My Paradoxical Rabbit

[KweenElmer]

 Hey guys, long time no see.  Life being the crazy and all.  But I thought I would return with a bit of a puzzle for you more experty people than I.

My Puck is fearless.  For an animal that in another situation may be lunch, maybe too fearless.  Dogs, people, noises, plastic bags, and vacuums alike do not phase this guy.  However when he sees me, he turns and runs for the hills.  Awkward.

After I got him, we quickly warmed up to each other.  It meant I spent a lot of time laying face down on the floor, of course, but it paid off and any time we crossed paths he happily let me lean down for a pat. And for a rabbit, he was very patient with me holding him.  But in the last 2 weeks or so, it’s like I’m wielding a dinner fork or something.

It’s been like this:  My mother was visiting, so he followed her up and down the stairs, into the bathroom, into the bedroom, etc.  But when I walk in the room, he immediately bolts for it.  He won’t even binky in my presence.   He lets me pet him while he’s in his cage, and even when I put him back for the night, he still turns around expecting his daily raisin.  So I know he knows that I’m not evil.  And yet…

My best guess is because I am the enforcer.    When it’s cage time, I’m the one who has to round him up because my girlfriend is scared of him (of all things).  And recently he has gotten very territorial about the couch, so I can’t let him on it until he’s nuetered.  But on the other hand, I am the one who feeds him everyday.

I can’t go on like this.  I want my cuddle bunny back.  Do you think it will be better after I desex him?  Or will I have to do more? 

[KatnipCrzy]

I think that spaying/neutering Puck will help- it sounds like there is a mental battle for head of household going on.  Bunnies are smart and it sounds like you vs. bunny.

I also think that maturing even after the spaying/neutering will help too.  Once bunnies are past the baby/teenage stage many bunnies often seem happy to settle into a schedule/routine.

I would try getting him back into his cage with treats- rattle the bag and when he hops in he gets a treat.  Also for a while make Puck EARN all treats- he doesn’t get a treat unless he comes up to you, lets you pet him, lets you approach, etc.  Make him associate the awarding of treats (soemthing he likes) with the behaviors (positive attention) that you like.  You can even cut the raisins into smaller pieces- bunnies are smart- but they are more likely to associate positive with more treats rather than larger treats.  If your girlfriend gives treats a lot- have her cut back to make sure Puck is not getting too many.

I raised one bunny from a youngling- and she seemed to go thru a “teenager” stage where she wanted to do what she wanted to do, was territorial and seemed like a human teenager who thought she ruled the world and what she said goes.  But she has matured out of that a lot- I think spaying helped trememdously, but I think it still took her a few months after to mature mentally and mellow a bit.  Now she is smart without being so defiant- she does not seem as quick to resort to naughty behavior to get attention, she seems to enjoy being found “thinking” about doing something naughty without actually completing the naughty behavior. (Sneaking upstairs, moving barriers, etc)

[KweenElmer]

His big surgery is today, so fingers crossed.

Yesterday we tried to have some bonding time. Everything has calmed down a bit since my mother has left. 2 less people in the house and all.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Oh let us know how the big ‘snip’ goes!! {{VIBES}}

[KweenElmer]

I’m a bit nervous about it. But it’s just mommy jitters I think.

[Author]

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