Territorial Bunny, Part 2

[sevyn]

After a couple weeks of trying miscellaneous alternate methods, my bun is still heckling me about territory. However, she seems to have no problems with anything except for, in specific, me and my boyfriend. She runs around whatever area I pen off for her and does nothing but some occasional chinning. If she has access to us, though, she has the occasional angry outburst where she’ll charge over, run circles and stamp her feet, and eventually do what I can only interpret as an apology by grooming.
I guess I really just have a question about this: I know part of it is the fact she isn’t fixed, but is there anything I can do to have her be less hostile towards us in the meantime? Would a show of dominance (pushing her head down, etc.) potentially help?  I’m at my wit’s end because i want to let her run free but I can’t stand having her trying to get underfoot and risking stepping on her just to let me know that SHE’s the leader.

[BinkyBunny]

I think it couldn’t hurt to TRY the head method. It can make some bunnies more aggressive, while with others it gets the point across.    One thing to note is when you try one thing, stick with it for awhile instead of trying several things within a couple weeks. (unless the one thing, like gently pushing your bunny’s head down makes her obviously more aggressive)  Bunnies are very habit oriented and it can take time to see if one method would break that habit.

I think you will see a big difference when she is fixed.  The running in circles and then stomping could be a sign of sexual frustration. SO you could give her a companion toy bunny (make sure the fibers of the toy don’t easily come out) and see if that works.   She can take out all of her frustration and blame him for not "doing the deed" in her time of need.

Before giving her her new toy companion, be sure to get either her scent or your scent on it.  So you either sleep with the toy bunny, or put an old shirt or some piece of clothing (worn) on the bunny, or you brush your bunny, take the fur from the brush and rub it all over the toy bunny.

Let us know if that works at all!  I’m keeping my fingers crossed for ya!

 

 

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