Nipping–Please Help!

[silverwolf]

 I got my new rabbit Clover two weeks ago. She was 8 weeks when I got her, and I’m not sure what gender she is. She was kept with her littermates and parent in a hutch outside.

Anyway, the first week at our house was fine. She doesn’t struggle when picked up, doesn’t really kick. Sometimes she would even fall asleep on my lap! When I let her around our house she would binky around happily.

But sometime this week she began nipping me during lap time or when I’m carrying her. It wasn’t hard at first, I  could barely feel it. But recently she began to nip harder, and not just in lap time.

When I put her beside me in a small space she would tug on my cloths or when I give her some space to run she would come over and nip me. One day I put her on my lap and sat on the ground. She bit through my pants and it reached my skin. Now there’s a tiny red mark.

Most bunnies, when given lap time on the ground, would simply hop off. I wasn’t forcing her or anything—She could’ve easily hopped away. So why is she doing this? Is she mad at me for some reason? 

Is it possible to train her not to nip? If so, how?

[Tessie]

If you’ve only had her for two weeks then its quitepossible she’s still nervous and unsure of you. We have to remember that you must seem huge to her, give her time to get used to you maybe. You might also consider that it’s possible that she’s trying to get your attention or make you move – I suggest pay attention to when she does it and see if you can work out why she might be doing it!

As for trying to ‘train’ her to stop, if she is nipping you as a fear response then you can’t really make her stop. But if there’s some other issue to blame, then you might try making a squeak or squeal when she does it – this will let her know that she’s hurting you. I know lots of people report success with this method! good luck

[bpash89]

Nipping is a way of communicating for bunnies. Like Tessie said, make a loud noise when she does it to let her know it is not acceptable behavior but also do pay attention to when she does it and try to understand why. Bunnies are very smart so after some time she should begin to understand that you don’t like it when she bites you and she will try a different way to communicate with you instead.

Sometimes a nip is just a “i’m a toddler bunny and I must taste everything” and that stage will pass but sometimes it’s more of a “move it, lady” kind of action or a “hey, i’m hungry” or even “groom me, peasant.” As you both get more comfortable around each other it will become easier to read each other so you will understand what she wants and she will learn to express herself without using her teeth… unless you try to touch her feet and then all bets are off and she will turn into the Monty Python bunny… oh wait, never mind. That’s only my bunny >_<

Good luck. Remember, she’s still very much a baby and it’ll take some time and patience from both of you.

[LBJ10]

Some will do it for attention or to get something they want. Leopold was really bad with this. He is getting better, but trying to communicate with him that it is inappropriate behavior has been difficult (he’s deaf). Everyone has given you good advice. Try squealing to see if she responds. Normally that tells the bunny that they are hurting you and they learn not to do it anymore. And do pay attention to what else is happening when she does it. That way you know the reason behind the nipping.

[silverwolf]

Thanks everyone for your help! Clover seems to know difference between skin and clothes now. However she still nips/tugs on my clothes. I’m afraid that if she keeps on doing that she might bite through them. I think she’s just exploring with her teeth, though, so should I still squeal when she does this?

[LBJ10]

I’m more worried about them ripping a hole in my shirt. LOL
You can certainly let them know that being rough with your clothes isn’t acceptable.

[Baxter n Boos Mom]

My husband had a diva bunny – that would bite holes in his tshirts whenever she felt he wasn’t paying enough attention to her. His Tshirts had LOTS of holes 🙂 So yes- better to get her nipping under control now…

[Author]

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