to speak to them as much as possible and also sit on the floor when you are there, Zero hates new people who stand – up, they look scary. Tone is also everything, soft and sweet. Try a series of treats also and narrow it down to which ones each of them like best, this builds trust. They realize ” hey that hand = treats!” && will soon be eager to see you, then you can build a bond. Rabbits are solely dependent on companionship with their owner, they are social animals and will come around. Just takes time. Good Luck!

ZZ

[A Happy Herd of Hares]

Does anyone else live with you? I just wonder if someone maybe touched a nerve while you weren’t home? What you may try is wrapping them in a blankety and give them treats, then hold them in the blanket while you watch TV or read or whatever you do later in the evening when you finish work.

[Asriel and Bombur]

Please do not burrito them and hold them. If they are fearful, picking them up and holding them is only going to make them fear you even more. As Binkui suggested, the best way to get their trust is by sitting on the floor with them, ignore them by watching tv or reading a book, let them come to you and explore you. Don’t try to immediately pet, but ask to pet them by extending your hand out palm down, if they bow their heads you can start by a few pets and gradually increasing as they get comfortable. Hand feed them their pellets, treats, and greens. Just basically making them as safe as possible. As bunnies are prey animals it can take months or years to get some of them to open up and trust. I’ve had my boys for a year and a half and Az still isn’t a fan of being touched, except at night snuggled in bed with us.

[Hazel]

Yep, sitting on the floor and ignoring them is the best way. Also, if you do try to pet them, don’t keep petting until they decide to run. You gotta stop before they reach their “limit”, otherwise they’ll keep associating you touching them with running away. Over time you can pet them for longer, but if they bolt, you know you’ve overdone it.

[Alisha]

So my situation is a bit different from yours since my rabbit is technically free roam but she trusts me to the point of hopping onto my stomach for cuddles and sitting in my lap when I’m on the computer or watching tv or something. She’s very affectionate and has a lot of confidence in me and I think the reason I’m so lucky is due to the extremes I went to. I had full intent on having a free roam rabbit since before I even got her so the second I got her (she was only like 5 weeks old which really helps with bonding but she was probably technically too young to go home with me. Just happened that way when I was searching for one) I put her in an x-pen type enclosure and hung out with her in it. I ended up turning a corner of my room into a large enclosure that included a twin sized air mattress (I had just moved in and had not had my real mattress brought to my place yet..that took a while) and I slept in that enclosure with her. I didn’t force myself on her but let her get used to my presence. Gave her a litter box and food and water bowls and blankets etc in the corner with us and I actually work from home so I had my computer (bunny proofed so she couldn’t access any wires) on a tote on the floor that I sat at while I worked all day. She became really used to me and I eventually started waking up in the middle of the night to her sitting on my chest or back haha I think what people don’t realize is it takes time and it’s especially hard if you have school or work and have to leave for hours on end. I was with my rabbit constantly for weeks and weeks without ever really leaving the house except to go shopping. We shared a space and she basically sees me as her mom now. I’ve had her for about 7 months now I think.

Just be patient and also consistent. Try to keep surprises at a minimum and be respectful of their space, let them come to you. Try to find times to sit down in an area they can roam in and watch some low volume tv or read or text. You might need to do this for a while without trying to pet them.

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