Re-Bonding

[Harveybunny]

Hey guys!

So my rabbit has started shedding. I would do a little plucking several times a day to make sure he doesn’t swallow too much and get a hairball. He has just about shed all of his fur now. Unfortunately, the constant picking up and plucking has ruined the bond we had. He no longer wants to be petted,-like ever.

I have a plan for re bonding

Plan:

Sit in play area with book/homework. Allow him to come up to me on his own terms. If he comes near my hand slowly reach out to pet him. Check.* If he runs away, go back to reading. Repeat until play session is over.

* Check is this thing I do to “ask” him if he wants to be petted. I put my hand just over his forehead and gently stroke the fur. If he holds still, I continue to run my hand down his back. He knows if I do this I am about to pet him, so he runs away if he doesn’t want it.

So far, he comes up to me and sniffs me, and even jumped onto my back on one occasion.

So what do you guys think?

[Nutmeg]

Hey!
Sorry this hasn’t been answered yet – but I think that’s a great idea. He will warm up to you faster than when he needed to the first time. He’s just mad at you right now for being an annoying human and picking him and and bugging him lol

You do need to be prepared for this to happen again…. and again…. lol. Maybe if you get him more used to you at ground level you can try plucking him on the floor instead of having to pick him up. Yes he needs to be used to being picked up (even if he never likes it) for emergencies and for toe nail clippings, but maybe if you can do half while he’s on the ground while he’s jumping buy you and just a few times when having to pick him up it wont be so bad for him?

I’ve been trying to use lint rollers on my bunnies for theirs – I just roll it on me first to get some of the SUPER stickyness of, as they have short hair. But this is my first malt with them too. Penny (the girl) could care less, and Rupert (the boy) HATES it and growls at me.
SO I can totally relate to them being mad at you after haha.

How are things going now?

[kurottabun]

That could work

Also if your bunny is a treat monster like most buns, I find that giving a treat helps. Maybe give him a treat after you’re done grooming so he associates the process with something positive?

Instead of picking him up for grooming sessions, you could also try plucking his fur when he’s eating so he’s distracted and won’t be as focused on the fact that you’re plucking his fur. I normally groom Kurotta when he’s eating or lounging. It’s been working great so far!

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