putting head on the ground

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 7sd replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 13 years ago by MunchMom.

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- 03/19/2013 at 12:23 AM
  bunnylova123
  Participant
  255 posts
  When my bunny wants to be stroked he puts his head flat on the ground, and pushes his head into my hand, he does this to the rabbit he is being bonded with too, she usually responds by nipping him , touching noses, or pressing her cheek next to his. Is this dominant, and telling her to groom him, or is it submissive and showing he doesn’t want to hurt her?
- 03/19/2013 at 12:28 AM
  Monkeybun
  Participant
  10479 posts
  It’s a dominant posture, he is demanding grooms.
- 03/19/2013 at 12:38 AM
  bunnylova123
  Participant
  255 posts
  I never thought of him as dominant, but, thinking about it they do this thing where one puts their head on the floor, sits up, then the other one goes on the floor! Oreo does it more though.
- 03/19/2013 at 2:47 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17030 posts
  It does seem dominant. My rabbit does this to my mother when she comes to visit. I think it’s dominant because if she won’t pet him, he attacks her feet and bites her, in a demanding way. “Hey, pet me, or you’ll be sorry.”
- 03/19/2013 at 4:43 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  I always think of a king or queen extending his/her hand to be kissed. It’s definitely a dominant position.
- 03/19/2013 at 4:51 AM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  lol, Beka….that is pretty fitting. My bunnies certainly act like royalty (and are treated as such too!)
- 03/20/2013 at 12:33 PM
  Eucalyptus
  Participant
  251 posts
  Posted By Beka27 on 03/19/2013 04:43 AM
  
  I always think of a king or queen extending his/her hand to be kissed. It’s definitely a dominant position.
  
  This is PERFECT.
  
  Yes, you cannot ignore it, or it’s extremely offensive to the bunny. Even if you just do a quick pet or two, or a pet, it’s a ton better than ignoring (and how could you?). That cute little “bowing down” is not a request, it is an absolute DEMAND for grooming. Making sure that you don’t ignore this will make your bunnies a lot happier.
- 03/20/2013 at 12:39 PM
  MunchMom
  Participant
  36 posts
  This may have been shared before–I’m fairly new to the forums. Have you read the Language of Lagomorphs site?
  
  http://language.rabbitspeak.com
  
  It talks a lot about this kind of behavior.
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