New adopted bunny help

[CSoehnge]

So today I decided to get a new bunbun. I was looking for shelter bunnies and came up on a female 2 year old Holland lop that has been waiting for adoption for a while. After checking her out, I realized she was still there probably because she was terrified and liked to panic when trying to touch her. Anyways I got her home and she let me hold her while my husband got her stuff set up. looking at her adoption paperwork it looks like she has been in a few homes and was given up this last time because this ladies friend decided not to take care of her anymore so the friend brought her in. My questions are how long should I wait before trying anything with her (due to her being in a shelter and slightly neglected in the last home)? What are good bonding ideas since she is so jumpy and disconnected with people? Do you think it would help her to have a bunny friend versus just me? She was also just spayed so I don’t want to try anything crazy just yet. Any answers will help as I have never adopted a bunny that has been so scared and I don’t want to harm our relationship before it even begins. I also need to introduce her to grooming because she has some matting and very bad shedding right now.

No matter what, she has her forever home now so if that means I cant touch her that much I just want to keep her happy and healthy. Thanks for any answers or opinions you guys have. I just want to help her feel at home.

[Luna]

She’s a lucky bun to have found a new home! I would spend as much time with her as you can – ie. sitting in the room and talking to her, or even just laying next to her cage.

[Wynnie]

I would suggest interacting with her a lot, it sounds like maybe she was handled wrong in the past because as you said she has been in many homes. Don’t worry too much, just give her a lot of love and attention. And the occasional treat

[RubyTuesday]

I agree just try bond with her as much as possible, but try not to pick her up, and bonding might be beneficial in 10 to 18 months!

[CSoehnge]

So I opened her cage to let her come out and she ran right out was looking around but when she comes up to me and sniffs me she freaks out and runs. I was trying to give her some veggies from my hand to get use to me when she was in her cage and she became aggressive. I don’t want her to become really aggressive so anyone have any ideas on what I can do or any experiences that could help me. I’m scared ill never be able to come near her without her trying to attack me. I just don’t want her to be afraid her whole life. Thanks

[Krista]

There’s a video on YouTube from a man who rescues aggressive rabbits that you could check out named Moonlight Stride. I’m not sure how his training is viewed in the bunny world, though he appears to be the Cesar millan for rabbits. He demonstrates on an aggressive Netherland dwarf doe who was living in a ditch because her past family didn’t want her. I would say wear gloves around her for sure. (I only found the video because Bilbo decided to randomly try to take a chunk out of my hand back in December)

[CSoehnge]

thank you Krista for the video recommendation. I am going to let her have a little longer with healing after her spay and then I’m going to try.

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