My bunny is impossible to hold or to put on a jacket and leash to take for walks

[hummingbird]

Hi,

I wrote before about having trouble holding my bunny – well, it’s pretty much impossible.  He is 5 months old and we’ve had him for a month.  He has bonded with us and likes to be petted, though when it comes to holding him on our lap, picking him up (even when on the ground) or holding him in any way, it is impossible.  We can’t even do it – he is too fast and jumpy.  I had accepted that we may not be able to pick him up and we’ll just play on his terms.  However, now we are trying to put a harness and leash on him to take him for walks outside, and it is also impossible.  And my husband is great with bunnies and knows how to pick them up and has a firm grip, and yet he still can’t hold onto our bunny.  We weren’t trying to pick him up off the ground – just hold him still on our lap.  We are traumatized just from trying.  I have heard some people say that if your bunny hates to be picked up not to, because you’ll make your bunny hate you.  And some people say you have to pick your bunny up sometimes to get them used to it for when you need to.  We’ve worked so hard bonding with him and building his trust that I don’t want to ruin that, but we want him to be able to go outside, and we don’t have a yard, so we had hoped to take him on great walks and adventures out in nature with us.  I feel like he is too shy and scared for his own good (and for ours).  I also do understand that bunny’s don’t like to be held our restrained and that we shouldn’t put our projections of what a pet should be on them, and we should bond with them on their own terms.  Though I also feel like in any relationship there has to be some give and take (from both sides).  We also did get him to be a pet and have so much love and time to give him, we want him to at least meet us half way.
Any advice? 

Thanks!

[Eepster]

Some bunnies just won’t take a harness. It doesn’t sound like it would be all that safe for you to walk him anyway if you can’t pick him up and carry him as necessary.

The bunny I had as a teen, Nibbles, would go for a hop on a leash with me. It was necessary to be able to pick him up while we were out and about. He bit though his leash a couple of times before I bought a metal chain one, and I had to pick him up and keep him secure unleashed. If there were dogs out walking, I would have to pick him up and carry him till we were away from them. When children asked if they could pet him, I needed to pick him up b/c he’d just freeze there after I said “I’m sorry he bites.” (We got some very strange looks since I told people he bit and had him on a metal chain, and he was just this cute little dutch bunny.)

[LBJ10]

Walking on a leash is generally not recommended. Considering how your bunny is (“too scared” as you described), then forcing him to be outside on a leash would be just asking for trouble. He could become spooked by something and try to bolt, hurting himself (in some cases, severely). My bunnies don’t go outside and they seem pretty content. Being out in nature isn’t a requirement. Plus to have to treat them more for fleas and whatnot if they are allowed outside.

I will say that it is sometimes good to get a bunny used to being picked up for certain things. My Leopold does not like to be picked up, but he will tolerate it now. We accomplished this by picking him up for short periods and offering him a treat. Some bunnies just refuse to be picked up and in some cases, the stress is just not worth it.

[hummingbird]

Yes, good point! That is sad though – we go out in nature all the time and had really hoped he could come with us. We thought he would enjoy it. It’s interesting though – he’s not really that scared of other animals, new people, sounds etc. He really just hates being picked up.

[LongEaredLions]

Most bunnies do hate being picked up-it is an instinct because they are prey animals.
Don’t worry, he is not missing out by not going outside. It is a shame that bunnies don’t enjoy things like this-but we have to remember they are not dogs, they are bunnies, and bunnies will be bunnies.

[hummingbird]

Thanks! Though I thought Holland lops were more people oriented? I know most bunnies don’t like to be picked up, but I’ve seen tons of pictures of bunnies that tolerate being held. Ours will jump right out of our arms – we can’t even hold him if we try.

[LBJ10]

Haha! Tell that to Leopold! He’s a Holland and he would very much prefer to do his own thing.

[LongEaredLions]

Most bunnies tend to have their own personalities, and don’t seem to follow the “breed stereotypes” that have been placed upon a particular breed.

[manic_muncher]

I’ve had Bumpy for a year now. He’s a 15 month old holland. I can tell you he DEFINITELY hates being picked up. He is extremely food-oriented and will come sit on the chair beside me and beg for pellets or a treat. Sometimes he just wants a few head strokes and he’ll tooth purr a few times, and then he’s done with me. Even with him going nuts for raisins, if I am holding him, he won’t take it from me. Just sits there, mad, and waiting to be put down so he can thump at me and run off flicking his feet. I don’t even try to pick him up now, or go to try and pet him when I feel like it, he’ll come to me when he wants to show me love. I sit from afar and watch him do his thing, play with the dogs, groom, lay beside the other rabbit’s cages, and wistfully dream of hugging and cuddling with him.

[Sindri]

Both of my rabbits hate being picked up and I learned a trick from my vet on how I can pick them up when I need to. I just throw a towel over them and pick them up that way. I am glad I learned this being I am bonding and it was making it terribly hard to get them when it was time for bonding. We use this method when cutting Usagi’s nails and it really calms him.

[hummingbird]

Haha, yes, so true. Though I would like my next rabbit to be a therapy rabbit. I’m wondering if it’s best to get an older (6 months?) bunny I know is friendly, or to get a baby bunny and hold them all the time to get them used to people. Or does a bunny’s personality as a baby not reflect its personality as an adult?

[LBJ10]

How a bunny is as a baby says nothing about how they will be as an adult. If you’re looking for a therapy rabbit, I would recommend looking for an adult (over 1 year) that is spayed/neutered at a shelter. Their personality will be pretty well known.

[litheandgraphic]

I concur. It’s the same with people, right? You have no idea how they’ll be once they’re grown up a bit more. Also, if you’re looking for a therapy rabbit, I would definitely suggest getting an adult (8 mos +), and one that is spayed / neutered already. This way, you’ll get a better idea of what that bunny’s personality will be like before you adopt or buy — and I highly recommend adopting, not just because you will be saving a bunny, but also because the shelter can inform you better about that rabbit’s personality and history. Good luck!

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