New bunny slave

[luvmyhunybuny]

Hi all~

First a little about my sweet bun. Tillie is a 10 1/2 week old black Lionhead. I am new to the bunny world (have 5 dogs and 3 guinea pigs) and I love having this sweet little fur ball in my world. She is not spayed yet, but will be when she is old enough. As of right now it is hard to describe her personality. She is still quite skittish and we are still working on the bonding (I need help with this! Suggestions are very welcome).

A little about me. I am married, 39 and have 2 kids (daughter 12 and son 9). I have volunteered in piggy rescue and dog rescue. Dogs are my heart, but I so are my piggies and now my bun. I have always wanted to own a bunny, and finally took the plunge. Like I stated about, Tillie is a very skittish bun. She seems to be coming around very slowly. I really want her to bond with me and looking for all the help I can get.

I look forward to getting to know all of you!

Erin

[jerseygirl]

Welcome to you and Tillie!

She is too cute! Good name choice, she looks like a Tillie.

This House Rabbit Society article has some tips about getting acquainted with your rabbit. http://www.rabbit.org/journal/4-3/new-home.html

One of the popular and most successful ways is using the “Floor Ignore” technique. So get down at their level and just do other things. Read a book, lie still listening to music etc. Then let your bunny approach you in their own time. Their curiousity gets the better of them. Try avoid reaching out and petting straight away when they approach. Just let them come and go until they feel safer.
Eventually you can start give head pets and nose rubs.

Members here (myself included) are picture crazed so more of Tillie and your other pets would be more then welcome!

[LoveChaCha]

Hi there and welcome

As for the skiddish personality, it is going to happen. Baby bunnies are very scared, but very cute! I had my bunny when she was 7 weeks old.. she was scared of me too Now, she is a year and a half, and a brat. She always thumps at me, nudges me for pets, gives kisses Their personalities take a while to shine, and when it does, you will be amazed by how much personality they have

[lashkay]

Welcome! I have two lionheads myself and understand your attraction to Tillie – she is really cute. The floor/ignore technique Jerseygirl went into really works, after a while, you can sit on the floor, or lie on it with treats in your hand – a little parsley or a few of her rabbit pellets to reward them for coming over and encourage the process. Tille is a cutie!

[Huckleberry]

Love that hair!!!!
Welcome! Tillie looks lovely!
Understanding what your bunny is saying to you is very helpful when trying to bond. Seeing things from her world helps you make good decisions about getting to know her (like understanding that things that are standing high above her make her nervous as if a hawk were going to swoop down to get her… until she knows and trusts you) Try reading this site http://language.rabbitspeak.com/
Good luck!!!!

[Monkeybun]

What a beauty! Don’t be alarmed if she vanishes one day… just don’t check my place. She won’t be in my living room. No siree.

*shifty eyes*

Ahem. Welcome to BB

[luvmyhunybuny]

Thanks everyone. I do lay in her penned in area quite a bit. Tonight she was very curious (I was laying on my tummy) and put her 2 front feet on my back and started “digging”. Of course I started laughing and she hopped back, came over to my face and looked at me as if to say “it really is NOT funny”. She likes to nip at my clothes as well. I assume this is normal? It is so hard to not reach over and love on her when she gets near me, I just want to pick her and squeeze the stuffins’ out of her! lol

Monkeybun, you crack me up! Actually I would love a road trip or Oregon … I imagine you are not sweltering in 100 degree heat like we are, ugh!

Lashkay, I am trying to resist the urge to get another Lionhead. I am so in love with Tillie! But with 5 dogs, 3 guineas and 2 gerbils (my daughters) my husband would have an heart attack if I bring another “critter” into our house. Geesh, men!!

I will post more pics tomorrow. I have A LOT! So, prepare yourselves!! hehe!

[Monkeybun]

100? Some days I wish. I think tomorrow will be the first day over 80 this summer. And thursday will be a high of … 65. Yes. 65. Oregon has had an unusually cool and wet summer so far. Sigh.

Young bunnies do tend to nip at things. Its how they learn what things are. My baby boy is slowly learning what is not okay to nibble on, like mama’s ankles and elbows… silly butt. So give her time, and she may slow down on the nips

[luvmyhunybuny]

Sorry, Monkeybun… that should have read “I imagine you are NOT sweltering in 100 degree heat like we are”. It is have been so hot lately, though not unusual for Texas, but definitely hotter sooner than normal. Oh 65 sounds heavenly! Funny, how we always want what we don’t/can’t have!

[Monkeybun]

Well, I wouldn’t want it at 100. 80 is good

[Author]

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