Territorial Bambi

[chevybunny]

When i got Bambi i knew she was territorial and thats fine. I have experience with aggressive bunnies but never had to really train one [never had a house bunny]. What is the best way to deter this behavior. She wants to kill whoever is in her area but once you pick her up she is completely fine. I have been snapping my fingers to kinda of catch her attention but it doesnt always work. She still bites. Any ideas would be nice Also..how do you train a boyfriend NOT to bug the bunny? rofl.

[jerseygirl]

So is she cage aggressive? Is she in a cage, condo or pen? When she bites, you can push her head down gently, just behind the head. Only for a few seconds. You don’t want her to start fearing you or your hands. Alternatively you let out a high pitch squeak. Speak her language so to speak. Can you allow her space to be hers? Once she comes out on her own, or lured with treats, then work on your bonding with her in the shared space and built some trust.

For the bf? I don’t know. A Tazer? j/k ;o)

[Beka27]

Is she “fine” when she is picked up, or is she very frightened and in a frozen postition when picked up?  There is a big difference.  I’d try to interact with her more on ground level while you work this out.  Being picked up is very stressful for most bunnies.  Can she hop in and out of her cage by herself?  Do you know what is triggering the aggression, is it the food, or just being in her space period?  It seems that the smaller the rabbit’s space, the more territorial they are of it.  Think of it this way: they have very little that is theirs, so they’ll fight to the death to protect it.  What kind of housing is she in?  If it’s a petstore cage, you may want to switch her to a condo or xpen that gives her a larger area.  That might make a world of difference in how she feels.

Here are a couple links regarding aggression…

Taming the Aggressive Rabbit - HRN

FAQ: Aggression - HRS

[chevybunny]

Bambis aggression seems to be only in her area, which is a large X-pen with a litterbox and a little house. She does get kinda pissed off at me when i move her food dish [to where its SUPPOSED to go lol] but she always moves it back to the back and dumps her food. I need to find a not-movable dish now lol. She is the sweetest little bunny when you hold her. She nuzzles, gives bunny kisses and falls asleep once she knows shes safe. I think the aggression is mainly territorial but she doesnt like anything in her face period. I dont know if thats because she is small and everything else is large or what. I have found out that as long as she sees your hand first she is a little calmer. She is a thumper too…thanks for the links

[bunnytowne]

Ahh as long as she sees your hand first.    Yes glad  you picked up on that.

When I would move my hand too fast and pet Ruby  too close to her chin she would nip and growl.  I learned to move slow and pet her on top her head.  Where she liked it and tried to move her head under my hand.

HOlding the buns head down will help deter the aggression.  Usually.  and moving your hand slower may also help. 

Yes a non moveable bowl sounds ideal.  Hopefully she won’t dig the food out of the bowl.

Rabbits can be particular as to where their stuff is. Laith would move his bowls to where he wanted them so I eventually gave in and put them where he wanted them even though it seemed to me to be in his way.  With buns who knows.   NO telling what they think sometimes.

[bunnytowne]

By the way does she have cardboard, newspaper, a phonebook in a box to play with?  That may help occupy her hopefully and leave the food dish alone once you find a non moveable one.

[chevybunny]

We put a few toilet paper rolls in there as well as a piece of wood but she doesnt play with them much. I bought some cat toys for her and she seems to occupy herself with those a little more. I though a ceramic bowl would be heavy enough for her..yea right! She may be little but she is strong. lol.

[bunnytowne]

There are these bird dishes cups feed bowls whatever  that attach to the cage.  There is a screw to hold it in place.   Maybe that would keep her from throwing the bowl around.   Well since the ceramic is not heavy enuf after all…

Seems like throwing is her play style.  I have bought chew toys from pet stores too and they don’t hardly touch them.  So I buy online and they really like those better.  And willow chews too

Then again all buns are different. 

OH my you have a little noisemaker there.  tehheee hehhaa. 

Sometimes I hear Ruby jumping around in her cage at nite.  From her shelf to the floor to the litterbox and so on.  I am usually a real heavy sleeper.  Hubby gets woke up sometimes by her.

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