Shy Baby Bunny Who shouldn’t be shy!

[Pumpkins Mommy]

Hi! I just got my very first bunny Pumpkin about two weeks ago, he is 8 weeks old and I got him from a breeder  who I know for a fact handles their bunnies from a very young age (i.e. picking up, petting, grooming, giving them love). I brought Pumpkin home and he was very skiddish, didn’t like to be picked up at all and it took me about a week to even be able to pet him without a fuss. He used to come out of his hutch and into his playpen that I attached quite often even with me in it, he would come over to me and give me sniffs and let me pet him. Recently, within the past few days he has returned to being skiddish- he lurks at the entrance of his hutch, obviously curious as he responds to my voice and looks like he wants to come out, but he hops back in quickly after coming out. I’m confused- he’s signaling that he wants to play, but whenever I engage him outside of his hutch he is not having it. He will however let me pet him when he’s in the comfort of his hutch. Is this normal? I’m confused about the change in his behavior. He’s supposed to be friendly and ok with being picked up and handled… the breeder told me just to force him into being held and picked up and eventually he’ll be ok… is this good advice? Everything i’ve read about bunnies says let them go at thier own pace… advice anyone?

[Mr. Bun-bun]

So to start with bringing a bunny to a new place is huge. Pumkin is really going to need time to adjust. Secondly handling a bunny from birth is ok, however, the oldee they get the more hard headed they become. They know what they like and what the don’t. If insist on picking him up he maybe become scared of you and not trust you any more. Get in his level and give him time to get to know you and his new place. What kind of bun is he he? He kind of looks like my Mr.Bun-bun

[Pumpkins Mommy]

Pumpkin is a Holland lop, he’s very cute 🙂 i know i should give it time i was just thrown off by how his behavior changed.. and that the breeder essentially reprimanded me for not forcing him into being picked up and handled.. she made me feel like I was doing something wrong but from what I heard I just need to let him be. All of his brothers and sisters that have gone to homes are affectionate and like being handled… I guess I just took it personally. 🙁

[Mr. Bun-bun]

He is super cute!! Congratulations on becoming a bun mom. We all want are cute little bundels of fur to want to be cuddled and snuggled, however, they are of a difference of opinion. He will come around. Just sit on the floor and coax him with some treats. If you ignore him it might pique his curiosity.

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